Current MCIR News
On March 29, 2013, the Journal of Pediatrics published an article evaluating the issue of “too many vaccines too soon” and the development of autism. This study is the first of its kind. The article, “Increasing exposure to antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines is not associated with risk of autism”, is available online in the Journal of Pediatrics.
A primary concern from parents is the number of vaccines administered, both on a single day and cumulatively over the first 2 years of life. In this study, researchers concluded that there is no association between receiving “too many vaccines too soon” and autism.
- The findings showed that the amount of antigens from vaccines received on one day of vaccination or in total during the first two years of life is not related to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
- The study found that the total amount of antigens from vaccines received was the same between children with ASD and those that did not have ASD.
- The study also evaluated two sub-categories of ASD – autistic disorder and ASD with regression – and found no relationship with the number of vaccine antigens received in either of these categories.
- A 2004 comprehensive review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that there is not a causal relationship between certain vaccine types and autism, and this study strengthens that conclusion.
- The authors point out that infants are exposed to many bacteria and viruses naturally from the time of birth and that the relatively small number of antigens contained in vaccines would not be expected to have a particular effect on the immune system.
- The study also found that although the current vaccination schedule for young children contains more vaccines than were recommended in the late 1990s, the number of antigens in the vaccines has dropped substantially.
Additional Resources
- 2013 IOM Report on Childhood Immunization Schedule and Safety
- Autism Spectrum Disorders: What You Should Know
Keep conversations open regarding questions that may arise from parents and patients. CDC offers some great handouts.
- Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
Today, CDC released ACIP recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease. This report compiles and summarizes all current recommendations from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding prevention and control of meningococcal disease in the United States. As a comprehensive summary of previously published recommendations that does not contain any new recommendations, this report is intended for use by clinicians as a resource.
Meningococcal disease describes the spectrum of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis, including meningitis, bacteremia, and bacteremic pneumonia. Meningococcal disease develops rapidly, typically among previously healthy children and adolescents, and results in high morbidity and mortality.
Resources:
- A Quick Look at Using Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines (Menactra and Menveo) can be found at www.michigan.gov/immunize under “Quick Looks and Other Resources.”
- The VFC resolution on Vaccines to Prevent Meningococcal Disease is posted on the CDC website.
Medscape, 3/11/13: Immunization Wanes After Last Dose of DTaP Vaccines
This study showed similar results to some other studies that were released in the past six months.
It is critical that children complete the DTaP series, per current ACIP recommendations. Completion of the series provides optimal protection. Pertussis vaccination is still the best way to fight the disease and is a very important tool, especially since there is a lot of ongoing pertussis activity in the U.S.
Remember that MCIR is a great tool to help assess completion of the DTaP series for children.
***********
The January issue of CDC's Immunization Works! Newsletter is now posted on the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks/default.htm
***********
The 2011 National Immunization Survey for teens (NIS-Teen) has been issued in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6134a3.htm?s_cid=mm6134a3_e
Michigan-specific highlights include:
Increase in one or more doses of Tdap – 66.2% (2010) to 71.0% (2011)
Increase in one or more doses of MCV4 – 70.9% (2010) to 77.9% (2011)
Increase in one or more doses of HPV (females) – 49.4% (2010) to 55.6% (2011)
Increase in three or more doses of HPV (females) – 25.2% (2010) to 31.6% (2011)
Increase in two or more doses of Var (without a reported history of Varicella disease) – 64.3% (2010) to 80.3% (this represents a statistically significant percentage point increase from 2010)
The 2011 NIS-Teen sampled telephone numbers from both landline and cellular-telephone sampling frames. Learn more about this new method here: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/dual-frame-sampling-08282012.htm.
For more information on NIS-Teen: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/default.htm#nisteen
The Body Mass Index (BMI) Growth Module In the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (BMI) has been developed for the use by clinics for their pediatric patients 0 to 18 years of age. The BMI Growth Module includes fields to enter height/length, weight, weight counseling, nutrition counseling, and physical activity counseling. Click here for details
Providers/EHR Vendors: are you familiar with the EHR Meaningful Use Incentive? Are you interested in getting certified for Meaningful Use with MCIR? Click here for more information.
E-Ordering is a new feature in MCIR for VFC Providers. Please click here for more information.
Return to the Resource Library: Click here
Return to the Provider Section of the Resource Library: Click here
Return to the Local Health Department Section of the Resource Library: Click here
