AAP Spearheads New Immunization Alliance
The AAP Executive Director, Errol Alden, MD, FAAP called leaders from 15 organizations together at the American Academy of Pediatrics headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL, to discuss recapturing the public’s trust in immunizations. The meeting was held on May 30, 2008 in response to the #1 resolution from the Annual Leadership Forum.
More information will be in the July issue of AAP News. In order to support its members in the meantime, the Academy has developed several resources for parents and pediatricians posted on the CISP Web Site.

Information from Wisconsin Health Department reviewing acceptible evidence for immune status for measles.

Measles Investigation and Control Guidelines

Immunize.org - Excellent, frequently updated website.

New Contraindications Policy.

Immunization & Infectious Disease Committee Report.

Wisconsin Immunization Program website contains vaccine information and links to other important immunization pages and sites.

Vaccine Handling Tips - Guidelines for safely handling and properly storing vaccines.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine
A Summer 2008 note from Infectious Disease Committee Chair and one of our board members, James H. Conway, MD:
As you are probably aware, there has been some media attention again raised recently by some of the anti-HPV vaccine groups about Gardasil. Essentially, they have taken information from the VAERS system and made claims about safety which have been picked up by the media and the internet blogosphere (I think that’s a word).
The CDC has developed the attached informational sheet about the vaccine with responses to these issues. No change in HPV immunization programs is recommended, but I thought this might be useful to those of you who may field questions.
Additional information for providers about HPV vaccine safety can be found on the AAP Web site.

Preteens need immunizations before going back to school.