Communicable Disease and Immunizations in the News

May 2008:

May 3, 2008--Vaccines: We're all in this together, City of Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Bevan K. Baker's article in the Sunday Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (click for link). 

April 2008:

April 19- 26, 2008--National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)--is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities.  Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization.  Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine preventable diseases before age two.  Please visit the CDC's website for more information.    

December:

December 12, 2007-- Merck and Co., Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 1 million doses of HIB containing vaccine, including 10 lots of PedvaxHIB and 2 lots of COMVAX.  Below are links to additional information about this recall.

Detailed recall information from Merck

Letter to healthcare providers from Merck

Interim Recommendations for the Use of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines Related to the Recall of Certain Lots of Hib-Containing Vaccines (PedvaxHIB ® and Comvax ® ) Click here

November:

The MHD Immunization Program provided flu vaccine at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum on Wauwatosa Savings Bank & FOX 6 Neighborhood Night Thursday November 15, 2007 from  5:00 - 8:00 pm. 

October:

October 19, 2007: Staph/MRSA infections Update

National and local news outlets have recently reported increases in staph infections in schools and other institutional settings across the United States.  In particular, media reports have focused on outbreaks or isolated cases of invasive staph disease (bloodstream and organ) as well as antibiotic-resistant forms of the bacteria (MRSA) that can result in severe and sometimes life threatening conditions.

While ³staph² (Staphylococcus aureus) infections are not uncommon and generally result in mild skin infections in many persons, both MRSA and invasive forms of staph  infections can result in serious disease, especially for elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions. Sometimes, these infections can occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Staph is transmitted through direct contact or contact with contaminated articles such as clothing, shared athletic equipment or personal hygiene items (towels, brushes, razors, etc.).  Attached is a fact sheet on Staph/MRSA infections provided by the United States Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) that provides further information click here.

At this time, the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has not received any reports of staph or MRSA disease nor is it investigating any outbreaks of staph or MRSA infections in schools or other settings within the
community. However, given the recent media attention toward this public health issue, we would like to remind individuals of the following preventative measures:

* Practice good hand-washing using soap and water after using the toilet.
* Clean all open cuts, abrasions or wounds with soap and water and change dressings as needed.
* Avoid sharing common articles of clothing, athletic equipment and personal hygiene items unless laundered and disinfected prior to use.
* Place disposable items soiled by bodily fluids in trash (diapers, dressings, etc.)
* Disinfect surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids using common household bleach and water.

Persons that develop skin infections that are persistent and/or become red, swollen and painful should seek care from their primary medical provider.

October 2, 2007-- Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council President Willie Hines and Commissioner of Health Bevan Baker launched the city's annual influenza campaign in partnership with the Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin, who provided an on-site influenza clinic. The event was held at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum located at 929 E. Wisconsin Avenue from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

October 2, 2007-- The Morning Blend interview with Bevan K. Baker, Commissioner of Health of the City of Milwaukee Health Department for the Annual Influenza Kick-Off

Visit: http://www.themorningblend.com/ and click past shows, Tuesday October 2 ^, 2007.

September:

August:

July:

July 30, 2007— Keeping Healthy In MPS Fox 6 News Review of the Milwaukee Public Schools and City of Milwaukee Health Department immunization initiative at open enrollment July 30-August 17, 2007.  

 http://www.myfoxmilwaukee.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=8FEA42E79E97AECAE2472D9E628C2934?contentId=3924844&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1