CMA applauds University of California in efforts to increase number of immunized students Sacramento – In response to a statement issued today by the University of California, California Medical Association (CMA) president Luther Cobb, M.D. issued the following comments: “CMA and our 40,000 members applaud the University of California in their announcement today that they will require incoming students to be vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, meningococcus, tetanus and whooping cough. “For years, the rates of unvaccinated children has been slowly rising from false internet claims and so called ‘scientific’ research. However, we’ve started to see headway with legislation that passed in ... February 18, 2015 General Public Health, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH offers clinical reference tool for adult pneumococcal vaccinations The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has developed a clinical reference chart to help physicians understand and implement the new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. The chart was produced in response to the increased complexity of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recent pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. The chart summarizes the latest adult pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13 and PPSV23) recommendations for all adults age 65 and over (effective September 19, 2014, both vaccines now covered by Medicare Part B and adults 19-64 with certain underlying conditions. Download the chart here. Click here for more information ... January 29, 2015 General Immunization, Public Health, Vaccination, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
AMA HOD adopts CMA's meningococcal vaccination resolution The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD) adopted a resolution proposed by the California Medical Association (CMA) that supports meningococcal vaccinations for school children. Resolution 414 asks that the AMA support efforts to require school children to be vaccinated against meningococcal virus under the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines. Testimony on the issue reminded the delegates that this is a complex issue and recommended further investigation into why 30 percent of school children are not getting the meningococcal vaccine. The AMA Council on Science and Public Health ... June 19, 2014 General Immunization, Public Health, Vaccination, AMA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Pertussis on the rise in California The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reporting an uptick in cases of pertussis since the beginning of the year. According to the state, a total of 2,649 cases have been reported, with more than 800 new cases reported in April alone—the highest monthly count since the 2010 epidemic. Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants, especially within the first 6 months of life.Two infant mortalities have been reported this year—the first infant pertussis fatalities reported since 2010. In 2010, 9,159 total cases were reported, including ... June 18, 2014 General Public Health, Immunization, Pertussis, Whooping Cough 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Immunization Coalition Summit coming in May The 2014 California Immunization Summit will be held on May 4-5 in Sacramento. This annual summit is an opportunity for physicians to learn about community-based programs that have increased vaccination rates, and how to adapt and apply key lessons from successful programs. The summit is presented by the California Immunization Coalition, a public-private partnership dedicated to achieving and maintaining full immunization protection for all Californians to promote health and prevent serious illness. This year's program, “Harnessing the Power of Community,” includes two keynote speakers, Melinda Wharton, M.D., M.P.H., acting director ... March 27, 2014 General Public Health, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
Vaccine refusal tied to pertussis outbreak Parents refusing to vaccinate their children against pertussis (also known as whooping cough) might have played a role in the deadly 2010 outbreak in California – this according to a new study published in the October issue of Pediatrics. In 2010, 9,120 cases of pertussis were reported in California, the most since 1947. This new study examines the role of clusters of individuals who refused the vaccine. The study, “Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions and Pertussis in California, 2010," analyzes non-medical exemptions for children entering kindergarten from 2005 through 2010, and pertussis cases ... October 2, 2013 General Advocacy, Immunization, Pertussis, Whooping Cough, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
NEPO surveys L.A. physicians' immunization practices for adults Each year, vaccine preventable diseases impact the lives of millions of people in the United States. While there have been tremendous gains in vaccinating and preventing infectious diseases in children under the age of 18, due in part to the establishment of the Vaccines for Children Program in 1994, the complexity of reaching adults in need of recommended vaccinations often varies by age group, risk factors, existing medical conditions and medical insurance coverage. Last year, the California Medical Association Foundation’s Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations (NEPO), in collaboration with the ... September 25, 2013 General Immunization, NEPO, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, Public Health, CMA Foundation 0 0 Comment Read More »
