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What's New AAP Releases New Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
Kellogg Company Recalls Austin and Keebler Peanut Butter Products
SCHIP Bill Passed in House of Representatives
E-Prescribing Incentive Program Update
Continued Shortage of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines
Newly discovered Ebola virus associated with hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Uganda
Resources
SCHIP Bill Passed in House of Representatives House of Representatives passed legislation expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program by more than $32 billion over five years. The House passed the SCHIP bill on January 14, 2009. The SCHIP bill passed by a vote of 289-139. For more information, click here.
Kellogg Company Recalls Austin and Keebler Peanut Butter Products The Kellogg Co. announced January 14th that it is recommending that consumers not eat its peanut butter crackers because they may be tainted with salmonella. The products affected are Austin and Keebler branded: - Toasted peanut butter sandwich crackers.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich crackers.
- Cheese and peanut butter sandwich crackers.
- Peanut butter-chocolate sandwich crackers.
The Michigan-based maker of cereals and snacks posted the recommendation in a statement on its Web site. Peanut butter produced by Peanut Corporation of America, one of several peanut butter suppliers to the company, has been linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning that has affected at least 434 people in 43 states, federal health officials said Wednesday. According to the Kellogg statement, "Kellogg Company's investigation has not indicated any concerns, nor has the company received any consumer illness complaints about these products.” Though consumers are urged "to hold the product until we have more information," Charles recommended anyone seeking a refund call 888.314.2060 for details about how to get one.
AAP Releases New Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule The new recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule urges an annual influenza vaccine for all children, ages 6 months through age 18, all eligible close contacts of children 0 through age 4, and contacts of children ages 5 through 18 who have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications. The new schedule also includes the dosage schedule for a second oral rotavirus vaccine recently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. The immunization schedule has been approved by the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Go to the AAP's website for more information.
E-Prescribing Incentive Program Update The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the specifications for the E-Prescribing measure, which will be used to determine whether an eligible professional is a successful E-Prescriber and may qualify for a 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period, has been posted to the CMS website. The measure specifications may be found in the “Downloads” section of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program webpage on the CMS website. An eligible professional does not have to enroll in order to participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. Furthermore, an eligible professional does not need to participate in PQRI in order to participate in this incentive program. Beginning January 1, 2009, eligible professionals may participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program by submitting information required by the E-Prescribing measure on their Medicare Part B claims. Detailed information on the implementation of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program for 2009 may be found in the final 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule with comment period that was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2008. A copy of the final rule with comment period is on display at the Federal Register and can be viewed on the CMS website.
Continued Shortage of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines In December 2007, Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of two Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, PedvaxHIB (monovalent Hib vaccine) and Comvax (Hib-HepB vaccine) and suspended production of both vaccines, disrupting the U.S. supply of Hib vaccine. When the recall was announced, Merck projected restoration of these vaccines to the U.S. market in late 2008. On October 17, 2008, Merck announced that restoration of the two vaccines to the market would be delayed until mid-2009. Because the continued delay might result in an increase in Hib disease, national surveillance for invasive Hib disease has become particularly important. For the full story, click here.
Newly discovered Ebola virus associated with hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Uganda Researchers from the United States and Uganda have released the first full scientific report on a new Ebola species that struck western Uganda late last year and was linked to 149 suspected cases and 37 deaths. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some patients have both internal and external bleeding. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease. During the 2007 outbreak, officials were puzzled because patients had unusual initial symptoms such as vomiting and others that resembled malaria, according to previous reports. Officials didn't suspect Ebola right away, because some of the early case patients didn't have external bleeding. For the full story, click here.
Practice FAQs NAPNAP's Professional Issues Committee posts answers to several practice-related Frequently Asked Questions on NAPNAP's website. Attention new grads! PNPs have been contributing to the healthcare of America's children for more than 35 years. But, PNPs face several challenges in today's healthcare marketplace. Competition with other providers for available positions is keen and PNPs must promote those attributes that make them stand out as the best choices for providing high quality health services to children. As a service to our members, NAPNAP has developed a comprehensive guide of career resources for PNPs. As you graduate from your PNP Program, give yourself a leg up by ordering NAPNAP's Career Resource Kit. Visit the NAPNAP Online Store to order yours today. Revised: 1/15/2009
Reviewed: 1/15/2009
Created:2005 
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