Voluntary Recall of Certain Lots of Haemophilus Influenza Type b (Hib) Vaccine Produced by Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co. announced that it has initiated a voluntary recall in the United States for certain lots of PedvaxHIB® [Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)] and COMVAX® [Haemophilus b Conjugate (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate) and Hepatitis B (Recombinant) Vaccine]. CDC understands that this recall will present several challenges to public health and provider partners. They are working rapidly to gather and assess information which will allow them to develop guidance for immunization providers and their patients.
For additional information please click on http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/recalls/hib-recall-faqs-12-12-07.htm

More Frequent Checkups Recommended for Urban Children with Asthma

Current asthma guidelines calling for checkups every six months after diagnosis may be too infrequent for inner-city children diagnosed with the condition. That's the finding of a study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center, published in the November issue of Pediatrics. Given the unpredictable nature of asthma in inner-city children, researchers are recommending four or more checkups per year to prevent dangerous flare-ups of wheezing and trips to the emergency department. The study also reports that asthma control, not the severity of the disease at diagnosis, is a more accurate predictor of a child's risk for flare-ups. Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic illness, affecting 6.2 million children in the United States.

Read the full article at:
http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/pages/news/
pressdetails.cfm?newsid=397

Health Disparities Webcast

Today's Topics In Health Disparities Federal Legislative Efforts to Address Health Disparities between Racial and Ethnic Groups
Dec. 14, 2007 at 9 a.m. ET
(http://www.kaisernetwork.org/todaystopics/14dec07)


Nearly a dozen bills have been introduced in the 110th Congress that
focus on addressing health disparities or minority health, and other
legislative initiatives have included provisions to address disparities. On Friday,Dec. 14, 2007, at 9 a.m. ET, the Kaiser Family Foundation will host a live, interactive webcast discussing current federal legislative efforts to address health disparities between racial and ethnic groups, and the factors that may influence the outcome of these efforts.

Save-the-Date! Grace & Gratitude: A Health Ministry Journey

Please save the date to attend the 12th Annual Virginia Faith Community Health Ministry Retreat from April 27-29, 2008 at the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, 9275 Barnes Road, Toano, Virginia 23168. Hosted by Bon Secours Richmond and Bon Secours Hampton Roads Faith Community Health Ministries.

GoingSmokeFree.org: A Toolkit for Implementing Smoke-Free Laws

The Site is a Clearinghouse of Activities, Events, and Tools for States and Communities in Planning, Implementing and Supporting Smoke-Free Laws
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, has created GoingSmokeFree.org, a free online resource to help states and communities implement smoke-free laws.

- Go to the toolkit.
- Learn more, and view other resources.

You have received this e-mail alert because you have elected to receive information from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on: Public Health and Tobacco.

Cover the Uninsured Week - April 27, 2008 - May 3, 2008

Cover the Uninsured Week 2008 will be held April 27-May 3! Mark your calendars and start planning to help 47 million uninsured Americans—including more than 9 million children—get the coverage they need.

There are many ways for you and your community to get involved in Cover the Uninsured Week 2008:

(1) Host an enrollment event at a hospital, community center, or school
(2) Organize a health coverage forum with community, business and faith leaders
(3) Plan a seminar for small business owners
(4) Distribute information about available low-cost and free health coverage
programs to uninsured individuals and families

Many Cover the Uninsured planning guides are available to help you get started and promotional materials will be coming soon! Visit www.CoverTheUninsured.org for more information and the most current facts and latest news on the issue.

CINCH Needs Your Help - 2007 Salvation Army Toy Drive

For the past 3 years, CINCH has partnered with the Salvation Army Toy Drive to provide screening for health insurance for the many children who will be receiving toys from the drive. We’ve enrolled hundreds of children in FAMIS from this partnership outreach over the past 3 years, and screened over 30,000 families. Many of you have volunteered in years past – thank you! We are asking CINCH members and partners to volunteer for one (or more!) three hour shift.

CINCH invites YOU to volunteer during the 2007 Salvation Army’s Toy Drive. No prior experience is needed. All you need is a smiling face and willing heart!

WHAT:Volunteers (YOU!) will ask families standing in line if their children have health insurance or not, hand out materials and complete a brief referral form with the parents of children who need health insurance that would like assistance. They will then direct the family to the “right” location at the Toy Drive to get their assistance. CINCH will have one lead person on hand to orient volunteers on site. We need 2 volunteers on weekdays, and 4 volunteers on Friday/Saturday, as these are the highest volume days.

WHEN:Fri. 12/14 and Sat. 12/15; Mon. 12/17 thru Sat. 12/22

WHERE:4725 Virginia Beach Blvd. (former HQ bldg. in Pembroke area)

The volunteer time schedule is set in 3 hr. blocks. 9 am -12 pm (noon)
and 1 pm -4 pm. If you cannot spend three hours at a time, any amount of participation will be appreciated and we’ll work you into the schedule.

We will need at least 4 volunteers on Friday and Saturday. One person will be designated as a lead person. That person will be able to answer your questions and keep the staffing record.

Training information will be provided as requested. Contact us at 668-6447 to get an overview of the activity and information as well as the toy drive procedure. Materials will be provided: referral forms, brochures, clipboards, pens, etc.

Contact P. Smith at 668-6447 or email at smithpe@evms.edu