Synopsis for July 15, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Update: Syringe Exchange Programs ― United States, 2002
2. Rapid Assessment of Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among HMO Members ― Northern California Influenza Seasons, 2001-02 Through 2004-05
3. West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, 2005

Update: Syringe Exchange Programs ― United States, 2002

A national survey conducted by New York’s Beth Israel Medical Center finds that the total number of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) known by the North American Syringe Exchange Network to be operating in the United States decreased nearly 4 percent between 2000 and 2002.

The total number of syringes exchanged by the programs participating in the survey, however, increased more than 10 percent, from 22.6 million to 24.9 million. The survey summarizes activities of 126 SEPs operating in 102 cities. In addition to providing new sterile syringes in exchange for used, often potentially infectious ones, nearly all of the SEPs offer other important public health services, including HIV prevention education 90percent, education on safer injection practices 88 percent, substance-abuse treatment referrals 77percent, and voluntary HIV counseling and testing 72 percent. As a result of such efforts, SEPS can provide a pathway to prevention, treatment, and care for individuals at risk for HIV. In addition, SEPs provide for the safe disposal of millions of potentially infectious syringes that might otherwise end up in the community.

Rapid Assessment of Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among HMO Members ― Northern California Influenza Seasons, 2001-02 Through 2004-05

Despite limited supplies, influenza vaccine coverage was similar or higher than previous flu seasons for children 6 to 23 months and person aged 65 and older. Vaccination coverage for non-priority groups was significantly lower than in previous years.

A new study published by CDC using data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink and Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) for the 2004 – 05 flu season, when the nation experienced limited supplies of influenza vaccine, show vaccine was appropriately targeted to two groups at greatest risk for complications from influenza -- children aged 6 to 23 months and those 65 and older. During the 2004 – 05 flu season, the VSD team and Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) used a newly developed system to make weekly estimates of influenza vaccination coverage. This was the first time a system updated on a weekly basis was used to estimate vaccine coverage in a large population of insured individuals.

West Nile Virus Activity ― United States, 2005

No Summary Available.

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