Understanding California's Child Care and School Immunization Requirements and Medical Exemptions

Updated immunization requirements go into effect in California on July 1, 2019. This article covers these requirements, describes guidelines for medical exemptions, provides expert guidance regarding contraindications and precautions, and lists helpful resources.  READ MORE

Measles in LA County: Communicating with Parents and Patients about Immunizations

The current measles situation in LA County reinforces the need to ensure that patients are protected against measles. This brief provides messages that providers can use to promote the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine as well as vaccine communication tips and other resources.  READ MORE

New Recommendations on Hepatitis A Vaccine, 2-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine, and 2019 Immunization Schedules

This article highlights new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations regarding hepatitis A vaccine for people who are experiencing homelessness or who travel internationally and the new 2-dose hepatitis B vaccine. The new ACIP immunization schedules and other resources are featured as well.  READ MORE

Safe Med LA Recommendations for Safe Opioid Prescribing

Safe Med LA, a countywide coalition working to reduce prescription drug abuse and overdose deaths, has created recommendations for safe opioid prescribing.  READ MORE

DPH UPDATES

From the Los Angeles Health Alert Network (LAHAN)

• Measles in LA County DPH released a health alert (4/22/19) summarizing how to evaluate a person with possible measles, and a health update (4/26/19) with recommendations to protect patients, staff, and the community.
• Increase in Clusters of Pertussis in 11 to 18-Year-Olds in LA County LAHAN (2/19/19). See the DPH Pertussis Toolkit for fact sheets for clinicians and patients and a checklist for managing suspect cases.

Recently Released Data Briefs and Reports

• Women’s Health Indicator Infographics
• Substance Use Data Briefs
• Flu Watch - Surveillance Week 15
• West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus, and Other Arboviral Diseases 2018 Final Report

Meetings and Trainings

• Coalition to End TB Meeting – May 15, 10am-12pm. The meeting will include a review of 2018 TB data and a discussion of outreach opportunities. Meeting Flyer
• TB Continuing Education Series – Health professionals are invited to participate in person or remotely in these sessions held every other month on Fridays 9am-11:30am. Each session features a lecture and case discussion. Contact Clarissa Torres or call 213-745-1737 for more information.
• Immunization Skills Institute Trainings – LAC DPH Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program (VPDCP) holds a free four-hour training session each month for medical assistants, licensed vocational nurses, pharmacists, or anyone who provides immunizations. Training Details and Dates
• Adult Immunization Update Training – May 30, 9am-10:30 am or 1:30pm-3pm. The LAC DPH VPDCP is hosting an in-person training on the new ACIP recommendations. CEU available. Training and Registration Details
• Hands-Only CPR Trainings – Five-minute trainings are available to the public across LA County. Visit the new DPH Heart Heroes webpage for a training schedule and other resources.

Resources for Providers and Patients

View recent releases from DPH: measles posters and FAQs, a toolkit for patients on environmental issues with 3 sections (problems in the home, problems in the community, and environmental health equity), a fact sheet for employers and healthcare personnel working in Ebola areas, and mosquito-borne disease resources (Saint Louis Encephalitis FAQ, Preventing Mosquito-borne Diseases, Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors). VIEW LIST

Rx for Prevention, 2019
May;9(1).

Published: May 1, 2019