News Briefs: Clinical Practice Updates

This roundup includes the following brief clinical practice updates:

Immunizing health care workers should be the first priority when a vaccine for the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus becomes available, according to recommendations released July 13 by the World Health Organization, or WHO.

Protecting the integrity of each country's health care system, as well as its critical infrastructure, was one of three objectives set by the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, or SAGE. The group also stressed the need to reduce morbidity and mortality from H1N1 infection and the importance of reducing transmission of the virus within communities.

In addition, SAGE members noted that countries should determine their own vaccination priorities, although the group's members suggested the following groups for consideration in determining prioritization:

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet July 29 in Atlanta to address issues pertaining to the H1N1 virus. A meeting agenda is available online (1-page PDF; About PDFs).

Physicians may want to let their patients know about a public service announcement, or PSA, contest that HHS is sponsoring in preparation for the fall influenza season.

The department plans to air a 15-, 30- or 60-second message focusing on flu prevention and staying healthy. "I'm not talking about another boring educational video," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explains in a brief video posted on YouTube describing the contest. "This is your chance to be funny, dramatic or whatever you think will make the most positive impact."

The winning PSA will be broadcast on national television and featured on government agency Web sites. The prize is $2,500. Entries must be submitted by Aug. 17.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHRQ, has released plain-language guides for consumers and physicians that examine the effectiveness, safety and potential adverse effects of various treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee.

The consumer guide (4-page PDF; About PDFs) defines the condition, answers basic questions and is intended to guide patients when they discuss treatment options with their physicians. The physician guide, (4-page PDF; About PDFs) includes additional clinical information, such as a confidence scale that rates the available evidence on management of the condition.

Both guides summarize the results of a report from AHRQ that found no treatment benefit associated with the use of the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, viscosupplementation (i.e., intra-articular injection of hyaluronan), or arthroscopic surgery.

AHRQ said physicians should consider other treatments, including nonopioid pain medications, exercise and weight loss, or -- in the case of severe osteoarthritis -- knee replacement.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Wyeth is voluntarily recalling one lot of Prevnar, the company's seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. A Wyeth spokesperson said that a portion of a bulk lot of prefilled syringes that was not intended for commercial use was inadvertently packaged and distributed along with commercial product because of a labeling error. The affected lot is D50002.

The vaccine was distributed to about 1,600 providers through the CDC's Vaccines for Children, or VFC, program earlier this year. Wyeth contacted those VFC members in a letter dated July 10. The letter said there was no health or safety risk associated with the recalled product, and there is no need to revaccinate patients who received recalled vaccine.

The lot Wyeth recalled comprised more than 96,000 doses, although less than 20 percent of the lot was at issue. The recall will not create supply problems, the spokesperson said.

Physicians who have product from the lot in question should not use it and can call (800) 668-4391 to request a return kit.