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A new vaccine has been effective in all but eradicating common causes of pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections in children. But researchers have found that new strains of bacteria not covered by the vaccine have emerged.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have noted an increase in the rates of bacterial infections not covered by the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV7 among native children in Alaska. Researchers said with routine childhood vaccination, one concern has been the potential for emergence and expansion of replacement disease. The study is reported in the April 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers found that in the three years after the introduction of the Prevnar vaccine in 2000, these diseases fell by 67% among native Alaskan children younger than age 2. However, since 2004, diseases caused by strains of bacteria not covered by the vaccine have risen by 140% compared with the prevaccine period.

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With more states considering laws to require hospitals to report healthcare-associated infections (HAI), it's important for infection control professionals (ICP) to stay on top of proposed regulations in their home states, says Shannon Oriola, RN, CIC, COHN, an IC consultant at Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus in San Diego.

ICPs should also get involved with ongoing discussions about these issues, because many questions remain about how these new requirements will be shaped in the future. Other infection-prevention initiatives might offer financial incentives for hospitals that comply or penalties to facilities that don't comply with established infection control criteria.

To learn more about the public reporting of HAIs, go to www.hcpro.com/content/68914.cfm. The cost is $10. Briefings on Infection Control subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

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