THE Double Helix Vol

THE DOUBLE HELIX Vol. 35, No. 4 | December 2010 Published by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases NFID to Present Prestigious Awards at Upcoming Gala he National Foundation for result of Dr. Beasley’s findings vaccination Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Infectious Diseases (NFID) program around the world have prevented Dr. Tedros Adhanom Tannounces honorees for its 2011 untold numbers of deaths. Ghebreyesus has served Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, as Ethiopia’s Minister March 22, 2011 —Drs. R. Palmer Beasley Dr. Beasley conducted his remarkable of Health for the past and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. research career in Taiwan, as the director of five years. Under his the American Medical Research unit at the leadership the country NFID will present the Maxwell Finland U.S. Naval Research Unit in Taipei, where has embarked on an Award for Scientific Achievement to Dr. he and his colleagues studied and wrote effort to improve the Beasley for his distinguished scientific about hepatitis B. The studies led by Dr. health of Ethiopians career in preventive medicine and infectious Beasley were “incredible in terms of size and by addressing specific diseases. The Maxwell Finland Award is thoroughness,” stated Herbert L. DuPont, diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS presented to a scientist who has made out- MD, former NFID president and recipient and to improve the structure and capacity standing contributions to the understanding of the 2007 Maxwell Finland Award. for health services, with a special emphasis of infectious diseases or public health. on maternal care. Under Dr. Beasley’s leadership the Center Dr. Ghebreyesus will be honored with the for Infectious Disease at the University Dr. Tedros made malaria elimination his Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian of Texas was established in 1989. During first priority as minister of public health. Award for his efforts to improve the health the same year Dr. Beasley lead an effort His efforts included a universal bed net of Ethiopians by addressing specific diseases to better understand the global impact of coverage program for the entire country. such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. This award AIDS. He worked to create a partnership As a result 20 million bed nets were dis- recognizes outstanding humanitarian efforts between the University of Texas and the tributed to protect 50 million persons at and achievements that have improved the University of Zambia to evaluate HIV trans- health of humankind. mission via breast milk. He also assisted (GALA, continued on page 3) in the development of the AIDS Research R. Palmer Beasley, MD and Control Center (ARCON) in Mumbai, Dr. R. Palmer Beasley, India. His collaborative efforts and adminis- Ashbel Smith Professor trative leadership earned the program a 22 IN THIS ISSUE at The University of million dollar grant from the Global Fund Texas School of Public to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. NFID Launches Influenza Health, developed an Season ..........................................2 interest in hepatitis Dr. Beasley also led a SARS taskforce in 2003 Physician Recommendation Key early in his career. Dr. to assist the government of Taiwan. He serves Factor in Mothers’ Decisions Beasley led the effort as an advisor to the WHO and other govern- about Vacinating Children to include the hepatitis ment in their hepatitis control program. against Influenza ..........................4 B vaccine in the World Health Organization’s global Expanded Dr. Beasley has received numerous awards, 2011 Traveling Professorship In Program on Immunization (EPI). Through including the Distinguished Scientist Rural Areas ..................................4 Award from the Hepatitis B Foundation. extensive research, Dr. Beasley and his col- International Experts to Discuss leagues proved that hepatitis B virus (HBV) “He has saved countless lives from cir- rhosis and liver cancer through his work Developments in Vaccine Research is a primary cause of liver cancer, and at 14th Annual Conference ........5 that a salient path of transmission is from on the epidemiology and prevention of mothers to infants during childbirth. As a hepatitis B. He is a giant in the field of Clinical Vaccinology Course infectious diseases,” said Dr. DuPont. Scheduled ....................................6 Calendar of NFID Events and Meetings .......................................7 2 t THE DOUBLE HELIX NFID Launches Influenza Season DOUBLE HELIX A Strong Showing of Support for New Universal Recommendation The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public foundation established in 1973 to educate the public and health care he National Foundation for vaccine options now with nasal spray, inject- professionals about the causes, treatment and Infectious Diseases (NFID) able and the high dose influenza vaccine prevention of infectious diseases. Tlaunched the influenza season for the elderly, as well as a plentiful supply on October 7th, bringing together of antiviral medication as a second line of BOARD OF DIRECTORS more partners than ever before to call defense in fighting influenza. President ....................................William Schaffner, MD on all Americans to get vaccinated this The panelists also addressed the importance President-Elect .........................Thomas M. File, Jr., MD season. Held at the National Press Club Vice President.................................. Patrick Joseph, MD of pneumococcal disease immunization Treasurer .................................... Larry K. Pickering, MD in Washington, DC, NFID’s Annual for those for whom it is recommended. Secretary ................................Walter A. Orenstein, MD Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference Pneumococcal vaccine can be given at the Joseph A. Bocchini, Jr., MD served as a national platform to communi- same time as influenza vaccination. Richard J. Duma, MD, PhD, Director Emeritus cate strong support for the new universal Kathryn M. Edwards, MD George C. Hill, PhD influenza immunization recommendation. New Research Insights King K. Holmes, MD, PhD NFID commissioned research to better Marguerite M. Jackson, PhD, RN A diverse panel representing ten of the understand physician and patient attitudes Kathryn B. Kirkland, MD country’s influential medical and public Donna Mazyck, RN, MS and behaviors about influenza vaccination, Peter L. Nara, DVM, PhD health groups conveyed critical public and help ensure that its communications Ronald Lee Nichols, MD health messages about influenza and pneu- were well-informed. William Schaffner, Gary A. Noskin, MD mococcal immunization. Collaborating Trish M. Perl, MD MD, NFID president, shared results that Georges Peter, MD organizations included the Centers for indicated 95 percent of US physicians will Jerald Sadoff, MD Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), be vaccinated against influenza this season. Daniel J. Sexton, MD American Medical Association (AMA), Thomas G. Slama, MD Previously reported lower vaccination rates Vincent H. Tam, PharmD American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), among all health care personnel has led to Cynthia G. Whitney, MD, MPH American College of Obstetricians the misconception that physicians don’t BOARD OF TRUSTEES and Gynecologists (ACOG), American get vaccinated. Carol J. Baker, MD Pharmacists Association (APhA), AARP, John G. Bartlett, MD “Almost all the doctors I know tell me they Tig Conger Indian Health Services, National Medical Emilio A. Emini, PhD Association (NMA) and National get vaccinated each and every year,” said Jeffrey P. Engel, MD Influenza Vaccine Summit. Dr. Schaffner. “So NFID decided to survey Craig R. Engesser this group and what we learned was very Mark B. Feinberg, MD The overriding message was loud and John H. Johnson encouraging. Physicians are practicing what Tobi Beth Karchmer, MD clear: “The best way to protect yourself they preach; they are personally committed Samuel L. Katz, MD, DSc and your family from the flu is to get William J. Ledger, MD to influenza vaccination.” Edward B. Lewin, MD vaccinated each and every year,” said G. Lynn Marks, MD keynote speaker Thomas R. Frieden, A separate consumer survey showed William J. Martone, MD MD, CDC director. “Today no one the importance of the physician rec- Sherri Michelstein, JD George A. Pankey, MD needs to ask, ‘should I get the vaccine’? ommendation in motivating patients Kevin M. Rooney The answer for everyone is ‘yes’.” to get vaccinated. Nearly seven in ten Vijay B. Samant mothers said their child’s pediatrician Leon G. Smith, MD This message was captured by broad- Edmund C. Tramont, MD cast and print media generating signifi- was the first person they would turn to C. Douglas Webb, Jr., PhD, Chairman for information about influenza and vac- Lyn Wiesinger cant national attention with coverage in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, cination noted Judith S. Palfrey, MD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FAAP, AAP Immediate Past President. Leonard Novick Bloomberg, Time and U.S. News and World Report, and more; broadcast She explained how influenza dispropor- MEDICAL DIRECTOR coverage included major networks and tionately affected pregnant women and Susan J. Rehm, MD top-tier cable stations, including CBS, young children last season, and called EDITORS NBC, ABC, FOX and C-SPAN. upon pediatricians and their OB/GYN Leonard Novick colleagues to help promote vaccination to Susan J. Rehm, MD Health experts see a nation more their patients. Laura E. Riley, MD, rep- prepared than ever to protect itself ASSOCIATE EDITOR resenting

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