June 13-15

New and Reemerging Infectious Diseases: A Clinical Course, jointly sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to be held at the JW Marriott Hotel at Lenox in Atlanta, GA. CDC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians and designates this activity for a maximum of 18 hours of category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.*

July 21-24

1998 Immunization Information Materials Exchange (IIMEX) Program , sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 32nd National Immunization Conference, to be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA.*

August 20

Antimicrobial Use and Resistance: Solutions to the Problem , a videoconference co-sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, to be broadcast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m., EDT. For more information, contact 1-888-CDC-FAXX and reference document number 130018.

August 20

The 17th Annual NFID Golf Tournament , to be held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn and Golf Course in San Diego, CA.*

To better serve its reader needs, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) wants to know what you think. The September 1998 issue of The Double Helix(r) will include a readership survey-the goal of which is to make sure that NFID is providing its readers with information that is both important and interesting.

NFID will strive to incorporate the readers' recommendations into upcoming issues. We look forward to your participation in the survey and encourage your prompt response upon receipt. Your participation will ensure that The Double Helix(r) is serving the needs of NFID readers.

Due to the overwhelming number of requests for immunization "how-to" guidelines, the National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI) is designing an immunization program directory that will provide information on existing immunization programs and educational campaigns that could serve as models.

The directory, which was the result of the model programs initiative outlined by NCAI Advisory Committee members in May 1998, will be available by mid-October of this year. The purpose of the directory is to provide the public with sample immunization programs and campaigns from which to learn and develop their own programs.

"NCAI staff frequently receive requests from community-based organizations, school nurses, state and local health departments, and others searching for guidelines on how to implement immunization services and educational programs," said NCAI Director Asha M. George, DrPH, MSPH. "This model programs initiative is NCAI's response to those requests. "

The program directory will include detailed information on each immunization program including intended program outcomes; details on program implementation; information on program partners; and necessary resources. A contact name for each program will be provided to facilitate networking among existing and new programs. A section on lessons learned from other model programs also will be provided.

This past May, NCAI staff distributed program guidelines to its member organizations, state and local health departments, community-based organizations, and others. The guidelines included eligibility criteria and directions for submitting program information. This year's initiative will focus on programs that provide immunization services or education to minority populations. Eligible programs include those that provide immunization services or education; that focus on vaccine consumers and/or providers; are collaborative in nature; and have a state or local focus.