They offer free birth control and screening services for young or low-income women and girls. They also have support groups and counselors to work with teens who are pregnant. Phone: 1 (800) 230-PLAN [7526]

Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Phone: 1-800-343-7265

Provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the "club locator" button found on their website. Phone: (630) 571-5466 x393

A VSP charity that provides free vision exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children. Operates nationally through a network of community partners who identify children in need and VSP network doctors who provide the eyecare services. Call 1-800-877-7195 Monday - Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pacific Time to speak with Member Services.

Merck & Co., Inc. announced the launch of a national print, television and online advertising campaign for the world's first cervical cancer vaccine, GARDASIL® [Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine]. Adding to Merck's ongoing cervical cancer and HPV education efforts, the new campaign, called One Less, encourages females who are eligible for the vaccine to begin their vaccination series and to also continue to see their doctor for regular healthcare and screening.

To help raise awareness of influenza vaccination recommendations and the importance of continuing vaccination efforts throughout November and beyond, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, partners and stakeholders will be announcing a National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) from Monday, November 27th through Sunday, December 3rd, 2006.

Following the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a vaccine targeting cervical cancer, Women in Government, a national, bi-partisan, non-profit organization representing women state legislators, today recommended that all girls entering middle school be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer. The recommendation is part of the group's new policy recommendations for the HPV vaccine's implementation in the states. The group also supports parental exemptions to the HPV vaccine, based on existing state immunization exemptions. The new HPV vaccine policy recommendations are part of Women in Government's "Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign," which mobilizes state legislators to help eradicate cervical cancer through education and policy initiatives. Since 2004, 45 states have introduced legislation or resolutions tackling this issue.

Preventionof Tetanus,Dhiphteria and Pertussis among pregnant women. ACIP voted on June 30, 2006.

CDC released a revised interim Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for Tdap vaccine. It is identical to the previous interim version except for minor changes in Section 3 that reflect ACIP's evolving recommendations regarding use of Tdap during pregnancy.

The June /July edition of the HepTalk Listserv will be devoted to Cultural Compentency. We're very pleased to welcome Dr. Jennie McLauren as the Listserv Editor for June 2006.

New ACIP recommendations on HPV and Varicella vaccines. Update Mumps Outbreak.Influenza Season Update.