Issue 1454: October 23, 2019


TOP STORIES


WORLD NEWS


FEATURED RESOURCES


EDUCATION AND TRAINING


CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

 


TOP STORIES


CDC publishes “Vaccination Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates among Children in Kindergarten—United States, 2018–19 School Year” in this week’s MMWR

CDC published Vaccination Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates among Children in Kindergarten—United States, 2018–19 School Year in the October 18 issue of MMWR (pages 905–912). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.

Nationally, nearly 95% of children entering kindergarten have received their state-required school vaccinations, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Despite the high national average, vaccination coverage varies by state and school. While the overall percentage of children with an exemption increased slightly in 2018 and 2019, children with exemptions still represent a small proportion of kindergartners in most states. Kindergarten coverage data can help states take a local approach to making sure children are protected from preventable diseases, such as measles. Schools and health departments should work together to provide credible information about vaccinations and to make sure children attending school without exemptions are vaccinated according to state vaccination requirements.


Access the complete report:

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CDC publishes “Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months among Children Born in 2015 and 2016—National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2016–2018” in this week’s MMWR

CDC published Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months among Children Born in 2015 and 2016—National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2016–2018 in the October 18 issue of MMWR (pages 913–918). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.

Most parents in the United States are protecting their children by following CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule. But according to a new CDC study, there are economic hurdles that keep some parents from getting their children vaccinated. Families that don’t have health insurance face the greatest hurdles to vaccination, and living in rural areas or below the poverty level creates additional barriers for some families. Despite high national vaccination coverage, these economic and social barriers coupled with the spread of misinformation about vaccines could continue to increase the likelihood of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in communities across the country.

Access the complete report: 

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Reminder! Dr. L.J Tan, IAC’s chief strategy officer, will present a webinar on current issues in influenza on October 29  

Litjen (L.J) Tan, MS, PhD, chief strategy officer, IAC, will present a webinar titled "Current Issues in Influenza" on Tuesday, October 29, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Registration for this event is now open and a brief description is below.

Dr. Tan will discuss the 2018–2019 influenza season, some of its unique aspects, and the topic of vaccine effectiveness. He will review the importance of vaccination in preventing negative outcomes, particularly in the elderly, in those with chronic illnesses, and in the young. Finally, he will highlight new ACIP language regarding influenza vaccination and discuss messaging for the 2019–2020 season.

Register today for this engaging informational session!

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It's time to order IAC’s new "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers! 

Prepare for the 2019–20 influenza season by ordering IAC's new “FLU VACCINE” buttons and stickers. Modeled after “I Voted” stickers which are given to voters in many states as they leave the polls on Election Day, these flu vaccine buttons and stickers are bright red to help broadcast your important vaccination message. And the cost is minimal!



“FLU VACCINE” BUTTONS

The button measures 1.25" across and carries a bold message! Pin on lab coats, uniforms, other clothing, tote bags, or backpacks to show support for flu vaccine.
 
Buttons are delivered in bags of 10 buttons per bag.

Click here for pricing and ordering information for "FLU VACCINE" buttons.

“FLU VACCINE” STICKERS
 
Measuring 1.5" across and printed on Avery labels, theses stickers adhere well to clothing and have an easy-peel-off back.
 
Stickers are delivered to you cut individually (not on rolls)—available in bundles of 100. 

Click here for pricing and ordering information for “FLU VACCINE” stickers.

Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including "Vaccines Save Lives" enamel pins, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.

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IAC's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives” enamel pins are now available—they make great gifts!

IAC has just designed an elegant new “Vaccines Save Lives” pin on hard black enamel with gold lettering and edges. 



The pin is a stick-through-post variety with the back end covered by a round rubber cap that holds the pin securely. A gold metal spring-lock clasp is also provided. The pin makes a refined statement, measuring 1.125" x 0.75". 

Wear these pins on clothing, uniforms, lab coats, tote bags, and backpacks to show that you value vaccines!



Click here for "Vaccines Save Lives" pins pricing and ordering information.

Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including enamel "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.

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IAC Spotlight! IAC's "Vaccine Information Statements" (VIS) web section has VISs in up to 50 languages

In 2018, visitors to IAC's immunize.org website downloaded more than 3 million copies of Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) from its VIS web section.

IAC's VIS web section offers 28 VISs in English. The site also offers translations in 48 other languages—alphabetically, from Amharic to Yiddish! (Note: Not all VISs are available in all languages.) 

The VIS web section main page, in which the VISs are listed by disease in the Vaccine Index, is found at www.immunize.org/vis. You can also access VISs sorted by language in the Language Index. Both pages also feature a handy table of current VIS dates, an easy way to check that you are using the most recent version. IAC has recently reviewed and updated several IAC VIS web pages within the VIS web section.



A sheet in PDF format that lists the current VIS dates is available at http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2029.pdf.

IAC has a cooperative agreement with CDC to provide VIS translations in several languages for routinely recommended vaccines for children and adults, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Somali, and Vietnamese. Most other VIS translations have been donated by other organizations, including several state health departments, that generously partner with us to provide translations. You can see all available translations here

IAC's VIS main page also includes links to information about new VISs, instructions for correctly using VISs, links to CDC about VISs, and more.

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Reminder: Visit IAC's newly updated www.Give2MenACWY.org to enhance your efforts at increasing adolescent immunization rates

Two months ago, IAC announced a major upgrade to its collaborative website promoting the importance of receiving the booster dose of MenACWY and improving adolescent immunization rates.



Aimed at healthcare professionals, the site has been revised to incorporate newly updated materials and to highlight the importance of all recommended vaccines for 16-year-olds. A simplified navigation structure makes locating information a breeze. 

The colorful new Give2MenACWY.org website is divided into five easy-to-access sections: 

  • Vaccinate Teens – The tools included on this web page offer helpful information on teen vaccination schedules and tips for improving adolescent immunization rates.
  • Give 2 Doses – Fewer than half of teens have received the recommended second dose of MenACWY vaccine. This web page offers tools to help providers improve second dose coverage.
  • 16-Year-Old Visit – These resources help both providers and their patients remember the important vaccines recommended for 16-year-olds.
  • Tools for Providers – These tools from CDC, IAC, and other organizations explain meningococcal ACWY vaccine recommendations and assist in improving adolescent coverage for all recommended vaccines.
  • Resources – This section contains a wealth of information to assist provider efforts to improve adolescent immunization rates. The materials are subdivided into subsections for print materials, links to organizations involved in adolescent immunization, personal stories about the importance of vaccination, and additional resources of interest. 

Additional time savings are provided by the site’s single location where all website materials are listed according to whether they are primarily of interest to providers or to patients/parents. Other sections relate to general adolescent immunization, as well as meningococcal disease and vaccine information.

Visit Give2MenACWY.org and enjoy browsing (and hopefully deploying) its terrific resources, brought to you by our collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur.

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Voices for Vaccines posts new podcast on vaccine hesitancy, recorded live from Washington State Immunization Summit

Voices for Vaccines (VFV) has posted a new entry in its Vax Talk podcast series: Vaccine Hesitancy. Recorded live at Washington State Immunization Summit, Karen Ernst, executive director, VFV, and Nathan Boonstra, MD, Blank Children's Hospital, engage in a lively, in-depth discussion of vaccine hesitancy, based on questions and concerns from the audience. If you or your organization would like information about how to become a sponsor of a VFV "Vax Talk" podcast, please contact VFV's executive director Karen Ernst, at info@voicesforvaccines.org.  

Voices for Vaccines is a national organization of parents and others who are dedicated to raising the level of the voices of immunization supporters. VFV invites everyone who values vaccines to become a member. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues to join VFV!

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WORLD NEWS


WHO publishes "Recommended Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season" in this week's Weekly Epidemiological Record

WHO published Recommended Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season (pages 473–484) in the October 18 issue of its Weekly Epidemiological Record. 

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WHO publishes "Antigenic and Genetic Characteristics of Zoonotic Influenza A Viruses and Development of Candidate Vaccine Viruses for Pandemic Preparedness" in this week's Weekly Epidemiological Record

WHO published Antigenic and Genetic Characteristics of Zoonotic Influenza A Viruses and Development of Candidate Vaccine Viruses for Pandemic Preparedness (pages 485–496) in the October 18 issue of its Weekly Epidemiological Record

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FEATURED RESOURCES

CDC publishes “Materials for the 2019–20 Influenza Season” highlighting some of its many resources for flu season

CDC recently released a two-page resource that highlights some of CDC's many influenza materials for healthcare professionals for the 2019–2020 influenza season. Titled Materials for the 2019–20 Influenza Season, it contains links to information about ACIP recommendations, flu campaign materials, webinars, training modules, e-learns, VISs, videos and much more.

  

CDC has a wealth of influenza materials and resources available for your use this flu season. To find them, visit CDC's Influenza (Flu) web section, at cdc.gov/flu.

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Influenza season has begun; be sure all your patients are getting vaccinated!

Influenza season is now beginning, and CDC expects flu activity to remain low but increase in the coming weeks. Visit the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, for details.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services.

Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public: 

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NFID releases new online toolkit to help raise awareness about the risks of measles and the importance of measles vaccination

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has released a new, online Measles Awareness Toolkit aimed at raising awareness about the risks of measles and the importance of getting vaccinated.

The toolkit's main page contains several animated public service announcement videos, an infographic, and a link to additional resources: Measles Awareness: Sample Social Media Posts & Graphics.

Visit NFID's Measles Awareness Toolkit to find these helpful resources.

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IAC's comprehensive Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide is available for free download either by chapter or in its entirety (142 pages)

In late 2017, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) announced the publication of its new book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).



This completely updated "how to" guide on adult immunization provides easy-to-use, practical information covering essential adult immunization activities. It helps vaccine providers enhance their existing adult immunization services or introduce them into any clinical setting. Topics include:

  • setting up for vaccination services,
  • storing and handling vaccines,
  • deciding which people should receive which vaccines,
  • administering vaccines,
  • documenting vaccinations (including legal issues), and
  • understanding financial considerations and billing information.

In addition, the Guide is filled with hundreds of web addresses and references to help providers stay up to date on the latest immunization information, both now and in the future.

The Guide is available to download/print either by chapter or in its entirety free of charge at www.immunize.org/guide. The downloaded version is suitable for double-sided printing. The National Vaccine Program Office and CDC both supported the development of the Guide and provided early technical review.

The Guide is a uniquely valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult immunization rates. Be sure to get a copy today!

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING


CDC and Medscape offer new online CE program on ACIP recommendations for prevention of Japanese encephalitis among U.S. travelers and laboratory workers
 

CDC and Medscape are providing online continuing education (CE) for selected MMWR publications. Recently, they posted an online training program titled Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. You must be registered on Medscape to access this link. If you are not a registered user, you can register for free by visiting Medscape.com and clicking on the Register link in the upper right corner of the page.

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CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

Reminder: National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships will take place November 13–15 in Honolulu

The 14th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) will take place in beautiful Honolulu on November 13–15. Conference attendees will learn from expert speakers and network with members of immunization coalitions from around the nation.

Keynote speakers will include Nancy Messonnier, MD, director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, and Erica DeWald, directory of advocacy, Vaccinate Your Family. 

Visit the conference website for more information on the conference and registration.

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About IAC Express
The Immunization Action Coalition welcomes redistribution of this issue of IAC Express or selected articles. When you do so, please add a note that the Immunization Action Coalition is the source of the material and provide a link to this issue.

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IAC Express is supported in part by Grant No. 6NH23IP922550 from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of IAC and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC. IAC Express is also supported by educational grants from the following companies: AstraZeneca, Inc.; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; Pfizer, Inc.; and Sanofi Pasteur.

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IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. 1NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

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Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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