IZ Express

Issue 1740: February 14, 2024

Top Stories
 
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources 
 
Featured Resources
   
Upcoming Events

Top Stories

One week remains to help us evaluate our work! Take our 5-minute feedback survey.

Every 2 years, IZ Express readers are asked to help Immunize.org evaluate our activities. This year’s survey takes as little as 5 minutes to complete. It will help us demonstrate the impact of our work and inform our priorities in the future. It is also an important element of our CDC cooperative agreement.  

Click here to complete Immunize.org's 2024 online survey. The survey will skip sections you mark as not relevant to you. Thank you for your time and support.



Immunize.org updates our entire adult vaccinations series with 1-page handouts for your patients

Immunize.org recently updated its entire series of 1-page guides to vaccine recommendations for adults. Whether your patient is pregnant, has chronic lung disease, is missing a spleen, or has no specific risks, you will find a guide to vaccination suitable for them.

Where relevant, guides now incorporate:

  • Vaccination against mpox
  • Information on RSV vaccination 
  • Use of MenABCWY as an option for adults needing both MenACWY and MenB vaccinations

Please be sure your practice uses the most current versions of each of the following:



Related Links

Back to top

February is American Heart Month; certain vaccines are especially important for people with heart disease

February is American Heart Month, a time for people to focus on their cardiovascular health. Every year, thousands of people with heart or vascular disease experience serious complications from vaccine-preventable infections. You can help protect your heart and health through vaccination. Vaccines of particular importance for people with heart disease include: 

  • COVID-19
  • Influenza
  • Pneumococcal 
  • RSV (if age 60 years or older)


Related Links

Review your COVID-19 resources with the latest version of Immunize.org’s “Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools” 

Immunize.org updates the Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools at least monthly, prominently indicating when it was last revised at the top of the page. Revisions to the February 8 checklist include links to CDC’s updated materials for storage and handling of Pfizer-BioNTech’s 2023–2024 Formula Comirnaty vaccine supplied in either plastic or glass manufacturer-filled syringes (MFSs).

Storage requirement revisions include:

  • Glass MFSs must be stored at refrigerated temperatures (2o through 8oC, 35o through 46oF) and should NOT be frozen
  • Labels on individual glass syringes and their cartons prominently display a “DO NOT FREEZE” warning
  • Plastic MFSs are shipped and may be stored at ultracold temperatures (–90o through –60oC, –130o through –76oF)

To reflect these storage requirements, CDC updated its Pfizer-BioNTech 2023–2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine At-A-Glance and Storage and Beyond-Use Date Tracking Labels resources.



All COVID-19 vaccine providers should review this checklist regularly. Download the latest documents and discard any outdated versions. The checklist is posted on Immunize.org's Vaccines A–Z: COVID-19 main page to help practices stay up to date.

Related Links


Influenza-like illness rates remain high in many parts of the country; continue to promote vaccination against respiratory illnesses

CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, provides a valuable picture of laboratory-confirmed influenza and influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity state by state. ILI activity is caused by a variety of respiratory illnesses, including three vaccine-preventable infections: influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.

Influenza Surveillance
For week 5, ending February 3, CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView shows that 25 jurisdictions experienced high or very high activity. Nationwide, 4.4% of patient visits reported through the Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat (i.e., ILI). The national baseline is 2.5%. Eight pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported this week, bringing the total to 74 pediatric deaths thus far during the 2023–24 season. 



RESP-NET
Visit the CDC Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) for weekly reports of hospitalizations across the United States due to three vaccine-preventable seasonal respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. 

Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC's Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows that as of February 9, more than 36.5 million doses of flu vaccine were administered in pharmacies and nearly 24 million doses in medical offices (shown under Adult Vaccinations Administered). Vaccination appears to be lagging behind this time in 2022 in both sectors. Notably, coverage for all children is 3.3 percentage points lower this season compared with the same time last season (48.4% compared with 51.7%) and 9.9 percentage points lower compared with pre-pandemic coverage in January of 2020. Vaccination can still protect people now and as long as influenza remains active in your community.

CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination. Influenza and other vaccines (including COVID-19 and RSV vaccines) may be given at the same visit, if indicated. Infants age 6 months and older may receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit when they receive the RSV preventive antibody, nirsevimab.

Locate influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in your area by entering your zip code in the VaccineFinder on Vaccines.gov or Vacunas.gov. To be listed as a provider by VaccineFinder, see the information on this website.

Related Links


Immunize.org’s Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll recognizes 580 institutions, including four renewing honorees  

Immunize.org is pleased to renew four institutions’ Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll status, retaining their standing among 580 honorees. The birthing institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses. 

  • Fillmore County Hospital, Geneva, NE (93%) (2 years) 
  • Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX (92%) (3 years) 
  • Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt, KS (90%) (5 years) 
  • Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA (94%) (6 years) 

The Honor Roll includes 580 birthing institutions from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, and our U.S. military base in England. 



The Honor Roll is a key part of Immunize.org’s initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give Birth to the End of Hep B. Hospitals and birthing centers are recognized for attaining high coverage for hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting additional criteria. To learn whether your organization qualifies and to access the application form, please see Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online
 
Honorees receive an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for printing and framing. Their acceptance is announced through Immunize.org’s social media channels and to IZ Express’s 54,000+ readers. 
 
Please visit the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and celebrates their vigorous efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission. 
 
Related Immunize.org Resources 


"Is Hepatitis B Screening Required before Vaccination?"  Watch the 1-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube. 

This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is Is Hepatitis B Screening Required before Vaccination? The video briefly describes why screening may be done before vaccination, but is not necessary if the opportunity to vaccinate comes first. 

The 1-minute video is available on our YouTube channel, along with our full collection of quick video answers to popular Ask the Experts questions.

Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise:


Journalists interview Immunize.org experts

Journalists seek out Immunize.org experts to help explain vaccines to the public and policy makers. We help the media understand and communicate the complex work vaccinators do. Here is a recent citation.


Vaccines in the news

These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.


Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources

Recap: Immunize.org updates two meningococcal resources for healthcare providers and patients

Immunize.org recently updated two of its meningococcal resources:

For both, references to Menactra (Sanofi) were removed following expiration of the last doses of this discontinued product. Information regarding the recommended use of MenABCWY (Penbraya, Pfizer) was added. A QR code linking to the online version of the document was added.

  

Related Links


Recap: “Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patients Get the Correct Dose” resource updated

Immunize.org updated its Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patients Get the Correct Dose clinical resource. Minor changes were made, including the addition of a QR code linking to the online version of the document.

Related Links
Recap: Immunize.org updated these clinical resources in December and January

IZ Express regularly provides readers with information about Immunize.org’s new and updated educational materials for healthcare professionals and handouts for patients. All Immunize.org materials are free to distribute.
 
In case you missed them during recent weeks, updates were made to these helpful materials:

Immunize.org Updated Materials for Clinicians

Immunize.org Updated Materials for Patients Immunize.org Web Pages Related Links
  • Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page to see educational materials sorted by category
  • Immunize.org: Ask the Experts main page to access more than 1,300 questions answered by Immunize.org experts
Back to top

Spotlight on the website

In today’s story, we continue to spotlight our link to state-specific resources: State Immunization Websites and Additional State Resources. These can be found by choosing the Official Guidance menu tab at the top of every page, then selecting States from the lefthand list. 

The State Immunization Websites page (righthand list) provides links to state government websites with information about each state’s immunization program, as well as childcare, school, or college immunization requirements. Select a state name to expand its section. 



Additional State Resources connects you to important contact information for state immunization program managers, as well as other immunization contacts, including perinatal hepatitis B prevention coordinators, and Indian Health Service immunization contacts. Links to other useful government and nongovernment organization sites are also provided. 


Featured Resources

Place your order! Sturdy, laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. immunization schedules from Immunize.org shipping now.

Laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2024 U.S. adult immunization schedule are shipping now and available in the Immunize.org Shop.

While the schedules are available online from CDC at no cost, Immunize.org’s printed, laminated booklets are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccinations are given.

  • Durable: their tough coating can be wiped down, and they’re durable enough to stand up to a year's worth of use
  • Format: each schedule is produced in a 16-page, 8.5” X 11” booklet format; with color coding for easy reading, our laminated schedules replicate the original CDC formatting, including all tables and notes
  • Easy access to CDC updates: CDC added an online addendum page to the schedule, where new recommendations from ACIP made during 2024 can be posted. The laminated schedule addendum pages include custom QR codes you can scan to view or print the current CDC addendum from CDC's website, as needed.
  • Adult schedule bonus: the adult schedule includes a bonus page with Immunize.org’s popular 1-page handout summarizing the dose, route, and needle size recommendations for all adult vaccines and recipients


    

Pricing

  • 1 copy: $10.00
  • 2–4 copies: $9.50 each
  • 5–19 copies: $8.50 each
  • 20–99 copies: $7.50 each
  • 100–499 copies: $6.00 each
  • 500–999 copies: $5.00 each
  • 1,000–1,999 copies: $4.00 each
  • 2,000+ copies: $3.25 each

Visit the Shop Immunize.org: Laminated Schedules web page to view images of all the pages, to download the order form, and to order today!

For additional information, including large bulk orders, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.

Related Links


Medscape offers activity for healthcare professionals on new pneumococcal vaccine guidelines for adults; CE available  

Medscape offers an online monograph titled Pneumococcal Vaccine for Adults Aged ≥ 19 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023. Its goal is to help primary-care clinicians and other healthcare professionals apply ACIP pneumococcal vaccination recommendations across a spectrum of adult presentations. 

CE and CME are available through December 21, 2024.

Register for the activity.

Back to top


NFID shares resources for influenza and RSV vaccines, long COVID, and vaccination for people with heart disease 

NFID offers several new resources and social media graphics to help raise awareness about influenza and RSV vaccines, long COVID, and the importance of vaccination for people with heart disease.

Resources include: 


Immunize.org plans to discontinue child/teen and lifetime immunization record cards, keep adult record cards

Immunize.org has offered three types of immunization record cards for many years: Child & Teen, Adult , and Lifetime. However, as the use of immunization information systems increased, especially for children, demand for our Child/Teen and Lifetime record cards declined. For this reason, once the current inventory is depleted, both Child/Teen and Lifetime Immunization Record cards will be discontinued. We will continue to offer the Adult Immunization Record.

All card types remain available at this time. To purchase record cards for your site, please visit the Immunize.org Shop.

Order Immunization Record Cards

Related Link


Updated 65+ Flu Defense website offers resources for healthcare professionals serving older adults   

Confident recommendations for influenza vaccine from healthcare providers are powerfully persuasive. To assist you in maximizing protection for your patients, Immunize.org, in collaboration with CSL Seqirus, updated the 65+ Flu Defense website.

Older adults are at increased risk of severe influenza and COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death, especially if they are not up to date on these vaccinations. An updated fact sheet on the website, The Importance of Preventing Influenza and COVID-19, offers responses to help guide discussions with patients on the importance of preventing influenza and COVID-19. 



This helpful site includes information, tools, and tips for communicating with adults age 65 and older about the scope and severity of influenza. Resources include:

Check out the updated 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org to assist your ongoing efforts in protecting this vulnerable population.


Upcoming Events

Virtual: Watch February 22–23 National Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting with discussion on measles, VFC, and more

National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) meetings are held three times a year. The meetings cover the most recent and pressing topics affecting the vaccine enterprise. NVAC is scheduled to meet February 22–23. Agenda topics include measles, vaccine innovation, shortages, school-entry policies, VFC, artificial intelligence, adult vaccination, immunization during pregnancy, and more. 

NVAC meetings are open to the public and can be viewed virtually. Preregistration is required for both public attendance and comment. 

View February 22–23 NVAC Meeting web page for more information. 


For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events.

About IZ Express

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.

IZ Express Disclaimer
ISSN 2771-8085

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

This page was updated on .