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.
People benefit from a personal copy of their immunization records. Immunize.org offers adult and lifetime immunization record cards you can provide your patients.
Immunize.org's personal immunization record cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, water-proof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent personal vaccination record and are sold in boxes of 250.
The child/teen immunization record cards have been discontinued due to low demand and greater use of immunization information systems for young children.
Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.
Notable Publications
“Federal Retail Pharmacy Program Contributions to Bivalent mRNA COVID Vaccinations across Sociodemographic Characteristics—United States, September 1, 2022–September 30, 2023” published in
MMWRCDC published Federal Retail Pharmacy Program Contributions to Bivalent mRNA COVID Vaccinations across Sociodemographic Characteristics—United States, September 1, 2022–September 30, 2023 on April 4 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
Pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP) served as integral partners in national efforts to scale up vaccination capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response. . . .
Among 59.8 million COVID-19 bivalent vaccine doses administered in the United States during September 1, 2022–September 30, 2023, 40.5 million (67.7%) were administered by FRPP partners. In urban and rural areas, FRPP partners administered 81.6% and 60.0% of bivalent vaccine doses, respectively. . . .
FRPP partnerships were critical in ensuring access to bivalent COVID-19 vaccination services in the United States and could serve as a model to address vaccination services needs for routine vaccines and during future responses to vaccine-preventable disease emergencies.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
Related Link
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
“Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake among United States Adults, Aged 27–45 Years” published in
Human Vaccines & ImmunotherapeuticsIn the April 13, 2023 issue, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics published Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake among United States Adults, Aged 27–45 Years. Key findings appear below.
- There was low self-reported prevalence of HPV vaccination uptake (15.5% of the study sample) among all adults ages 27–45 years, regardless of race/ethnicity
- After adjusting for race/ethnicity and other potential confounding factors, women had more than three times the odds of vaccine initiation compared to men
- Compared to Non-Hispanic White adults between 27 and 45 years, Non-Hispanic Black adults were more likely to be vaccinated against HPV after adjusting for potential confounders, while Hispanic adults were less likely to be vaccinated
- Adults with a regular place of healthcare had greater odds of receiving the HPV vaccine compared to adults without one
The authors concluded that, given HPV vaccine’s importance in cancer prevention, it is critical to mitigate low overall rates and disparities.
Global News
“Surveillance to Track Progress toward Polio Eradication—Worldwide, 2022–2023" published in
MMWR
CDC published Surveillance to Track Progress toward Polio Eradication—Worldwide, 2022–2023 on April 4 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
The primary means for detecting poliovirus is through surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), supplemented by environmental surveillance of sewage samples. . . .
During 2022–2023, among 28 priority countries experiencing or at high risk for poliovirus transmission, 20 (71.4%) met national AFP surveillance indicator targets, and the number of environmental surveillance sites in priority countries increased. However, substantial national and subnational AFP surveillance gaps persist. . . .
Maintaining high-quality surveillance is critical to achieving the goal of global polio eradication. Monitoring surveillance indicators is important to identifying gaps and guiding surveillance strengthening activities, particularly in countries at high risk for poliovirus circulation.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
Related Link
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
Upcoming Events
Virtual: Registration open for NFID’s “2024 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research” on May 8–10; CME credit offered
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host its live virtual 2024 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (ACVR) on May 8–10. The conference brings together disciplines involved in vaccine research, development, implementation, and real-world evaluation.
Registration is now open and there is a $500 fee to attend. NFID will offer CME for the live online activity. Visit the ACVR website for updates and additional information.
In-person: Registration open for CDC’s “National Immunization Conference 2024” on August 12–14 in Atlanta; abstract deadline April 19; CE credit offered
CDC will host its National Immunization Conference 2024 (NIC) on August 12–14 in Atlanta, GA. Program content will cover science, policy, education, and implementation issues related to immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. The conference will feature dynamic speakers from a range of backgrounds and experiences, offering continuing education for a variety of professions.
Abstracts are being accepted through April 19. Notification of acceptance will be sent in mid-June. View abstract submission guidelines.
Registration is now open and the general attendee fee is $685. CME will be offered. Register for the conference.
See CDC's
National Immunization Conference 2024 website for more information.
