Issue 1465: December 4, 2019
TOP STORIES
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
WORLD NEWS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TOP STORIES
It's National Influenza Vaccination Week; make sure all your patients are protected against flu!
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), observed this week, was established by CDC in 2005 as an awareness week to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination activities throughout the holiday season and beyond. It's a great time to vaccinate people who have not yet been protected against flu and to call or send a reminder message to those who have not been vaccinated to be sure they get protected. Vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond because peak influenza activity generally does not occur until February (with some variability year to year). Providers are encouraged to continue vaccinating patients throughout the influenza season, including into the spring months.
This year, CDC is focusing on groups at high risk of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and death, such as children younger than 5 years, adults over 65, people with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes, and pregnant women. Click on the graphic above to access the NIVW campaign resources from CDC, including web tools, videos, communication hints, matte articles to submit to newspapers, animated images, graphics, and more.
CDC has stated in its Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, that as of the week ending November 23, the geographic spread of influenza was reported as widespread in 10 states, with regional activity in 14 states. Puerto Rico and 19 states reported local activity; the U.S. Virgin Islands and 7 states reported sporadic activity; and District of Columbia and Guam did not report.
One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported to CDC during the week ending November 23. A total of five influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2019–20 season.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, so please continue to vaccinate all your patients in this age range. 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. The HealthMap Vaccine Finder can help patients locate influenza vaccination services near them.
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IAC Spotlight: Just in case you missed them, these IAC materials and web pages were updated during October and November
In almost every issue of IAC Express, we provide readers with information about new and updated educational materials for healthcare professionals and handouts for patients that have been posted during the past week on IAC’s website for healthcare professionals, immunize.org. All these materials are CDC-reviewed and available free for you to download, print, copy, and distribute in your healthcare settings. We also announce major updates to the content on various web sections and pages on immunize.org.
Below you’ll find a listing of the new and updated items and web pages we’ve announced in IAC Express during the months of October and November, in case you’ve missed any of them.
Educational Materials for Healthcare Professionals
Influenza Educational Materials for Healthcare Professionals
Other Staff Education Materials
Handouts for Your Patients
Updated Web Sections and Pages
Updated VIS Web Pages
Related Links
- Visit IAC’s View All Materials web page to obtain a list of more than 300 staff educational materials and patient handouts on immunize.org
- Visit IAC’s Handouts main page to see the materials sorted by category
- Visit IAC's Ask the Experts web section to access more than 1,000 questions answered by CDC experts
- Visit IAC's Clinic Tools main page to access this web section and its seven specific topics
- Visit the What's New at IAC: Handouts web page to view all new and updated handouts and other educational materials and the dates they were posted on immunize.org
- Visit the What's New at IAC: Web Sections to view all new and updated web pages and dates they were posted on immunize.org
- Visit the What’s New at IAC: Vaccine Information Statements web page to view all new and updated Vaccine Information Statements and the dates they were posted on immunize.org
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IAC's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives" black enamel pins make great gifts for the holidays!
IAC’s new elegantly designed “Vaccines Save Lives” pin on hard black enamel with gold lettering and edges makes a meaningful gift for people who care about immunization.
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 "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.
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Flu season is here, so make sure you have IAC's new "FLU VACCINE" buttons for staff and patient stickers on hand!
IAC's “FLU VACCINE” buttons and stickers are ready to ship! Their bright red color helps broadcast your important message about the need for flu vaccination. And the cost is nominal.
“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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There are now 1,113 organizations enrolled in IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination
There are now 1,113 organizations enrolled in IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), medical practices, pharmacies, professional organizations, health departments, and other government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel.
Since November 6, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, four additional healthcare organizations have been enrolled.
IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply by visiting the Application page.
Newly added healthcare organizations, hospitals, government agencies, medical practices, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies
- Mason County Health Department, Havana, IL
- The Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Freehold, NJ
- Washoe Tribal Health Center, Gardnerville, NV
- Eagle Valley Children’s Home, Carson City, NV
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National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit soliciting nominations for its 2020 Immunization Excellence Awards; deadline is February 1
The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) is soliciting nominations for the 2020 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards. The 2020 awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions towards improving vaccination rates within their communities during 2019. Awardees exemplify the meaning of the "immunization neighborhood" (collaboration, coordination, and communication among immunization stakeholders dedicated to meeting the immunization needs of the patient and protecting the community from vaccine-preventable diseases). Unless an award criterion is specifically focused on influenza, it is the intent of the Summit to recognize broader adult immunization activities.
A National Winner will be selected for each award category, and where appropriate, an Honorable Mention recipient. The winners will be presented with their awards at the NAIIS meeting to be held on May 18 in Atlanta, GA, in conjunction with CDC’s National Immunization Conference. The National Winner in each category will be invited to present their programs at the NAIIS meeting.
Access information on the award categories and the nomination form.
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VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
Small correction made to Japanese-language translation of the varicella VIS
A small correction has been made to the Japanese-language translation of the varicella VIS. In "Section 1: Why Get Vaccinated?" the VIS translation now correctly states “some children who get chickenpox stay home from school or childcare for at least 5–6 days.”
Many thanks to the sharp-eyed immunization staff at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for pointing out the error.
The updated Japanese translation is for the varicella VIS published on August 12, 2018. On August 15, 2019, CDC released a new interim VIS for varicella; a translation of this new interim VIS is not available. CDC states that it is acceptable to use the out-of-date VIS translation since there have not been significant content changes from the 2018 version to the 2019 interim version.
CDC also states that the corresponding up-to-date English-language VIS must also be provided when providing an out-of-date translation.
When downloading the corrected version, you may have to "refresh" the page or use a different browser if you recently accessed the piece, as the previous version may be cached in your system.
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WORLD NEWS
WHO reports on cholera in this week's Weekly Epidemiological Record
The November 29 edition of the WHO periodical Weekly Epidemiological Record featured an article titled Cholera, 2018. According to the article, in 2018, 34 countries reported a total of 499,447 cholera cases and 2,990 cholera deaths to WHO.
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FEATURED RESOURCES
Reminder: Women in Government, representing the nation’s women state legislators, releases new podcast titled “Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate”; IAC’s Dr. Deborah Wexler among featured speakers
Women in Government, a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization of women state legislators, has released a new podcast titled Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate! The podcast, moderated by Patti Bellock, who has served in the Illinois legislature, features the following panelists: Georgia state senator Gloria Butler; Dr. Deborah Wexler of IAC; Elaine O'Hara of Sanofi Pasteur; and Erica DeWald of Vaccinate Your Family.
Access the podcast as well as links to leading immunization advocacy organizations and governmental websites on the Women in Government's Immunizations/Vaccinations web page.
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Visit the California Immunization Coalition’s recently updated website, ImmunizeCA.org
The California Immunization Coalition announced the official launch of their updated website, ImmunizeCA.org. The website has been refreshed with updated images and information and is now easier to navigate. Be sure to visit today!
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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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JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
Pediatrics publishes “Safety of the 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine”
The journal Pediatrics has published Safety of the 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, by T. Shimabukuro, et al., in its November 2019 issue. The Conclusions section of the abstract is reprinted below.
CONCLUSIONS: No new or unexpected safety concerns or reporting patterns of 9vHPV with clinically important AEs were detected. The safety profile of 9vHPV is consistent with data from prelicensure trials and from postmarketing safety data of its predecessor, the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine.
Access the complete abstract.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CDC’s NCIRD will host the third Current Issues in Immunization webinar on HPV vaccination recommendations on December 11
CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases will offer a Current Issues in Immunization webinar on December 11 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET). Titled HPV Vaccination Recommendations Update, Lauri Markowitz, MD, MPH, medical officer, NCIRD, CDC, will present and Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH, will moderate.
To register: HPV Vaccination Recommendations Update.
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