- Today! Virtual: Watch February 22–24 ACIP meeting. Topics include mpox, influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, polio, RSV, chikungunya, dengue, varicella, and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Virtual: Immunize.org offers webinar, “Improving the Vaccination Experience: Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Children and Adults,” on February 28
- Virtual: NFID offers webinar, “COVID-19 Vaccines: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Headed,” on March 1; CME available
“COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Demographic Characteristics of Infants and Children Aged 6 Months–4 Years—United States, June 20–December 31, 2022” published in MMWR
CDC published COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Demographic Characteristics of Infants and Children Aged 6 Months–4 Years—United States, June 20–December 31, 2022 in the February 17 issue of MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
As of December 31, 2022, coverage with ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine dose among young children (those aged 6 months–4 years) was 10.1%, and 5.1% had completed the primary series. Coverage among young children varied by jurisdiction, urbanicity, race, and ethnicity. Five months after the COVID-19 vaccines became available to young children, their vaccination coverage is substantially lower than that in older children.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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“COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccination Coverage and Intent to Receive Booster Vaccination among Adolescents and Adults—United States, November–December 2022” published in MMWRCDC published COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccination Coverage and Intent to Receive Booster Vaccination among Adolescents and Adults—United States, November–December 2022 in the February 17 issue of MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
Based on interviews conducted during November–December 2022, only 27.1% of adults and 18.5% of adolescents who had completed a COVID-19 primary series received a bivalent booster, and coverage was lower among Black and Hispanic persons. An additional 39.4% of adults were open to booster vaccination, and an additional 52.0% of adolescents had parents who were open to booster vaccination for their children. Those in rural areas had much lower primary series completion rate and up-to-date vaccination coverage.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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“Preliminary Estimates of Effectiveness of Monovalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Children Aged 3–5 Years—Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, July 2022–February 2023” published in MMWRCDC published Preliminary Estimates of Effectiveness of Monovalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Children Aged 3–5 Years—Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, July 2022–February 2023 in the February 17 issue of MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
Complete monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech primary series vaccination provides protection for children aged 3–5 and 3–4 years, respectively, against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least the first 4 months after vaccination.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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Influenza activity is low nationally, but with weeks of winter still ahead, keep encouraging vaccination
Keep encouraging influenza vaccination for those not yet protected. This is especially important for young children who still need a second dose in their first vaccination season and those who need vaccination during pregnancy. There is still time this winter for another influenza subtype to circulate.
CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, provides a valuable snapshot of influenza activity state by state. For week 6, ending February 11, FluView reports that 2.6% of outpatient visits nationwide were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat (i.e., influenza-like illness [ILI]). The national baseline is 2.5%. Multiple respiratory viruses are co-circulating; the relative contribution of influenza virus infection to ILI varies by location. So far this season, 111 children died from influenza-associated causes.
The United States continues to experience outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) type A(H5N1) virus in wild birds and poultry. HPAI (H5N1) virus has circulated among birds and poultry around the world for many years. The H5N1 viruses are classified in related subgroups known as clades. The current clade of H5N1 virus, called clade 2.3.4.4b, spreads efficiently among wild birds and poultry: it has been detected in wild birds in all 50 states and caused bird outbreaks in 47 states affecting more than 58 million commercial poultry and backyard flocks.
Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC’s Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows that vaccination coverage for all children remains 6.5 percentage points lower than in January 2020 before the pandemic (51.8% compared with 58.3%). Where children live is strongly associated with how likely they are to be vaccinated: the influenza vaccination rate among rural children is 15.4 percentage points lower compared with children living in urban areas (i.e., metropolitan statistical area, central city group; 39.0% compared with 54.4%).
CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination. “Vaccines.gov” offers VaccineFinder, a service of Boston Children’s Hospital, to help people find influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for any age group. To be listed as a provider by VaccineFinder, see the information at this website.
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CDC revises parts of its General Best Practice Guidelines for ImmunizationOn February 14, CDC updated the list of errata/updates for its General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization. Recent updates include:
Timing and Spacing of Immunobiologics – Unknown or Uncertain Vaccination Status
Page 29, Table 3-1: Novavax COVID-19 vaccine added.
Page 25, Table 3-2: A footnote added to clarify that if live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is administered to a child age 6 months up to 2 years, it is an administration error, but the dose does not need to be repeated.
Contraindications and Precautions
Page 57, Table 4-1: A precaution related to egg allergy removed for inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), lowering the threshold to administer IIV.
Altered Immunocompetence
Page 144: Language added to the footnote for chronic renal disease to affirm that healthy persons through 59 years of age are recommended for hepatitis B vaccine whether they have chronic renal disease or not.
Glossary
Page 194: The terms Immunization and Vaccination are defined in discrete paragraphs (previously they were both defined in a single paragraph).
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Spotlight: Use Immunize.org's navigation features to quickly find the resources you need In this week's Spotlight, we summarize features at Immunize.org that help you quickly find the resources you need.
Our "Favorites" tab links to 18 of the most highly visited pages on Immunize.org's content-rich website, including training materials and clinic tools. The “Favorites” tab is easy to find—it’s the first of the six blue tabs atop each Immunize.org web page. When you hover over this blue tab or select it, the Favorites main page will appear.
Our “Guide to Immunize.org” appears in the light gray section at the bottom of each web page. The alphabetized topics link you directly to Immunize.org's main pages.
Our Google search bar, which appears in the dark gray bar atop each page, will aid in searching Immunize.org content.
Our View All Materials web page offers access to all of Immunize.org's handouts for patients and staff, sortable by title, language, date, and item number.
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Recap: 2023 U.S. recommended immunization schedule for children and teens released along with MMWR article detailing changes
On February 10, CDC posted the 2023 recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents on CDC's Immunization Schedules for Healthcare Providers web page.
The updated schedules for children and adolescents include:
Access the full-color, 12-page PDF of the child/adolescent schedule.
View what changed on the child/adolescent schedule for 2023.
As in previous years, Immunize.org will be producing sturdy, waterproof, laminated copies of these schedules for sale in coming weeks. Pre-ordering information will be shared soon in a special Shop Edition of IZ Express.
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Recap: 2023 U.S. recommended immunization schedule for adults released along with MMWR article detailing changes On February 10, CDC posted the 2023 recommended immunization schedules for adults on CDC's Immunization Schedules for Healthcare Providers web page.
The updated schedule for adults includes:
Access the full-color, 10-page PDF of the adult schedule.
View what changed on the adult schedule for 2023.
As in previous years, Immunize.org will be producing sturdy, waterproof, laminated copies of these schedules for sale in coming weeks. Pre-ordering information will be shared soon in a special Shop Edition of IZ Express.
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Immunize.org's elegant "Vaccines Save Lives" black enamel pins make thoughtful tokens of thanks for hard-working colleagues Immunize.org’s elegantly designed “Vaccines Save Lives” pins are meaningful gifts for people who care about vaccination. The pin makes a refined statement in hard black enamel with gold lettering and edges, measuring 1.125" x 0.75".
The pin features a stick-through-post with the back covered by a round rubber cap that holds the pin securely. A gold metal spring-lock clasp is also provided.
Wear these pins on clothing, uniforms, and white coats to show that you value vaccines.
 
Click here for "Vaccines Save Lives" pin pricing and ordering information.
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“Benefits of Near-Universal Vaccination and Treatment Access to Manage COVID-19 Burden in the United States” pre-print published in medRxiv
In the February 8 issue, medRxiv posted Benefits of Near-Universal Vaccination and Treatment Access to Manage COVID-19 Burden in the United States. A summary of the results appears below.
As expected, universal vaccination is projected to eliminate transmission and mortality. Under current treatment coverage (13.7%) and vaccination coverage (49%), averages of 89,000 annual deaths (548-day waning) and 120,000 annual deaths (365-day waning) are expected by the end of this decade. Annual mortality in the United States can be reduced below 50,000 per year with >81% annual vaccination coverage, and below 10,000 annual deaths with >84% annual vaccination coverage. Universal treatment reduces hospitalizations by 88% and deaths by 93% under current vaccination coverage. A reduction in vaccination coverage requires a comparatively larger increase in treatment coverage in order for hospitalization and mortality levels to remain unchanged.
“Typhoid Fever Surveillance, Incidence Estimates, and Progress toward Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction—Worldwide, 2018–2022” published in MMWR
CDC published Typhoid Fever Surveillance, Incidence Estimates, and Progress toward Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction—Worldwide, 2018–2022 in the February 17 issue of MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
Population-based and modeling studies confirm high typhoid incidence in the WHO South-East Asian, Eastern Mediterranean, and African regions. Since 2018, five countries have introduced TCV into their national routine [childhood] immunization schedule.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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"Choosing the Right Path toward Polio Eradication" published in New England Journal of MedicineIn the February 16 issue, New England Journal of Medicine published Choosing the Right Path toward Polio Eradication. A portion of the article appears below.
The recent declaration of a public health emergency in New York State after a case of paralytic poliomyelitis caused by a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), along with cVDPV detection in wastewater both in New York and in London, is a sobering reminder that polio still represents a threat even in countries that have not seen it for decades. Silent circulation of poliovirus was not unexpected: such circulation was previously observed in countries using inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Unlike oral polio vaccine (OPV), IPV does not induce the robust mucosal immunity that is important for preventing circulation. The continued circulation of wild and attenuated polioviruses suggests that the approach used by the polio-eradication campaign needs reevaluation.
Click the image to listen to the audio interview on current strategies and future directions for polio eradication efforts with Dr. Chumakov, a former associate director of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Vaccines Research and Review.
Today! Virtual: Watch February 22–24 ACIP meeting. Topics include mpox, influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, polio, RSV, chikungunya, dengue, varicella, and COVID-19 vaccines.
Event: CDC will convene its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
When:
- February 22 and 23, 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (ET)
- February 24, 8:00 a.m.–1:10 p.m. (ET)
Agenda: mpox, rotavirus, influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, polio, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; pediatric/maternal and adult), chikungunya, dengue, varicella, and COVID-19 vaccines
Registration: Not needed. Opportunities for written public comment are described at the website.
Related Links
- ACIP main page for access to webcast, agendas
- ACIP: Meeting Information for presentation slides, content from previous meetings, and information about future meetings
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Virtual: Immunize.org offers webinar, “Improving the Vaccination Experience: Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Children and Adults,” on February 28 Anxiety about needles and injections affects as many as 2 out of 3 children and 1 out of 4 adults. This anxiety can contribute to dreading, delaying, or avoiding vaccinations, even when the importance of preventing illness is understood. Good news: there are safe, effective, and practical steps that vaccinators, vaccine recipients, and caregivers can take to reduce vaccination-related pain and anxiety. Creating a less stressful vaccination experience increases confidence in vaccination.
Attend this live, 1-hour webinar hosted by Immunize.org, Improving the Vaccination Experience: Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Children and Adults, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on February 28 to learn more about the principles behind vaccination pain and anxiety. Learn simple, evidence-based strategies to reduce apprehension. These strategies were developed by the experts from HELP Eliminate Pain in Kids and Adults. Their work was used by the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health Canada, and others to develop guidelines for reducing vaccination pain.
The panelists will be:
- Anna Taddio, BScPhm, PhD; Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto; Senior Associate Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario
- Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH; President and CEO, Immunize.org
- Lucie Marisa Bucci, MA; Director, Policy and Government Relations, Society for Infodemic Management (SIM), Québec, Québec
- Sharon Humiston, MD, MPH; Director for Research, Immunize.org
Following the presentation, ample time is reserved for your questions.
Register now to be sure you don’t miss this important session to help you make vaccination a more positive experience for everyone.
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Virtual: NFID offers webinar, “COVID-19 Vaccines: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Headed,” on March 1; CME available The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host a webinar titled COVID-19 Vaccines: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Headed on March 1 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (ET). Participants will learn about updates on COVID-19 vaccination recommendations in the United States and issues on the horizon. NFID designates this enduring material for up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Register for the webinar.
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