- "Use of Updated COVID-19 Vaccines 2023–2024 Formula for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, September 2023" published in MMWR Early Release
- "Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine during Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Lower Respiratory Disease in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2023" published in MMWR
- CDC releases new Immunization Information Statement (a VIS-like document) for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Preventive Antibody (nirsevimab)
- Immunize.org posts five new and updated translations of Vaccine Information Statements
- Immunize.org retires four of its resources summarizing recommendations and contraindications
- “Vaccination after COVID-19 Illness”: watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram
- Spotlight: Immunize.org resources focused on each vaccine-preventable disease, in photo, narrative, and Q&A formats
- Keep up with influenza this season: use CDC’s FluView and RESP-NET surveillance reports and Influenza Vaccination Dashboard, updated weekly
- Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for healthcare worker vaccination requirements now features 1,335 organizations, including one new facility
- Vaccines in the news
"Use of Updated COVID-19 Vaccines 2023–2024 Formula for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, September 2023" published in MMWR Early Release
CDC published Use of Updated COVID-19 Vaccines 2023–2024 Formula for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, September 2023 in the October 10 issue of MMWR Early Release. This publication summarizes decisions made by ACIP at its September 12 meeting and information updated online at CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States. A portion of the article's summary appears below.
Since September 2022, bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been recommended in the United States, but the variants these vaccines were designed to protect against are no longer circulating widely. In September and October 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved and authorized updated 2023–2024 Formula monovalent XBB.1.5 component–containing COVID-19 vaccines, formulated to target current variants more closely, specifically Omicron variant XBB.1.5, for persons aged ≥6 months. . . .
On September 12, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccination with updated COVID-19 vaccines for all persons aged ≥6 months. . . .
The updated COVID-19 vaccines are meant to broaden vaccine-induced immunity and provide protection against the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 XBB-sublineage variants including against severe COVID-19–associated illness and death.
Access the MMWR article in HTML.
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"Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine during Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Lower Respiratory Disease in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2023" published in MMWRCDC published Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine during Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Lower Respiratory Disease in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2023 on October 13 in MMWR. This article reflects decisions made by ACIP at its meeting on September 22. A portion of the article's summary appears below.
Nirsevimab is recommended in infants to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). In August 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer RSV vaccine for pregnant persons at 32–36 weeks’ gestation to prevent RSV-associated LRTI in infants aged <6 months. . . .
On September 22, 2023, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended RSV vaccine for pregnant persons at 32–36 weeks’ gestation using seasonal administration (meaning September–January in most of the United States) to prevent RSV-associated LRTI in infants aged <6 months. . . .
CDC recommends protecting all infants against RSV-associated LRTI through use of either the maternal RSV vaccine or infant receipt of nirsevimab.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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CDC releases new Immunization Information Statement (a VIS-like document) for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Preventive Antibody (nirsevimab) On September 25, CDC released a new Immunization Information Statement (IIS) (similar in format to a Vaccine Information Statement [VIS]), for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Preventive Antibody (nirsevimab). This IIS document contains important information about the new preventive antibody product for families. Access the IIS in PDF or RTF file (for use in electronic systems).
At this time, the RSV preventive antibody is not part of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), therefore use of the IIS is not required by federal law in the way that VIS use is required for vaccines covered by the VICP. However, as a condition of participating in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, providers must give the IIS to parents in the same way that a VIS is provided.
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Immunize.org posts five new and updated translations of Vaccine Information Statements IZ Express regularly provides readers with information about new and updated Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) and their translations.
On July 24, CDC released an updated interim VIS for Pediatric Multi-vaccines (Your Child's First Vaccines) and on May 12, CDC released interim VISs for Hepatitis B Vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) Vaccine. Immunize.org posted two translations for each, generously donated by St. Peter's Health Partners of Albany, NY.
Hepatitis B Vaccine (view in English):
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (view in English):
Your Child’s First Vaccines (view in English):
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Immunize.org retires four of its resources summarizing recommendations and contraindications After many years as valuable and popular references, Immunize.org retired four of its more than 230 resources for healthcare professionals. The CDC child/adolescent and adult recommended immunization schedules now incorporate detailed clinical notes and list the contraindications and precautions for vaccines on the schedule. In addition, CDC schedules are now updated online more frequently, as new ACIP recommendations and changes to the schedules are made. As a result, the following Immunize.org documents were retired as redundant and users are referred to the CDC schedules for the information:
- Summary of Recommendations for Child/Teen Immunization (Age birth through 18 years)
- Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization (Age 19 years and older)
- Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults
- Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines for All Ages
Immunize.org remains focused on connecting healthcare professionals with the resources you need to achieve excellence in your immunization practice.
 
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“Vaccination after COVID-19 Illness”: watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram Immunize.org's social media channels make it easy for you to learn a little more every day. This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is Vaccination after COVID-19 Illness. This 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:
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Spotlight: Immunize.org resources focused on each vaccine-preventable disease, in photo, narrative, and Q&A formats 
Immunize.org offers a host of materials that focus on specific vaccine-preventable diseases. Here are some highlights.
Vaccines main page leads viewers to 24 pages, one for each vaccine-preventable disease. These pages provide curated materials from public health authorities and Immunize.org on each disease and vaccine.
Ask the Experts main page gives you access to more than 1,200 questions answered by Immunize.org experts. Topics include specific diseases and their vaccines as well as vaccine delivery guidance (e.g., administration, billing, documenting).
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) main page links to all current ACIP vaccine recommendations as well as most dating back to 1991. You can sort the ACIP recommendations by diseases or publication date.
Unprotected People Stories main page features more than 100 real-life accounts of people who suffered or died from vaccine-preventable diseases. There are compelling personal testimonies, remembrances, case reports, and newspaper articles.
Image Library main page offers hundreds of photos of people affected by vaccine-preventable diseases; micrographs of viruses, bacteria, and pathology specimens; and pictures of people being vaccinated. Please follow noted copyright requirements.
Keep up with influenza this season: use CDC’s FluView and RESP-NET surveillance reports and Influenza Vaccination Dashboard, updated weekly Influenza and RSV seasons have begun. CDC expects respiratory virus activity, including influenza, which is currently low, to increase. CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, provides a valuable snapshot of influenza activity state-by-state.
Influenza Surveillance
For week 40, ending October 7, CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView reports that, nationwide, 2.2% 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., influenza-like illness [ILI]). This is below the national baseline of 2.5%. One influenza-associated pediatric death that occurred during the 2022–2023 season was reported this week.
On October 12, 2023, CDC posted a web spotlight reporting two fatal human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)A H5N1 (bird flu) virus in Cambodia.
RESP-NET
Visit the CDC Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) for weekly reports of hospitalizations across the United States due to the three vaccine-preventable seasonal respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC's Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard data show that 116 million doses of influenza vaccine have been shipped within the United States through September 30, 2023.
CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination. Influenza and other vaccines (e.g., COVID-19 vaccine, RSV vaccine) may be given at the same visit, if needed. 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.
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Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for healthcare worker vaccination requirements now features 1,335 organizations, including one new facility Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll recognizes facilities that take a stand for patient safety by implementing policies requiring healthcare personnel influenza vaccination. There are now 1,335 organizations enrolled. Immunize.org recently welcomed an additional healthcare organization.
- STRIDE Community Health Center, Denver, CO
Eligibility:
- Eligible organizations: hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical practices, pharmacies, professional organizations, health departments, and other government entities
- Requirements:
- Your policy must require influenza vaccination for all staff
- The application must describe measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated personnel to patients (e.g., masking for the entire work shift)
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These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Immunize.org Pages and Handouts
Immunize.org updates its “Vaccines: COVID-19” main page to reflect recommended use of the 2023–2024 formula vaccines
Immunize.org updated its Vaccines: COVID-19 main page. Outdated information about bivalent mRNA vaccines was removed and users will now find current content on the 2023–2024 formula products. The web page continues to direct visitors seeking quick links to all print-ready federal fact sheets and COVID-19 vaccination resources to Immunize.org’s Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools, which is updated at least monthly. The web page also continues to link to other important government and partner websites.
Bookmark Immunize.org's Vaccines: COVID-19 main page to connect with a comprehensive list of resources from CDC and FDA including fact sheets, clinical considerations, vaccine administration tools, and storage and handling guidance.
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"High Influenza Incidence and Disease Severity among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years—United States, 2022–23 Season" published in MMWR
CDC published High Influenza Incidence and Disease Severity among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years—United States, 2022–23 Season on October 13 in MMWR. A portion of the article's summary appears below.
The 2022–23 influenza season began early, coinciding with circulation of other respiratory viruses. High hospitalization rates among children and adolescents were observed. . . .
Among children and adolescents aged <18 years, 2022–23 was a high severity influenza season compared with thresholds based on previous seasons’ data; influenza-associated medical visits and hospitalizations met or exceeded incidence in previous seasons. . . .
CDC recommends that all persons aged ≥6 months without contraindications should receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine, ideally by the end of October.
Access the MMWR article in HTML.
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Virtual: Watch October 25–26 ACIP meeting. Topics include immunization schedules and seven vaccine-preventable diseases.
CDC will convene a 2-day meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), October 25–26, starting at 8:00 a.m. (ET). ACIP will discuss child and adolescent immunization schedules, adult immunization schedule, influenza, chikungunya, COVID–19, meningococcal, mpox, and pneumococcal vaccines, as well as RSV vaccines for older adults. Votes on immunization schedules, meningococcal vaccines, and mpox vaccine are scheduled.
No registration is required to watch webcasts of live ACIP meetings or listen via telephone. Opportunities for public comment are described on the website.
View the agenda.
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Virtual: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases hosts "Clinical Vaccinology Course" on November 15–17; CME and CNE available The National Foundation of Infectious Diseases (NFID) Clinical Vaccinology Course will be held online November 15–17. This 3-day online course focuses on new developments and issues related to use of vaccines. Expert faculty provide the latest information on vaccines, including updated recommendations for vaccinations across the lifespan, and innovative and practical strategies for ensuring timely and appropriate vaccination.
Continuing medical education (CME) and continuing nursing education (CNE) credit will be offered.
Register for the online course ($700 fee).
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