IZ Express

Issue 1806: March 26, 2025

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

Top Stories

Vaccinate Your Family and Autism Science Foundation offer updated guide, “The Truth About Autism and Vaccines,” to help educate on debunked claims

Fifteen years ago, Every Child by Two (now Vaccinate Your Family [VYF]) and the Autism Science Foundation first collaborated on a monograph sharing the science that shows there is no link between vaccination and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). They recently released an updated version of The Truth About Autism and Vaccines, which now includes discussion of current vaccine safety research and our current understanding of autism causes, signs, early diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments.  

Use this guide to educate your communities and policymakers about the importance of ensuring that valuable research time and funding are dedicated to the most promising lines of inquiry related to the causes of and treatments for ASD.  



View the guide.


Immunize.org updates Spanish translations of popular handouts, reflects new pneumococcal recommendation for adults age 50 years and older

Immunize.org updated Spanish translations of eight popular handouts, including its Vaccinations for Adults series of handouts. These seven patient handouts now include the CDC recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination of all adults age 50 years and older:



In addition, the Spanish translation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV): A Parent's Guide to Preteen and Teen HPV Vaccination (view in English) was updated to correct multiple CDC website links that have changed.

Related Links


Immunize.org posts 17 updated translations of its handout, "Immunizations for Babies: A Guide for Parents" 

As reported in the March 19 edition of IZ Express, Immunize.org corrected an error on Immunizations for Babies: A Guide for Parents. The small print indicating the timeframe for the final Hib vaccine dose listed on the 12 months and older row displayed the wrong age range for administration. It was corrected to display the correct range of 12–15 months.

Immunize.org has now corrected this error on all 17 translations of this patient handout. Updated translations include:

Arabic  Pashto 
Bosnian  Russian 
Chinese-Simplified             Somali 
Dari  Spanish 
French  Swahili
Haitian Creole  Turkish
Kinyarwanda  Ukrainian
Korean  Vietnamese
Nepali   



Related Links


Immunize.org updates new CDC web links in "Suggestions to Improve Your Immunization Services" and "Screening Checklist for Contraindications to HPV, MenACWY, MenB, and Tdap Vaccines for Teens"

Immunize.org updated Suggestions to Improve Your Immunization Services and Screening Checklist for Contraindications to HPV, MenACWY, MenB, and Tdap Vaccines for Teens with new web links following changes to the CDC website.

       

Related Links


Immunize.org adds GSK’s new MenABCWY vaccine to "Vaccines with Diluents: How to Use Them"

Immunize.org updated Vaccines with Diluents: How to Use Them to add Penmenvy (MenABCWY, GSK) to the table of vaccines requiring a diluent.



Related Links


Influenza-like illness activity remains elevated but is decreasing; vaccination is still encouraged 

For week 11, ending March 15, CDC’s Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, showed influenza-like illness activity at high to very high levels in 20 of 33 reporting jurisdictions. CDC classified this season as a high-severity season for people of all ages. During week 11, 3.9% of outpatient visits were for influenza-like illness, above the epidemic threshold of 3.0% for the sixteenth consecutive week. Seventeen pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza virus infection were reported during week 11, bringing the 2024–25 season total to 151 childhood deaths.


RESP-NET
Visit the CDC Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) for weekly reports of hospitalizations due to three vaccine-preventable seasonal respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older; RSV vaccination at this point in the season is recommended for certain high-risk adults ages 60 through 74 and all adults age 75 years and older. RSV immunization of infants and certain high-risk toddlers with nirsevimab (Beyfortus, Sanofi) is recommended until the end of March.

Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC's Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows that as of February 22, an estimated 37.2 million doses of flu vaccine were given in community pharmacies (~317,000 fewer than this same time point last flu season) and 21.1 million doses were given in physicians’ medical offices (~4.2 million fewer doses than this same time point last flu season).

CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination. Given the high levels of circulating influenza across the country, vaccination remains important for all eligible, unvaccinated people.

Identify pharmacies in your area that may offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines by entering a zip code in the VaccineFinder on Vaccines.gov or Vacunas.gov.

Related Links


"Reasons for 2024 ACIP Changes to Adult RSV Vaccine Recommendations": Watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube. 

Have you wondered why the ACIP recommendations for adult RSV vaccination were changed after just one season? This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is titled Reasons for 2024 ACIP Changes to Adult RSV Vaccine Recommendations. The video explains how updated evidence on the balance of RSV vaccination benefits and risks led ACIP in June 2024 to make a definitive routine age-based recommendation for adults age 75 years and older, accompanied by a risk-based recommendation for those age 60 through 74 years with specific high-risk conditions.

The 2-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.


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

Spotlight on the website: Looking for a past IZ Express article? Here’s how to browse all issues.

This week, we focus on how to access any of the 1,805 past issues of IZ Express (known from 1997–2022 as IAC Express). 
 
The back issue archive is available from the “News & Updates” menu tab within the “IZ Express Newsletter” section through the “Browse All Issues” link. 


 
The tables of contents for back issues are listed in chronological order with the most recent shown first. Within each issue, click on any title in the table of contents to read the full story. View a complete issue by selecting the “Read full issue” link located to the right of the title. 
 
You can search and filter issues to find specific topics of interest. To search, type keyword(s) in the search box (“Search & Filters” button on mobile devices), then select the “Search” button. Issues matching your criteria will be returned with the search terms highlighted. Results can also be filtered by date by selecting a year and month from the filter options. 


Featured Resources

Voices for Vaccines releases podcast with Joe Bresee, MD, on measles outbreak, influenza season, and H5N1 bird flu 

Voices for Vaccines posted a new entry in its Vax Talk podcast series: Measles and Bird Flu and RSV–Oh My! featuring Joe Bresee, MD, on measles outbreak, influenza season, and H5N1 bird flu. A description from the VFV web page appears below.

In this episode, we break down the biggest vaccine headlines, from the alarming measles outbreak in Texas to the severity of this year’s flu season and the emerging threat of H5N1 bird flu. Special guest Dr. Joe Bresee from the Task Force for Global Health shares expert insights on pandemic preparedness, vaccine innovation, and global immunization efforts. He explains why bird flu is spreading among mammals, the risks of human-to-human transmission, and how surveillance is critical to preventing a future pandemic.

The episode also unpacks how avian flu could impact flu vaccine production, given that most vaccines still rely on chicken eggs, and why mRNA technology may be the future of flu prevention. Finally, the hosts dive into the fight against vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, exploring how behavioral science plays a key role in boosting vaccine confidence. 


Related Links


Going fast! Order laminated 2025 U.S. immunization schedule booklets from Immunize.org.

Laminated booklets of the 2025 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2025 U.S. adult immunization schedule are available now in the Immunize.org shop.

The schedules are available online as PDFs from CDC at no cost. Immunize.org’s laminated booklets are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccines are given. Features include:

  • Durability: Their tough coating can be wiped down, and they can stand up to a year's worth of use.
  • Format: Each schedule is produced in an 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. The adult schedule is 16 pages and the child and adolescent schedule is 20 pages.
  • Easy access to CDC updates: The CDC online schedule includes an addendum page that will display ACIP’s new recommendations as CDC adopts them during 2025. Each Immunize.org laminated schedule addendum page includes QR codes you can scan to view or print the online addendum page as it is revised.
  • Bonus content: Both schedules include a bonus page with Immunize.org’s popular 1-page handout summarizing the dose, route, and needle size recommendations for all vaccines and recipients.

          


Pricing:
 
Child and Adolescent Booklets                      Adult Booklets   
1 copy: $10.50           1 copy: $10.00
2–4 copies: $10.00 each           2–4 copies: $9.50 each
5–19 copies: $9.00 each           5–19 copies: $8.50 each
20–99 copies: $8.00 each           20–99 copies: $7.50 each
100–499 copies: $6.50 each           100–499 copies: $6.00 each
500–999 copies: $5.50 each           500–999 copies: $5.00 each
1,000–1,999 copies: $4.50 each            1,000–1,999 copies: $4.00 each
2,000+ copies: $3.75 each           2,000+ copies: $3.25 each
   
Visit the Shop Immunize.org: Laminated Schedules web page to view images and order today!

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

Related Links

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

Confident healthcare provider recommendations for influenza vaccine are powerfully persuasive. This influenza season has been a tough one and it is not over yet. To help you maximize patient protection, Immunize.org, in collaboration with CSL Seqirus, updated the 65+ Flu Defense website.



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:

Older adults are at increased risk of severe influenza, COVID-19, and RSV illness, including hospitalization and death, especially if they are not up to date on these vaccinations. A clinician recommendation is the most important reason why a patient will get vaccinated.

Check out the updated 65+ Flu Defense website to assist your ongoing efforts in protecting this vulnerable population.


Immunize.org's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives" black enamel pins make wonderful gifts or workplace recognitions!

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.


Notable Publications

“COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy and Major Structural Birth Defects” published in Pediatrics shows no association

In the March 14 issue, Pediatrics published COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy and Major Structural Birth Defects. Portions of the results and conclusions sections appear below.

Among 78,052 pregnancies, we identified 1248 major structural birth defects . . . 160.6 per 10,000 live births . . . among unvaccinated people and . . . 156.4 per 10 000 live births . . . among vaccinated people . . . No differences in the prevalence of major structural birth defects were observed given COVID-19 vaccination . . . Findings were unchanged by insurance provider, SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, and concomitant of other maternal vaccines. No differences in the prevalence of birth defects were observed among vaccinated people by brand . . .

COVID-19 vaccination during early pregnancy is not associated with an increased prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants. These results support the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in early pregnancy.



A video abstract is available.


CDC issues Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update on risk of infection and testing recommendations for dengue virus in the United States

On March 18, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update: Ongoing Risk of Dengue Virus Infections and Updated Testing Recommendations in the United States. CDC issued this HAN to provide additional information on dengue virus transmission in the United States, use of a specific assay when dengue is the most likely diagnosis, and new resources for investigating and responding to dengue cases in non-endemic areas of the United States.



Related Links


Upcoming Events

Virtual: Register for the next Immunize.org Website Office Hours on April 9 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or April 10 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Ask your website questions and learn about our publication archives and vaccine timeline. Previously recorded sessions available online.

To learn simple tips and tricks for using our website efficiently, please register for our next set of Website Office Hours on Wednesday, April 9 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, April 10 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). The same content will be covered in both sessions.
 
We will open each 45-minute session with a short, live demonstration on navigating the following site content: publication archives, vaccine timeline, and information about our organization. You can submit questions when you register or live on Zoom during the session.



Register today for Immunize.org Website Office Hours (content is the same for both):

The archive of previous Website Office Hours content is posted at Immunize.org’s Webinars & Videos page. Website sections covered in the archived webinars include Ask the Experts; Clinical Resources; Vaccine Information Statements (VISs); Images, Webinars, Videos, & Social Media; Official Guidance; Travel Vaccines, Vaccine Confidence & Addressing Concerns; and Vaccines A–Z.

Mark your calendar for future Immunize.org Website Office Hours.


Virtual: Watch rescheduled April 15–16 ACIP meeting with discussion of several vaccination recommendations, including MenABCWY, RSV, and COVID-19

After postponing the regularly scheduled February ACIP meeting, CDC will now convene the ACIP on April 15–16. The ACIP will discuss vaccines targeting chikungunya, COVID-19, cytomegalovirus, HPV, influenza, Lyme disease, meningococcal disease, mpox, pneumococcal disease, and RSV. An update on the multistate measles outbreak will be provided.



No registration is required to watch webcasts of live ACIP meetings or listen via telephone. Opportunities for written or oral public comment are described on the website.

View meeting information.

Related Links


For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events.

About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 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

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