Issue 1429: June 5, 2019
TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
WORLD NEWS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TOP STORIES
AAP invites state and national organizations to sign on to a joint letter in support of the VACCINES Act of 2019
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites organizations to join them in sending a letter of support to Representatives Kim Schrier, Michael Burgess, Eliot Engel, Gus Bilirakis, Kurt Schrader, and Brett Guthrie for introducing the Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES ) Act of 2019. National and state medical, public health, patient, and education organizations are welcome to sign this letter of support.
On May 21, U.S. Congresswoman and pediatrician Kim Schrier, MD, introduced the VACCINES Act of 2019 (H.R. 2862), a bipartisan bill intended to increase immunization rates across the nation. The official title as introduced reads: "To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national system for surveillance of vaccine rates, to authorize research on vaccine hesitancy, to increase public understanding of the benefits of immunizations, and for other purposes."
From Rep. Schrier's press release:
The Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act will give the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resources it needs to understand what drives vaccines hesitancy and barriers to immunization. They will also be able to better track where there are changes in vaccine confidence or refusal rates. With this information, they will be able to predict where an outbreak might occur because of low immunization rates and target vaccine education campaigns to those areas before an outbreak occurs.
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Total number of U.S. measles cases for 2019 climbs to 981 with 41 new cases reported since last week
CDC has posted its latest update on 2019 measles cases in the U.S. on its Measles Cases and Outbreaks web page. The web page shows a preliminary estimate of 981 cases across 26 states as of May 31. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.
The states that have reported cases to CDC are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington.
Access additional information about U.S. measles cases in 2019 on CDC's Measles Cases and Outbreaks web page.
Click on the following links for information about specific outbreaks:
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IAC Spotlight! Just in case you missed them—these IAC materials and web pages were updated during April and May
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 April and May, in case you’ve missed any of them.
Educational Materials for Healthcare Professionals
Handouts for Your Patients
Updated Web Sections and Pages
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2019 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) presentations, posters, and award winners now available online
The 2019 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (“Summit”) in-person meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14–16. Attendees at this year’s meeting heard a wealth of information related to increasing adult vaccination coverage, updates on influenza, and influenza vaccine projections for the 2019–2020 season.
The 2019 NAIIS Annual Summit web page now includes the presentations and biographies of the presenters from the 2019 meeting. Each presentation may be accessed by clicking on the appropriate link in the 2019 Meeting Presentations listing. In addition, the site showcases the excellent posters displayed at the meeting, as well as information and photos from the 2019 Immunization Excellence Awards luncheon.
The NAIIS consists of over 700 partners, representing more than 130 public and private organizations from the healthcare industry, public health and private medical sectors, vaccine manufacturers and distributors, consumers, and others interested in preventing illness, disability, and deaths through the use of recommended vaccines. For the latest news on adult and influenza immunization, helpful resources, and information on how you can participate in this important partnership, be sure to check out the NAIIS website at www.izsummitpartners.org.
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Five healthcare organizations join IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination
There are now 835 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 April 17, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, 5 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, and medical practices
- Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral, FL
- Lake Ridge Care Center, Buffalo, MN
- Pediatrics West, Westford, MA
- Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
- Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, TX
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Voices for Vaccines releases new podcast episode that features Dr. Paul Offit discussing the current measles outbreaks
Voices for Vaccines (VFV) has posted a new entry in its Vax Talk podcast series: Measles with Dr. Paul Offit. In this podcast, Paul A. Offit, MD, director, Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, discusses the latest measles outbreaks with Karen Ernst, executive director, VFV, and Nathan Boonstra, MD, Blank Children's Hospital. Dr. Offit takes listeners through how these outbreaks behave, what causes them, what measles is actually like, and how we can all work together to prevent future outbreaks and elimination of measles.
If you or your organization would like information about how to become a sponsor of a VFV "Vax Talk" podcast, please contact VFV's executive director Karen Ernst, at info@voicesforvaccines.org.
Voices for Vaccines is a national organization of parents and others who are dedicated to raising the level of the voices of immunization supporters. VFV invites everyone who values vaccines to become a member. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues to join VFV!
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IAC HANDOUTS
IAC posts updated handout for the public titled "Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers"
IAC recently revised its handout for the public titled Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers—Information about the Disease and Vaccines. Changes were made to update morbidity and epidemiologic data.
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IAC updates "Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccine to Infants"
IAC recently revised Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccine to Infants to move the existing standing orders into IAC's new format with more explanatory charts and tables; no revisions or new technical changes were made.
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WORLD NEWS
WHO reports on the April meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
The May 31 edition of the WHO periodical Weekly Epidemiological Record reported on the April 2019 meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) in an article titled Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, April 2019—Conclusions and Recommendations.
SAGE, the principal advisory group to WHO for vaccines and immunization, was established by the Director-General of the World Health Organization in 1999.
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AAP's website offers guidance for preparing for the 2019–20 influenza season
Although it may seem that influenza season is just winding down, it’s important to plan in a timely manner for the next season. May and June are good months to start planning your schedule for when influenza vaccines are delivered and when your office can start administering vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers guidance for preparing for the next influenza season on its website.
Visit AAP's Influenza Implementation Guidance 2018–2019: For Pediatricians, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Medical Assistants, and Office Managers web section. Please note, although this page is dated 2018–2019, most of the guidance should still be relevant. AAP will update the page, if needed, when ACIP publishes its influenza recommendations for the 2019–20 season. Sub-sections include:
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AAP releases new guide about using immunization information systems and two-dimensional barcode scanning
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published a new guide for immunization providers titled Immunization Information Technology: A Guide for Pediatricians on Immunization Information Systems and Two-Dimensional Barcoding. Pediatricians play an important role in communicating with state and local public health entities and electronic health records (EHRs) vendors about the functionality needed to help pediatric practices and patients receive the full benefits of use of immunization information systems (IISs) and two-dimensional (2-D) barcode scanning and their interaction with EHRs. This resource outlines for pediatricians and other users of immunization information technology optimal features of IISs and EHRs, key questions to ask an EHR vendor about 2-D barcode scanning, and a sample workflow of 2-D barcode scanning use in practice.
Access Immunization Information Technology: A Guide for Pediatricians on Immunization Information Systems and Two-Dimensional Barcoding (PDF; 12 pages).
Access AAP's Immunization Information Technology web section.
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CDC updates the diphtheria and lab support chapters of its Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
CDC recently updated the diphtheria and lab support chapters of its Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.
The Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases provides current guidelines for those directly involved in surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD), especially personnel at the local health departments.
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Still available! IAC’s sturdy laminated 2019 U.S. child/adolescent immunization schedules—order them for your exam rooms today! Bulk purchase prices available.
IAC's laminated 2019 U.S. child/adolescent immunization schedule is still available. The adult schedules have sold out. These schedules are covered with a tough coating you can wipe down; they will stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. The child/adolescent schedule is eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11".
Laminated schedules are printed in color for easy reading. They come complete with essential tables and notes, and they replicate the newly designed CDC schedule format.
PRICING
1–4 copies: $7.50 each
5–19 copies: $5.50 each
20–99 copies: $4.50 each
100–499 copies: $4.00 each
500–999 copies: $3.50 each
For quotes on customizing or placing orders for 1,000 copies or more, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.
You can access specific information on the schedule, view an image, order online, or download an order form at the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page.
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IAC's 142-page book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide, describes how to implement adult vaccination services in your healthcare setting and provides a review for staff who already vaccinate adults; IAC Guide available for free download
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 entire Guide is available to download/print free of charge at www.immunize.org/guide. The downloaded version is suitable for double-sided printing. Options are available online to download the entire book or selected chapters. The development of the Guide was supported by the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Expert staff from both agencies also provided early technical review of the content.
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
May issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available
CDC recently released the May issue of its monthly newsletter Immunization Works. The newsletter offers the immunization community information about current topics. The information is in the public domain and can be reproduced and circulated widely.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Reminder: Weekly CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics runs June 5 through September 25; register now
CDC is again presenting a 15-part webinar series to provide a chapter-by-chapter overview of the 13th edition of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (also known as "The Pink Book"). This is a live series of weekly 1-hour webinars that will start June 5 and run through September 25. The June 5 webinar is titled "Principles of Vaccination."
Recordings of sessions will be available online within 2 weeks after each webinar. All sessions begin at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Continuing education will be available for each event.
The webinar series will provide an overview of vaccines and the diseases they prevent, general recommendations for vaccines, vaccination principles, and immunization strategies for providers.
Registration and more information is available on CDC's Pink Book Webinar Series web page.
All the sections of "The Pink Book" (i.e., chapters, appendices, 2017 supplement) are available to download at no charge at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html.
You can also order this resource from the Public Health Foundation for $40 plus shipping and handling.
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