Issue 1484: March 18, 2020
TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
TOP STORIES
Hot off the press! IAC’s laminated 2020 U.S. child/adolescent and adult immunization schedules—order copies for your exam rooms today!
IAC's laminated versions of the 2020 U.S. child/adolescent immunization schedule and the 2020 U.S. adult immunization schedule are available now.
These schedules are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccinations are given. Their tough coating can be wiped down, and they’re durable enough to stand up to a year's worth of use.
The child/adolescent schedule is eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and the adult schedule is six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages), but both schedules fold down to a convenient 8.5" x 11" size.
 
With color coding for easy reading, our laminated schedules replicate the original CDC formatting, including the essential tables and notes.
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 of 1,000 copies or more, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org
Visit the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page for more information on the schedules, to view images of all the pages, to download the PDF order form, or to order online.
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CDC reports flu activity remains high, with pediatric flu deaths accumulating; please continue vaccinating
Seasonal influenza activity reported by clinical labs in the United States remains high, according to CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView. Forty-eight states and Puerto Rico reported widespread activity, one state reported regional activity, while the District of Columbia and one state reported local activity for the week ending March 7.
The overall cumulative hospitalization rate, 61.6 per 100,000 population, is higher than in all recent seasons at this time of year except for the 2017–18 season. An additional eight influenza-associated pediatric deaths between weeks 6 and 10 (the weeks ending February 8, 2020 and March 7, 2020) were reported to CDC. A total of 144 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2019–20 season. CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 36 million flu illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths from flu.
Visit the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, for details.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 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 or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate influenza vaccination services near them.
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IAC enrolls three new birthing institutions into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll; 24 previously honored institutions qualify for additional years' honors
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is pleased to announce that three new institutions have been accepted into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, for a total of 502 honorees. The birthing institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
- St. Joseph’s Hospital–South, Riverview, FL (92%)
- Ascension Genesys Hospital, Grand Blanc, MI (90%)
- CHI St. Luke’s Health–Memorial Livingston, Livingston, TX (98%)
The following four institutions are being recognized for a second year:
- Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral, FL (97%)
- McLaren Northern Michigan, Petoskey, MI (91%)
- HealthPark Medical Center, Fort Myers, FL (98%)
- Dickinson County Healthcare System, Iron Mountain, MI (91%)
The following three institutions are being recognized for a third year:
- McLaren Greater Lansing, Lansing, MI (92%)
- MidMichigan Medical Center–Alpena, Alpena, MI (92%)
- Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Battle Creek, MI (91%)
The following five institutions are being recognized for a fourth year:
- Harrison County Hospital, Corydon, IN (95%)
- McLaren Central Michigan, Mt. Pleasant, MI (92%)
- Oaklawn Hospital, Marshall, MI (90%)
- St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, MI (91%)
- Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital–St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MI (95%)
The following three institutions are being recognized for a fifth year:
- Memorial Healthcare, Owosso, MI (92%)
- Spectrum Health Big Rapids, Big Rapids, MI (94%)
- North Ottawa Community Health System, Grand Haven, MI (91%)
The following seven institutions are being recognized for a sixth year:
- Sagua Managua, Tamuning, GU (99%)
- ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Coldwater, MI (95%)
- Mercy Health Hackley Campus, Muskegon, MI (93%)
- MidMichigan Medical Center–Gratiot, Alma, MI (95%)
- Spectrum Health United Hospital, Greenville, MI (95%)
- Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital–Niles, Niles, MI (94%)
- ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, Monroe, MI (92%)
The following institution is being recognized for an eighth year:
- Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, Ludington, MI (95%)
Finally, the following institution is being recognized for a ninth year:
- Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, Tamuning, GU (99%)
The Honor Roll now includes 502 birthing institutions from 44 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and an overseas U.S. military base. One hundred twelve institutions have qualified for two years, 56 institutions have qualified three times, 33 institutions have qualified four times, 22 institutions have qualified five times, 15 institutions have qualified six times, four institutions have qualified seven times, one institution has qualified eight times, and one institution has qualified nine times.
The Honor Roll is a key part of IAC’s major initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give Birth to the End of Hep B. Hospitals and birthing centers are recognized for attaining high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting specific additional criteria. The initiative urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online.
To be included in the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, a birthing institution must have: (1) reported a coverage rate of 90% or greater, over a 12-month period, for administering hepatitis B vaccine before hospital discharge to all newborns, including those whose parents refuse vaccination, and (2) implemented specific written policies, procedures, and protocols to protect all newborns from hepatitis B virus infection prior to hospital discharge.
Honorees are also awarded an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for framing and their acceptance is announced to IAC Express’s approximately 52,000 readers.
Please visit the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and their exceptional efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission.
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Reminder: “Dear Colleague” call-to-action letter from AAFP, AAP, ACHA, ACOG, APhA, SAHM, and IAC stresses implementation of immunization visit at 16 years of age
On August 1, IAC and six professional societies published a "Dear Colleague" letter titled 16-Year-Old Patients: Make Sure They Receive Their Annual Well Visit and Vaccinations. Click on the image below to read the letter.
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Nurses Who Vaccinate founder discusses how their global network of nurses connects with vaccine-hesitant parents
Nurses Who Vax, a podcast released March 9, features Melody Butler, BSN, RN, CIC, the founder of Nurses Who Vaccinate, an association with over 1,000 nurse members worldwide. With podcast host Shawna Butler, RN, MBA, Melody Butler discusses why she built a global advocacy network of nurses to advocate for vaccines and how the network is connecting with the public through social media and face-to-face in communities. These conversations include those with people who are vaccine-hesitant to help them make prudent decisions about vaccination.
This podcast is part of the See You Now podcast series, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and the American Nurses Association.
Listen to the 51-minute podcast:
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Not-to-miss immunization articles in the news
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Stay up to date on the latest coronavirus information from CDC and WHO
CDC and WHO are closely monitoring outbreaks of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Be sure to check the resources below for the latest information. Stay in touch with your local and state health departments.
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IAC HANDOUTS
IAC updates three key resources for healthcare professionals to protect newborns from hepatitis B infection
IAC recently updated three resources for hospitals to help protect newborns against hepatitis B virus infection:
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IAC revises its resource for patients titled "Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers"
IAC recently revised Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers. Changes were made to update the morbidity data for pneumococcal disease, to incorporate the revised recommendation to no longer provide PCV13 (Prevnar) routinely to all adults at age 65, and to describe the risk factors that determine which adults should receive PCV13.
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FEATURED RESOURCES
IAC's hand-held immunization record cards available for all ages!
IAC’s three personal immunization record cards—child and teen, adult, and lifetime—are printed on durable rip-, smudge-, and water-proof paper. Sized to fit in a wallet when folded, the cards are brightly colored to stand out. Give these nearly indestructible personal record cards routinely to your patients. They're sold in boxes of 250.
For pricing and ordering information, click on a link below:
For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.
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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) published its 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
“Pediatricians’ Experiences with and Perceptions of the Vaccines For Children Program” published in Pediatrics
In its March issue, Pediatrics published Pediatricians’ Experiences with and Perceptions of the Vaccines For Children Program, by S.T. O'Leary, et al. Key portions of results and conclusions are reprinted below.
RESULTS: ... Participating pediatricians rated, on a scale from −5 (high burden) to +5 (high benefit), their overall perception of the VFC: 63% reported +4 or +5, 23% reported +1 to +3, 5% reported 0, and 9% reported −1 to −5. Of pediatricians, 39% reported awareness of temporary increased payment for VFC vaccine administration. Among those, 10% reported that their practice increased the proportion of Medicaid and/or VFC-eligible patients served on the basis of this change.
CONCLUSIONS: For most pediatricians, perceived benefits of VFC participation far outweigh perceived burdens. To ensure the program’s ongoing success, it will be important to monitor factors influencing provider participation.
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