Issue 1,505: July 15, 2020
Top Stories
World News
Featured Resources
Journal Articles and Newsletters
Education and Training
On the Lighter Side
Top Stories
CDC finds adequate capacity among VFC providers to deliver pediatric immunization services during pandemic
CDC published Provision of pediatric immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic: an assessment of capacity among pediatric immunization providers participating in the Vaccines For Children Program—United States, May 2020 in the July 10 issue of MMWR.
A May 2020 survey of 1,933 practices participating in VFC found that 89.8% were open, including 81.1% offering immunization services to all pediatric patients. Almost 60% were likely able to provide immunization services to new pediatric patients.
Access the MMWR article in HTML format o r in PDF format.
Related Link
- MMWR's gateway page provides access to MMWR Weekly, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, and MMWR Supplements
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IAC Spotlight! IAC's "Talking about Vaccines: Too Many Vaccines?" gateway page features many resources to respond to this question
IAC's Talking about Vaccines: Too Many Vaccines? gateway page was recently updated. This page links to resources to help healthcare professionals explain to parents and patients the safety and importance of following the recommended vaccination schedule.
The resources listed in the left column of this gateway page link to materials on the websites of the following organizations:
In the right column of the gateway page, you will find more resources, including the following:
- A featured resource from VEC titled "Too Many Vaccines? What You Should Know"
- Videos for parents and healthcare professionals
- PowerPoint slide sets
- Additional research studies on the topic
- Link to IAC's website for the public, www.vaccineinformation.org
To easily locate this web page from anywhere on immunize.org, go to the light blue band of tabs across the top, choose the "Talking About Vaccines" tab (far right), and then select "Too Many Vaccines?" from the drop-down menu.
The direct link is https://www.immunize.org/talking-about-vaccines/multiple-injections.asp
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ImmYounity, an eLearning platform for healthcare providers about communicating effective, efficient, and confident vaccine recommendations for patients, now available
ImmYounity is a new eLearning educational tool for healthcare providers from Sanofi Pasteur designed to increase healthcare provider confidence by helping them engage in conversations about vaccines, enhance trust, and improve vaccine acceptance. This training is designed for the entire healthcare community including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistants, office staff, and pharmacy technicians. This training tool is of particular importance as healthcare providers prepare for the upcoming influenza season. The materials are unbranded.
This eLearning curriculum is available for smartphones, tablets, and computers. The education is personalized to the learner based on their role and experience.
 
Ninety percent of patients surveyed stated that the number one reason they accept vaccination is because of the recommendation of their trusted healthcare provider. When patients have questions or concerns about vaccination, a healthy dialogue that develops trust is essential. ImmYounity eLearning—grounded in evidence-based vaccine science—is designed to teach a communication process that facilitates effective conversations. Since ImmYounity eLearning is available to all healthcare personnel, it can be used to help align entire practices with the knowledge and skills to support timely vaccination.
Visit ImmYounity.vaccines.com today to register and start learning.
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IAC enrolls six new birthing institutions into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll; 18 previously honored institutions qualify for additional years' honors
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is pleased to announce that six new institutions have earned places on its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, for a total of 512 honorees. The birthing institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
- ACMH Hospital, Kittanning, PA (93%)
- Bellevue Woman’s Center, Niskayuna, NY (96%)
- Beverly Hospital, Beverly, MA (98%)
- Grove Creek Medical Center, Blackfoot, ID (91%)
- Saratoga Hospital – William J. Hickey Women’s Health Services, Saratoga Springs, NY (91%)
- Westchester Medical Center – Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Valhalla, NY (94%)
Three institutions are recognized for a second year:
- Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Beloit, KS (94%)
- St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, NY (95%)
- St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam, NY (96%)
In addition, five institutions are recognized for a third year:
- Montefiore Medical Center – Wakefield Campus, Bronx, NY (94%)
- St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital, Shawnee, OK (97%)
- St. Clair Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA (95%)
- Warren General Hospital, Warren, PA (91%)
- Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, PA (93%)
Three institutions are recognized for a fourth year:
- AHN – Jefferson Hospital, Jefferson Hills, PA (93%)
- Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Drexel Hill, PA (94%)
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, New York, NY (91%)
Two institutions are being recognized for a fifth year:
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, NY (99%)
- Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital, Dansville, NY (93%)
Two institutions are being recognized for a sixth year:
- Oswego Health, Oswego, NY (99%)
- Newport Hospital, Newport, RI (94%)
Two institutions are being recognized for a seventh year:
- Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, OH (99%)
- Miami Valley Hospital South, Dayton, OH (99%)
Finally, one institution is recognized for an eighth year:
- Montefiore New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY (93%)
The Honor Roll now includes 512 birthing institutions from 44 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and an overseas U.S. military base. One hundred fifteen institutions have qualified for 2 years, 73 institutions have qualified three times, 37 institutions have qualified four times, 23 institutions have qualified five times, 17 institutions have qualified six times, seven institutions have qualified seven times, two institutions have 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 percent 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.
Related IAC Resources
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Not-to-miss immunization articles in the news
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
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Stay up to date on the latest coronavirus information
CDC, NIH, WHO, and Johns Hopkins are closely monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Be sure to check the resources below for the latest information. Stay in touch with your local and state health departments.
Related Links
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World News
WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety reports on planning for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Weekly Epidemiological Record
The World Health Organization (WHO) published a report titled Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, 27–28 May 2020 in the July 10 issue of the Weekly Epidemiological Record. The opening paragraph appears here.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), an independent expert clinical and scientific advisory body, provides WHO with scientifically rigorous advice on vaccine safety issues of potential global importance, provides scientific recommendations for policymaking by WHO, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization, national governments and international organizations, recommends the creation of ad hoc task forces for methodological and empirical research into potential adverse events and prioritizes aspects of vaccine safety to be monitored during their use. The 42nd GACVS meeting on 27–28 May 2020, held online, addressed pharmacovigilance preparedness for the launch of the future COVID-19 vaccines. A summary of the session and the recommendations and conclusions of the meeting are presented below [i.e., within the article].
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Featured Resources
CHOP's VEC launches new COVID-19 vaccine Q&A page
The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has created a new Q&A page, CovidVaccineAnswers.org, dedicated to answering questions about COVID-19 vaccines. VEC's goal is to provide a comprehensive, useful, and trusted tool for the public and healthcare professionals. So far the Q&A page includes the following topics: types of COVID-19 vaccines in development, vaccine studies, availability, safety, and news.
The Q&A page also includes a form for contacting VEC with your questions or suggested topics for VEC to address during this challenging time.
Related Link
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In our "Video of the Week," Katie Van Tornhout, whose infant died of whooping cough, urges all parents to get Tdap booster
In this July 2020 video from Vaccinate Your Family, Katie Van Tornhout, a vaccine advocate, tells the story of her daughter Callie, who died of pertussis when 37 days old. Callie's infection was traced to a nurse in the hospital. Katie urges parents to get the Tdap booster to protect themselves, their family, and their community.
Visit the VOTW archive.
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“Shop IAC” on immunize.org offers many resources for your practice. Order laminated 2020 U.S. immunization schedules for your exam rooms today!
On the Shop IAC web page, you will find many resources such as laminated vaccination schedules, personal immunization record cards, pins for your lapel, and more! Your purchases will help IAC keep delivering free educational materials to healthcare professionals and to the public.
IAC's laminated versions of the 2020 U.S. child/adolescent immunization schedule and the 2020 U.S. adult immunization schedule are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccinations are given.
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The schedules' coating can be wiped down, and they’re durable enough to stand up to a year's worth of use. Visit the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page for more information on the schedules.
IAC’s three personal immunization record cards—child & 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 to your patients. They're sold in boxes of 250.
See all the products we offer at IAC's Shop IAC gateway page.
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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 book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).
This up-to-date, thorough "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 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 vaccination rates. Be sure to get a copy today!
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Journal Articles and Newsletters
“Patterns of influenza vaccination and vaccine effectiveness among young U.S. children who receive outpatient care for acute respiratory tract illness” published in JAMA Pediatrics
In its July issue, JAMA Pediatrics published Patterns of influenza vaccination and vaccine effectiveness among young U.S. children who receive outpatient care for acute respiratory tract illness. The study evaluated data from four influenza seasons and included outpatients aged 6 months to 8 years with a new acute respiratory tract illness with cough. The authors assessed vaccine effectiveness against medically attended laboratory-confirmed influenza by number of influenza vaccine doses received. The conclusions section is reprinted here.
Consistent with current U.S. influenza vaccine recommendations, our findings suggest protection against influenza for fully vaccinated children who received inactivated influenza vaccine, with higher effectiveness for 2 doses among previously unvaccinated children aged 2 years or younger. Promoting efforts to improve influenza vaccine coverage—particularly with 2 doses in the first vaccination season—may reduce the burden of influenza illness among young children, who are particularly vulnerable to complications and death from influenza infection.
Access the full article.
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“Building Immunization Decision-Making Capacity within the World Health Organization European Region” published in Vaccine
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Education and Training
Weekly CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics continues on Wednesdays, July 15 through October 14; recordings will be posted online
CDC is 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"). These weekly 1-hour web-on-demand videos, which began July 1, will run through October 14. The first two webinars, Principles of Vaccination and General Best Practice Guidelines, Part 1, are available online now.
This year, because of limited CDC staff availability during the ongoing COVID-19 response, the series will be prerecorded rather than conducted as live events. There is no registration process to view the sessions. The link to each course can be accessed on/after the indicated date.
The next two webinars are scheduled as follows:
- July 15: General Best Practice Guidelines, Part 2, and Vaccine Safety
- July 22: Immunization Strategies
Questions about the material presented can be submitted to nipinfo@cdc.gov. Continuing education is available for each event.
Information and program details are 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 $45 plus shipping and handling.
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Oregon Pacific AHEC offers webinar titled "You Are the Key to HPV Cancer Prevention" on July 22
Oregon Pacific Area Health Education Center (AHEC), in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and Samaritan Health Services, will present a webinar titled You Are the Key to HPV Cancer Prevention on July 22 at 1:00 p.m. (PT), 4:00 p.m. (ET). The webinar will also be presented live at the same time on August 6. Dr. Amy Wiser, a family physician, is the presenter.
The webinar's objectives are the following:
- Identify the appropriate HPV vaccination schedule based on the patient
- Give effective HPV vaccine recommendations for patients ages 11 or 12 years, as well as for patients age 13 years and older.
- Develop self-efficacy in delivering effective HPV vaccination recommendations
- Provide reassuring, confident, and concise responses to parental questions about HPV vaccinations
Register for the webinar.
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NFID posts recording of July 9 webinar on updates from June 2020 ACIP meeting
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has posted a video recording of its live July 9 webinar titled Updates from June 2020 ACIP Meeting. William Schaffner, MD, NFID medical director and ACIP liaison, moderated the meeting, which featured presentations by ACIP's deputy executive secretary, Jessica MacNeil, MPH, and Sarah Mbaeyi, MD, MPH, at CDC.
This recording, as well as several other NFID webinars from previous months, is available for viewing on the NFID Webinars gateway page. Select the recording you want to view and complete the brief registration form that appears to access the video recording.
Related Link
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On the Lighter Side
Not all monsters are make-believe in this 1998 vaccine promotion video from Aetna Insurance Company
This 30-second vaccine promotion video, Monsters, produced by Aetna Insurance Company in 1998, reminds us that not all monsters are make-believe. The video is part of a PSA collection curated by vaccine expert William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH.
Previous videos mentioned in “On the Lighter Side” are available when viewing this Vimeo video.
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On this day in history
Thomas J. Francis Jr. was born on July 15, 1900. He isolated influenza virus type B (1940) and developed pneumococcal (1930) and influenza vaccines (1943).
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