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National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 5–9. Encourage vaccination as this early influenza season disrupts holiday gatherings. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), observed December 5–9 this year, was established by CDC in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination activities throughout the holiday season and beyond. NIVW is a great time to send reminder messages and vaccinate all those who are not yet protected. Early seasonal influenza activity makes it urgent for you, your patients, and your loved ones to be vaccinated against influenza.
CDC encourages everyone to get their annual flu vaccine—especially those with chronic medical conditions and those who are pregnant. Get the word out using CDC's 2022 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit that includes social media messages, sample blurbs, a flyer/poster, and patient reminders.
Use #FightFlu to join the conversation all week and tag @CDCFlu on Twitter.
The Thanksgiving holiday delayed publication of CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report. See CDC’s FluView and Weekly National Flu Vaccination Dashboard for the most recent information.
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Register for December 13 webinar! Immunize.org with experts from the Autism Society present “Improving the Vaccination Experience: Accessible Vaccination for Neurodiverse People at Any Age.”
People with autism and other developmental disabilities have lower childhood immunization rates than their peers without autism, leaving them vulnerable to many vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccination visit can be especially stressful for these families. Effective strategies exist to reduce pain and anxiety during the vaccination visit.
Please join Immunize.org and experts from the Autism Society on December 13 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) for a free, live, 1-hour webinar, Improving the Vaccination Experience: Accessible Vaccination for Neurodiverse People at Any Age. In this webinar, we will learn more about the Autism Society’s practical tips to improve vaccine confidence by employing strategies to reduce stress when vaccinating neurodiverse patients.
 
Click the form above to register now for this important educational session.
If you work in a facility where neurodiverse people receive vaccines, you will want to learn more from our speakers:
- Danielle Hall, MSW; Program Manager, Vaccine Education Initiative, Autism Society
- Allie Tasche, BEd, MSLOD; Director of National Programs, Autism Society
- Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH; President and CEO, Immunize.org
- Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH; Director for Research, Immunize.org; Quinn’s mother
After the presentation, time is reserved for your questions.
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Immunize.org updates its “Vaccines: COVID-19” web page with CDC resources on bivalent booster doses for children age 5–11 and two new wall charts from FDA
Immunize.org updated its Vaccines: COVID-19 main page to incorporate CDC information on bivalent booster doses for children age 5–11 and to add two new vaccine presentation charts from FDA.
Immunize.orgs "Vaccines: COVID-19" main page connects you with a comprehensive list of resources from CDC and FDA including fact sheets, clinical considerations, vaccine administration tools, and storage and handling guidance. This page also includes a link to Immunize.org’s regularly updated print-ready checklist for current versions of U.S. COVID-19 vaccination guidance and clinic support tools.
 
Bookmark this page for quick access to links to key COVID-19 vaccine resource pages. We will continue to update this page as new guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines and new CDC materials are released.
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Spotlight: Immunize.org resources focused on the history of vaccines In this week’s Spotlight, we summarize resources at Immunize.org that focus on the history of vaccines.
Vaccine Timeline main page lists historic dates and events related to vaccines and immunization. From Edward Jenner’s first smallpox vaccination in 1796 to COVID-19 vaccines, this chart highlights scientific discoveries and technologies that led to rapid advances in virology, molecular biology, and vaccinology.
Immunize.org YouTube channel contains public service announcements encouraging vaccination. Compiled by vaccine expert Capt. William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, USPHS (retired), this collection spans more than 50 years.
History through Film main page highlights Protecting Health: Saving Lives, the documentary that covers the history of the Immunization Action Coalition (Immunize.org) from 1990 to 2020. Hosted by Sam Waterston, the 30-minute film was produced by Visionaries, Inc. for broadcast on more than 100 local PBS stations nationwide.
Publications Archive links to past issues of Immunize.org publications, describing the contemporary vaccine-practice issues of the time: Needle Tips, Vaccinate Adults!, Vaccinate Women, and IZ Express (formerly IAC Express).
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
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Immunize.org Pages and Handouts
Immunize.org posts seven translations of its parent handout “Immunizations for Babies”
Seven translations of Immunize.org’s popular handout Immunizations for Babies are now available for healthcare providers to print and use. Translations include:
Immunize.org’s most recent update to “Immunizations for Babies” incorporates recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination for infants beginning at age 6 months.
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Immunize.org posts seven translations of its parent handout “When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations?” Seven translations of Immunize.org’s popular handout When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations? are now available for healthcare providers to print and use. Translations include:
Immunize.org’s most recent update to “When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations?” includes edits to indicate that COVID-19 vaccine is routinely recommended for infants and children, beginning at age 6 months.
Featured Resources
Public Health Foundation and CDC release video explaining ACIP and how United States vaccine recommendations are made
The Public Health Foundation (PHF), in partnership with CDC, released an educational video titled Understanding the ACIP and How Vaccine Recommendations are Made in the U.S. The 5-minute video explains the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) role in and process for developing vaccine recommendations.
The video equips clinicians with information to make approved ACIP recommendations standards of care in their own clinical practice and to engage with patients and families about vaccination. These discussions can build understanding and confidence among patients while countering miscommunication around vaccine effectiveness and safety.
Learn more and watch the video.
Great gift idea! Immunize.org's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives" black enamel pins make wonderful holiday 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
“Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection—Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September–November 2022” published in MMWR Early ReleaseCDC published Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection—Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September–November 2022 on November 22 in MMWR Early Release. A portion of the summary appears below.
Monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were less effective against symptomatic infection during the period of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant predominance. . . .
In this study of vaccine effectiveness of the U.S.-authorized bivalent mRNA booster formulations, bivalent boosters provided significant additional protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in persons who had previously received 2, 3, or 4 monovalent vaccine doses. Due to waning immunity of monovalent doses, the benefit of the bivalent booster increased with time since receipt of the most recent monovalent vaccine dose. . . .
All persons should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including bivalent booster doses for eligible persons.
Access the MMWR article in HTML.
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“Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination Status among Parents of Hospitalized Children Younger than 5 Years with SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the Delta and Omicron Waves” published in JAMA
In the November 16 issue, JAMA published Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination Status among Parents of Hospitalized Children Younger Than 5 Years With SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the Delta and Omicron Waves. A portion of the discussion section appears below.
During both the Delta and Omicron periods, parents’ vaccination status was associated with a reduced risk of hospital admission for SARS-CoV-2 in children younger than 5 years. A study performed before the Omicron wave showed an association of parent vaccination with a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, with lower odds ratios likely due to older children in the sample. The association between parent vaccination and reduced risk of admission for SARS-CoV-2 in children younger than 5 years suggests that parents played a major role in transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to their young children during both waves, but the association between protection and vaccination seemed lower in the Omicron vs Delta period. The Omicron variant has been shown to be more transmissible, and the [monovalent] vaccine effectiveness against infection seems lower.
Global News
"Progress toward Regional Measles Elimination Worldwide 2000–2021" published in MMWRCDC published Progress toward Regional Measles Elimination Worldwide 2000–2021 on November 23 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
Progress toward measles elimination experienced setbacks in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
During 2000–2021, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 56 million deaths worldwide. In 2021, only 81% of children received their first dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV), the lowest coverage reported since 2008, leaving 25 million children vulnerable to measles. Measles surveillance continues to be suboptimal, and large and disruptive outbreaks were reported in 22 countries. ...
Reaching all children with 2 doses of MCV and strengthening measles surveillance is critical to close immunity gaps, prevent outbreaks, and recover progress lost during the pandemic.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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