Issue 1736: January 24, 2024

Immunize.org made important updates to two clinical resources important to anyone who administers pneumococcal vaccines to children. These updates incorporate the latest CDC recommendations for use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15 or PCV20), as well as indications for pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in certain high-risk children when PCV20 is unavailable.

The two resources, Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccines Use in Children and Teens and Standing Orders for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine to Children and Teens, address what pneumococcal vaccination is needed in every scenario, in children from age 6 weeks through 18 years. They include risk-based recommendations, divided into immunocompromising and non-immunocompromising conditions, and further divided by the pneumococcal vaccination history of the child. A QR code links to the online version of each document.

   

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Standing Orders Templates main page 
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Vaccine Recommendations main page 
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Pneumococcal main page
• CDC: PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor mobile app website

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Coming soon! Immunize.org is launching a redesigned VaccineInformation.org website for the public.

In November, Immunize.org unveiled our redesigned flagship website for healthcare professionals. In the next few days, you will see a similar fresh, new look to our website for the public, www.vaccineinformation.org.  This site offers straightforward and accurate information about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases:

• Basic facts about vaccines and the diseases they prevent
• Patient-oriented vaccine resources from Immunize.org
• Links to resources from trusted partners that specialize in educating the public about vaccination
• Personal testimonies from people affected by vaccine-preventable diseases
• Videos and historic public service announcements in our video library
• Useful resources for people of any age who are anxious about getting vaccinated
• Contact information for state public health immunization programs
• Links to information to help people find where to get vaccinated in their community

Our redesign also includes new pages with basic information and key links on COVID-19, mpox, RSV, and dengue vaccines.
 

We hope the new look will engage more people with accurate, timely vaccination information online.

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January is Cervical Health Awareness Month; use Immunize.org’s “Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Questions and Answers” to educate patients on the importance of HPV vaccine 

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a great time to share the importance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This month and all year, offer your patients Immunize.org's Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Questions and Answers resource, updated in December 2023, to help them understand HPV disease and the value of vaccination. 



CDC recommends HPV vaccination for everyone 26 years old or younger, beginning as early as age 9. Adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their clinician.

Protect your patients from cervical cancer, and the many other HPV-related cancers affecting men and women, by recommending, promoting, and offering the HPV vaccine. 

Related Links 

• CDC: Cervical Cancer Awareness web page 
• CDC: HPV for Healthcare Professionals main page 
• National Cervical Cancer Coalition: Cervical Health Awareness Month web page
• American Cancer Society: National HPV Vaccination Roundtable: Resource Center web page
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) main page 
• Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) web page

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Influenza-like illness remains high in many parts of the country; continue to promote influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination

CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, provides a valuable picture of laboratory-confirmed influenza and influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity state by state. ILI activity is caused by a variety of respiratory illnesses, including three vaccine-preventable infections: influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.

Influenza Surveillance
For week 2, ending January 13, CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView shows that 25 jurisdictions experienced high or very high activity. Nationwide, 4.7% of patient visits reported through the Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat (i.e., ILI). The national baseline is 2.5%. Seven pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported this week, bringing the total to 47 pediatric deaths thus far during the 2023–24 season. More than half of people eligible for influenza vaccine have not yet been vaccinated, while around four out of five people who could be protected from COVID-19, and RSV through vaccination remain unprotected by vaccine.



RESP-NET
Visit the CDC Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) for weekly reports of hospitalizations across the United States due to three vaccine-preventable seasonal respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. 

Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC's Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows that as of December 30, more than 35 million doses of flu vaccine were administered in pharmacies and more than 22.5 million doses in medical offices (shown under Adult Vaccinations Administered). Vaccination appears to be lagging behind this time in 2022 in both sectors. Notably, coverage for all children is 3.4 percentage points lower this season compared with the same time last season (46.9% compared with 50.2%) %) and 8.8 percentage points lower compared with pre-pandemic coverage in 2020. It is critical to protect people now, as influenza activity is becoming widespread.

CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination. Influenza and other vaccines (including COVID-19 and RSV vaccines) may be given at the same visit, if indicated. Infants 6 months of age and older may receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit when they receive the RSV preventive antibody, nirsevimab.

Locate influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in your area by entering your zip code in the VaccineFinder on Vaccines.gov or Vacunas.gov. To be listed as a provider by VaccineFinder, see the information on this website.

Related Links

• CDC: Weekly National Flu Vaccination Dashboard main page
• CDC: FluView main page
• CDC: RESP-NET main page
• Immunize.org: free clinical resources and patient handouts related to influenza
• Immunize.org: Vaccines: Influenza main page
• Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: Influenza main page

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Immunize.org updates "Should You Be Vaccinated against Hepatitis B? A Screening Questionnaire for Adults"

Immunize.org made minor updates to its patient screening tool, Should You Be Vaccinated against Hepatitis B? A Screening Questionnaire for Adults. Minor wording changes emphasize the point that people age 60 and over who want protection and those at risk should get it, in addition to all unvaccinated adults younger than 60. A QR code now links to the online version of the document.

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Screening Checklists main page 
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Hepatitis B main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria 

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Do you need to know the year that CDC made a vaccination recommendation or FDA approved a new vaccine? Immunize.org’s Vaccine History Timeline main page was updated to include new events related to vaccines and immunization. 



If you would like to suggest an event to add, contact us at admin@immunize.org.

These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.

• PBS News Hour: As COVID Cases Rise, Doctors Worry about the Consequences of Misinformation (1/18/24)  
• Bloomberg: Measles Outbreak Should Be a Vaccine Wake-Up Call (1/16/24)  
• STAT: The WHO and Drug Regulators Want to Reformulate the Flu Vaccine. It’s Easier Said than Done (1/16/24) 
• Psychology Today: To Vax or Not to Vax: The Psychology of Anti-vax Bias (1/13/24)   

Immunize.org updated its Standing Orders for Administering Nirsevimab RSV Preventive Antibody to Infants to follow CDC's recommendation that healthcare providers return to ACIP’s original recommendations for nirsevimab use in light of improved supplies.

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Standing Orders Templates main page 
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria 

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Spotlight on the website

Longtime users of the Immunize.org website regularly visited the “What’s New” pages to locate recently updated materials. You can still find recent updates quickly by searching on our new What’s New on Immunize.org page.  

How to navigate to “What’s New” on Immunize.org

1. Click on the News & Updates tab on the menu bar found at the top of each page
2. Select Immunize.org Updates on the left
3. Then select Website Updates on the right

From there, you will see a list of all Immunize.org updates, beginning with the most recent ones. You can then filter updates by date of interest, resource type, or other categories. You will find updates for items in the following five categories: 

• Clinical Resources 
• Ask the Experts topics 
• VISs 
• Translations (VISs or Clinical Resources) 
• Web pages 

Each hyperlinked result includes the date updated, type of content, and an indication of whether it is new or updated material.

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Featured Resources

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

Confident recommendations for influenza vaccine from healthcare providers are powerfully persuasive. To assist you in maximizing protection for your patients, Immunize.org, in collaboration with CSL Seqirus, updated the 65+ Flu Defense website.

Older adults are at increased risk of severe influenza and COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death, especially if they are not up to date on these vaccinations. An updated fact sheet on the website, The Importance of Preventing Influenza and COVID-19, offers responses to help guide discussions with patients on the importance of preventing influenza and COVID-19. 



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:

• Influenza in Adults 65+: The Facts
• Influenza Vaccination: Questions Patients Aged 65 and Older Frequently Ask Their HCP
• The Importance of Preventing Influenza and COVID-19

Check out the updated 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org to assist your ongoing efforts in protecting this vulnerable population.

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Place your order! Sturdy, laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. immunization schedules from Immunize.org ship by early February.

Laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2024 U.S. adult immunization schedule are now available for order in the Immunize.org shop. The schedules are being printed now and will begin shipping by February.
 
While the schedules are available online from CDC at no cost, Immunize.org’s printed, laminated booklets are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccinations are given.

• Durable: their tough coating can be wiped down, and they’re durable enough to stand up to a year's worth of use
• Format: each schedule is produced in a 16-page, 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
• Easy access to CDC updates: CDC added an online addendum page to the schedule, where new recommendations from ACIP made during 2024 can be posted. The laminated schedule addendum pages include custom QR codes you can scan to view or print the current CDC addendum from CDC's website, as needed.
• Adult schedule bonus: the adult schedule includes 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

• 1 copy: $10.00
• 2–4 copies: $9.50 each
• 5–19 copies: $8.50 each
• 20–99 copies: $7.50 each
• 100–499 copies: $6.00 each
• 500–999 copies: $5.00 each
• 1,000–1,999 copies: $4.00 each
• 2,000+ copies: $3.25 each

Visit the Shop Immunize.org: Laminated Schedules web page to view images of all the pages, to download the order form, and to order today!

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

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Laminated Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedules (0–18 years) web page
• Immunize.org: Laminated Adult Immunization Schedules (19 and older) web page
• Immunize.org: Shop Immunize.org main page 

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Flash Facts: Vaccines & Immunization—2024 now available for purchase as print or e-book

Flash Facts: Vaccines & Immunization—2024 is available to purchase for the first time as either a paperback or an e-book via Kindle. John Grabenstein, RPh, PhD, managing editor of IZ Express, and Laurie Grabenstein, RN are the authors. This resource is independent of Immunize.org.

• Print format: the 439-page print option is 8¼" wide x 6" high (cost $24.99)
• E-book: The e-book can be viewed at read.amazon.com or with the free Kindle app. The e-book will be auto-updated several times as new vaccines are licensed or recommendations change. This e-book permits highlighting passages and taking notes within the app (cost $9.99).

Topics: Six major sections help clinical staff in real-world practice:

• Preventable Diseases: clinical features, microbiology, transmission
• Vaccine Products: routine, travel, niche
• Antibody Products: passive immunization
• Case Studies: by age, health status, occupation, personal risk factors
• Travel Health: routes of exposure to risks, self-care, consults, geographic foci
• Clinical Tools: dozens of tables, lists, tips

The book is available on Amazon.com. 



A detailed table of contents, trainer guide, and sample pages appear on www.vaccinedynamics.com.

 

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Download Immunize.org’s free 142-page book on adult vaccination to help build your program and train your team: Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).

 

This thorough "how to" guide on adult vaccination provides easy-to-use, practical information covering all essential activities. It helps vaccine providers enhance their existing adult vaccination services or introduce them into any clinical setting.

The Guide is available to download/print either by chapter or in its entirety free of charge. The National Vaccine Program Office and CDC both supported the development of the Guide and provided early technical review.

The Guide is a valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult vaccination rates. Be sure to get a copy today!

Please note: this guide was produced in 2017, before the COVID-19 era, and reflects the recommendations of that time.

Related Links

• Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide main page, permitting download of entire Guide (142 pages, PDF)
• View the table of contents and individual chapters (PDF):
  • Table of Contents
  • Step 1: Getting Started
  • Step 2: Setting Up for Vaccination Services
  • Step 3: Vaccine Storage and Handling
  • Step 4: Deciding Whom to Vaccinate
  • Step 5: Administering Vaccines
  • Step 6: Documentation and Related Issues
  • Step 7A: Financial Considerations
  • Step 7B: How to Bill for Adult Immunizations
• Immunize.org’s Clinical Resources (handouts) on adult immunization

CDC published Mpox Outbreak—Los Angeles County, California, May 4–August 17, 2023 on January 18 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. 

Mpox has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Vaccination against mpox has been shown to be protective against symptomatic mpox. . . .

Mpox transmission occurred in Los Angeles County, California, during May–August 2023 at lower levels than in 2022 but at higher levels than during previous months and in other U.S. jurisdictions. Most mpox patients were not fully vaccinated. Two mild reinfections were reported. . . .

Mpox continues to spread within Los Angeles County. This outbreak underscores the ongoing need for accessible mpox vaccination for persons at risk, particularly among young, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino persons, and persons living with HIV.

Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

• CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications

On January 5, JAMA Network published Is Vaccination Approaching a Dangerous Tipping Point? This online commentary from Peter Marks, director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, addresses disturbing trends in vaccine misinformation and increasing rates of vaccine refusal, despite strong evidence of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. The concluding paragraph is below:
 
We believe that the best way to counter the current large volume of vaccine misinformation is to dilute it with large amounts of truthful, accessible scientific evidence. To reduce deaths, hospitalization, and the burden on families and the health care system, all those directly interacting with individuals in a health care setting, ranging from front office staff to retail pharmacists to primary care physicians, need to focus at every appropriate opportunity on helping to ensure that individuals have the necessary information to make informed choices regarding vaccination, considering the benefits and risks. By doing so, we can both help prevent pediatric infectious diseases and dramatically reduce the harm from pathogens such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus disease before we have another large wave of any of these vaccine-preventable illnesses. We will do our part at FDA by continuing to provide health care clinicians and the general public with timely and accurate information in plain language to help explain the benefits and risks of vaccination.