Issue 1740: February 14, 2024

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Immunize.org updates our entire adult vaccinations series with 1-page handouts for your patients

Immunize.org recently updated its entire series of 1-page guides to vaccine recommendations for adults. Whether your patient is pregnant, has chronic lung disease, is missing a spleen, or has no specific risks, you will find a guide to vaccination suitable for them.

Where relevant, guides now incorporate:

• Vaccination against mpox
• Information on RSV vaccination 
• Use of MenABCWY as an option for adults needing both MenACWY and MenB vaccinations

Please be sure your practice uses the most current versions of each of the following:

• Vaccinations for Adults: You’re Never Too Old to Get Vaccinated!
• Vaccinations for Adults with Chronic Liver Disease or Infection 
• Vaccinations for Adults with Diabetes
• Vaccinations for Adults with Heart Disease 
• Vaccinations for Adults with HIV Infection 
• Vaccinations for Adults with Lung Disease 
• Vaccinations for Adults without a Spleen
• Vaccinations for Men Who Have Sex with Men 
• Vaccinations Needed During Pregnancy

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Adult Vaccination 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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February is American Heart Month; certain vaccines are especially important for people with heart disease

February is American Heart Month, a time for people to focus on their cardiovascular health. Every year, thousands of people with heart or vascular disease experience serious complications from vaccine-preventable infections. You can help protect your heart and health through vaccination. Vaccines of particular importance for people with heart disease include: 

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Pneumococcal 
• RSV (if age 60 years or older)

Related Links

• NFID: Vaccines and Heart Disease main page
• Immunize.org: Vaccinations for Adults with Heart Disease (PDF) 

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Review your COVID-19 resources with the latest version of Immunize.org’s “Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools” 

Immunize.org updates the Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools at least monthly, prominently indicating when it was last revised at the top of the page. Revisions to the February 8 checklist include links to CDC’s updated materials for storage and handling of Pfizer-BioNTech’s 2023–2024 Formula Comirnaty vaccine supplied in either plastic or glass manufacturer-filled syringes (MFSs).

Storage requirement revisions include:

• Glass MFSs must be stored at refrigerated temperatures (2^o through 8^oC, 35^o through 46^oF) and should NOT be frozen
• Labels on individual glass syringes and their cartons prominently display a “DO NOT FREEZE” warning
• Plastic MFSs are shipped and may be stored at ultracold temperatures (–90^o through –60^oC, –130^o through –76^oF)

To reflect these storage requirements, CDC updated its Pfizer-BioNTech 2023–2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine At-A-Glance and Storage and Beyond-Use Date Tracking Labels resources.

All COVID-19 vaccine providers should review this checklist regularly. Download the latest documents and discard any outdated versions. The checklist is posted on Immunize.org's Vaccines A–Z: COVID-19 main page to help practices stay up to date.

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools (PDF)
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Screening Checklists main page
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: COVID-19 main page
• Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: COVID-19 main page
• CDC: Interim Clinical Considerations main page summarizing use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States

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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 5, ending February 3, CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView shows that 25 jurisdictions experienced high or very high activity. Nationwide, 4.4% 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%. Eight pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported this week, bringing the total to 74 pediatric deaths thus far during the 2023–24 season. 



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 February 9, more than 36.5 million doses of flu vaccine were administered in pharmacies and nearly 24 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 3.3 percentage points lower this season compared with the same time last season (48.4% compared with 51.7%) and 9.9 percentage points lower compared with pre-pandemic coverage in January of 2020. Vaccination can still protect people now and as long as influenza remains active in your community.

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 age 6 months 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

Immunize.org is pleased to renew four institutions’ Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll status, retaining their standing among 580 honorees. The birthing institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses. 

• Fillmore County Hospital, Geneva, NE (93%) (2 years) 
• Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX (92%) (3 years) 
• Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt, KS (90%) (5 years) 
• Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA (94%) (6 years) 

The Honor Roll includes 580 birthing institutions from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, and our U.S. military base in England. 

The Honor Roll is a key part of Immunize.org’s 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 for hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting additional criteria. To learn whether your organization qualifies and to access the application form, please see Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online. 
 
Honorees receive an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for printing and framing. Their acceptance is announced through Immunize.org’s social media channels and to IZ Express’s 54,000+ readers. 
 
Please visit the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and celebrates their vigorous efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission. 
 
Related Immunize.org Resources 

• Give Birth to the End of Hep B main page  
• Fact sheet: Do You Qualify for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll? If So, Apply Today. 
• Handout on Immunize.org’s campaign: Give Birth to the End of Hep B 
• Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page 

Immunize.org recently updated two of its meningococcal resources:

• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Recommendations by Age and Risk Factor
• Meningococcal: Questions and Answers

For both, references to Menactra (Sanofi) were removed following expiration of the last doses of this discontinued product. Information regarding the recommended use of MenABCWY (Penbraya, Pfizer) was added. A QR code linking to the online version of the document was added.

  

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Recommendations by Age and Risk Factor (PDF)
• Immunize.org: Meningococcal: Questions and Answers (PDF)
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria

Immunize.org updated its Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patients Get the Correct Dose clinical resource. Minor changes were made, including the addition of a QR code linking to the online version of the document.

• Immunize.org: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patients Get the Correct Dose (PDF)
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resource main page to see educational materials sorted by category

IZ Express regularly provides readers with information about Immunize.org’s new and updated educational materials for healthcare professionals and handouts for patients. All Immunize.org materials are free to distribute.
 
In case you missed them during recent weeks, updates were made to these helpful materials:

Immunize.org Updated Materials for Clinicians

• Tools to support vaccine administration
  • Standing Orders for Administering Nirsevimab RSV Preventive Antibody to Infants (2023–24 Season Only)
  • Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Children and Teens
  • Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccines Use in Children and Teens
  • How to Administer Multiple Intramuscular Vaccines to Adults during One Visit
  • Sample Vaccine Policy Statement

• Checklists, questionnaires, and worksheets
  • Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools
  • Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Children and Teens
  • Skills Checklist for Vaccine Administration
  • Checklist for Safe Vaccine Storage and Handling
  • Should You Be Vaccinated against Hepatitis B? A Screening Questionnaire for Adults
  • Vaccine Storage Emergency Response Worksheet

• Questions and answers—information about diseases and vaccines: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Polio, and Rotavirus
• For pediatric patients
  • Immunizations for Babies: A Guide for Parents
  • Vaccines for Infants and Children Age 0–10 Years
  • When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations?
• For adult patients
  • Vaccinations for Adults You’re Never Too Old to Get Vaccinated!
  • Adult Immunization: Importance of Staying Up to Date with Vaccines
  • HPV Vaccine: A Guide for Adults Ages 18–26 Years

• CDC Recommended Schedules
• Ask the Experts: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
• Vaccine Confidence: Improving the Vaccination Experience
• Vaccine History Timeline
• Vaccines: Chikungunya

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page to see educational materials sorted by category
• Immunize.org: Ask the Experts main page to access more than 1,300 questions answered by Immunize.org experts

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Spotlight on the website

In today’s story, we continue to spotlight our link to state-specific resources: State Immunization Websites and Additional State Resources. These can be found by choosing the Official Guidance menu tab at the top of every page, then selecting States from the lefthand list. 

The State Immunization Websites page (righthand list) provides links to state government websites with information about each state’s immunization program, as well as childcare, school, or college immunization requirements. Select a state name to expand its section. 



Additional State Resources connects you to important contact information for state immunization program managers, as well as other immunization contacts, including perinatal hepatitis B prevention coordinators, and Indian Health Service immunization contacts. Links to other useful government and nongovernment organization sites are also provided. 

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Laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2024 U.S. adult immunization schedule are shipping now and available in the Immunize.org Shop.

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 adult 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, including large bulk orders, 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

Medscape offers an online monograph titled Pneumococcal Vaccine for Adults Aged ≥ 19 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023. Its goal is to help primary-care clinicians and other healthcare professionals apply ACIP pneumococcal vaccination recommendations across a spectrum of adult presentations. 

CE and CME are available through December 21, 2024.

Register for the activity.

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NFID offers several new resources and social media graphics to help raise awareness about influenza and RSV vaccines, long COVID, and the importance of vaccination for people with heart disease.

Resources include: 

• Flu and Chronic Health Conditions
• RSV Social Media Graphics
• Long COVID Social Media Graphics
• Vaccines and Heart Disease

 

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Immunize.org has offered three types of immunization record cards for many years: Child & Teen, Adult , and Lifetime. However, as the use of immunization information systems increased, especially for children, demand for our Child/Teen and Lifetime record cards declined. For this reason, once the current inventory is depleted, both Child/Teen and Lifetime Immunization Record cards will be discontinued. We will continue to offer the Adult Immunization Record.

All card types remain available at this time. To purchase record cards for your site, please visit the Immunize.org​ Shop.

Related Link

• Immunize.org: Shop Immunize.org main page