IZ Express

Issue 1755: May 8, 2024

Top Stories
 
Featured Resources

Global News


Top Stories

Immunize.org introduces new "Translations" web page, simplifying access to our resources in 48 languages

For many years, Immunize.org has offered translations of VISs and other popular handouts for vaccine recipients. Now, we are pleased to introduce a new Translations web page that provides quick access to every translated resource on the Immunize.org website. Translations of one or more documents are available in 48 languages.

Languages are listed alphabetically in a simple table format. Next to the desired language, click on either “VISs” or “Clinical Resources” to view all documents in that category available in that language.

The "Translations" page is accessible from two menus at the top of each page: either the “Vaccines & VISs” or “Clinical Resources” menu. The direct link is www.immunize.org/translations

From the "Vaccines & VISs" menu:



From the "Clinical Resources" menu:



Patients benefit from having vaccine information in their preferred language. We hope this new page makes it easier for you to meet their needs.


Immunize.org posts nine new translations for two patient handouts and two screening checklists for vaccination contraindications

Immunize.org thanks the Fargo Cass Public Health Department in Fargo, North Dakota, for generously donating new resource translations in nine languages. The available languages for the following resources are shown in the table below. 

Immunizations for Babies: A Guide for
Parents

(View in English)
Vaccinations for Adults: You’re Never Too
Old to Get Vaccinated!

(View in English)
 Bosnian  Bosnian
 Dari  Dari
 Haitian Creole  Haitian Creole 
 Kinyarwanda  Kinyarwanda 
 Nepali  Nepali 
 Pashto  Pashto
 Somali  Somali 
 Swahili  Swahili
 Ukrainian  Ukrainian
   
 
Screening Checklist for Contraindications
to Vaccines for Children and Teens

(View in English)
Screening Checklist for Contraindications
to Vaccines for Adults

(View in English)
 Bosnian  Bosnian 
 Dari  Dari 
 Haitian Creole  Haitian Creole
 Kinyarwanda  Kinyarwanda
 Nepali  Nepali
 Pashto  Pashto
 Somali   Somali
 Swahili  Swahili
 Ukrainian  Ukrainian
   
Related Links
FDA issues EUA for pemivibart, a monoclonal antibody to help prevent COVID-19 in immune-compromised people age 12 years and older 

On March 22, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for pemivibart (Pemgarda, Inivyd, Inc.) as pre-exposure protection, in addition to vaccination, for people unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. CDC has provided guidance and links to resources on its Interim Clinical Considerations for the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines web page. Administration of Pemgarda should be deferred at least 2 weeks following COVID-19 vaccination. Of note, 0.6% of recipients in the clinical trial (4 of 623 recipients) experienced an anaphylactic reaction to Pemgarda, and administration should only take place in settings where personnel are trained and equipped to respond to signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

This long-acting COVID-19 monoclonal antibody is authorized for certain immune-compromised people age 12 years or older, weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg) who:

  • Are not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2
  • Are not known to have recent exposure to someone infected with SARS-CoV-2, and
  • Have moderate-to-severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or immune-suppressing medications or treatments
Related Links
National Academies evaluates evidence regarding adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination, finding harm is rare

In a new report, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviewed evidence on potential adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination. The report concludes that the evidence indicates:

  • The two mRNA vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, do not cause infertility, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell’s palsy, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine does not cause ischemic stroke
  • The two mRNA vaccines can cause myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) [no longer available or manufactured] may cause thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome



These findings are part of a larger report also reviewing evidence related to injury after improper placement of intramuscular vaccination. That portion of the report was summarized in last week's issue of IZ Express.

Related Links


Mother’s Day is May 12; thanks to moms who give babies a healthy start with recommended vaccinations

This Mother's Day, Immunize.org celebrates mothers and mothers-to-be, grateful for all they do to give children a healthy start in life. Protecting babies through vaccination begins during pregnancy. Receiving influenza, Tdap, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy delivers protective antibodies through the placenta from mom to baby, protecting baby through the first months of life.

CDC, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and other experts strongly recommend vaccination during pregnancy.



Tdap is recommended during each pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. Tdap helps protect infants against whooping cough (pertussis), which can be life-threatening for newborns, as well as neonatal tetanus and diphtheria.

People who get influenza or COVID-19 infections while pregnant face an increased risk of hospitalization and complications, compared to their nonpregnant peers. Getting an influenza vaccine during influenza season helps protect the mother and baby from influenza. COVID-19 vaccination should be given during pregnancy, whenever it is due. Both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are well-studied, safe, and recommended during any stage of pregnancy to help protect mother and baby from serious complications.

Babies also need protection from RSV in their first months of life. One way to do this is to get the Abrysvo (Pfizer), an RSV vaccine. Receiving this vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy from September to January helps to protect the baby from getting very sick with RSV during the first months of life. Babies whose mothers do not get Abrysvo should get nirsevimab (Beyfortus) to prevent RSV after birth.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers. Thank you for the hard work you do to safeguard the health of your children.

Related Links


May 8 is School Nurse Day, and National Nurses Week is May 6–12; thank the nurses in your life for their role in promoting vaccination

May 8 is designated as School Nurse DayNational Nurses Week runs from May 6 through May 12. Immunize.org is proud to recognize all nurses and joins the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) in appreciation of the dedicated school nurses who help keep schools a safe and healthy learning environment. School nurses bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, and advocate for quality student-centered care, including vaccination.

Acknowledge and celebrate school nurses as critical educators and vaccination champions by spreading the word across your social media channels today by using the SND2024 logo, social media tools, and the hashtag #SND2024 with your posts on May 8.

Related Links


Download this month’s updated “Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools” to verify you have the latest resources

Immunize.org revised its Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools to link to several updated CDC clinical resources. The following resources have been updated or are new.

The updated materials are:
  • Interim Clinical Considerations: new guidance included on use of COVID-19 vaccine with pemivibart (Pemgarda, Imvivyd, Inc.), a monoclonal antibody recently authorized for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis in people age 12 years or older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and meet the FDA-authorized conditions for use
  • ACIP COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations: updated recommendations on the Use of an Additional Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Adults Aged 65 Years, published in the MMWR
  • Interim 2023–2024 COVID-19 Immunization Schedule for Persons 6 Months of Age and Older: the schedule now incorporates the updated vaccine recommendations for adults age 65 years and older

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


“Why Should Healthcare Professionals Focus on Vaccinating All Adults against Hepatitis B Now?” Watch the 1-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube.

This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is Why Should Healthcare Professionals Focus on Vaccinating All Adults against Hepatitis B Now? The video briefly describes the risk of hepatitis B, even among people who may not realize they are at risk. It emphasizes the importance of universal vaccination as a safe and effective way to reach the goal of eliminating hepatitis B infection, and the liver disease and cancer it causes. 

The 1-minute video is available on our YouTube channel, along with our full collection of quick video answers to popular Ask the Experts questions.

Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise:


Vaccines in the news

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


Featured Resources

UNICEF offers digital learning platform to equip young people with skills to encourage vaccine acceptance in their communities

UNICEF, working with young leaders in India, built the learning platform FunDoo. In 2021, FunDoo launched in India to address vaccine misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the platform evolved to become a global skills- and knowledge-building solution for young people.

FunDoo is a free, experiential tool designed to work in areas of low or unstable internet connectivity. The module delivers bite-sized tasks focusing on a range of topics including how diseases spread, how bodies battle disease, and the science behind vaccines.



Discover more about the FunDoo learning module.

Related Link


Help Immunize.org reach more vaccinators through your social media networks. Follow us and share our posts featuring Ask the Experts questions and our clinical resources on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Immunize.org launched a social media program to highlight our educational resources for a new audience of vaccinators. Our social media channels now feature our most popular printable resources and Ask the Experts questions, as well as announcements important to frontline vaccinators. Please view and share our newest feature, the Ask the Experts Video Series.

   

Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise:


Laminated version of the 2024 U.S. adult immunization schedule is available from Immunize.org. Place your orders!

Laminated versions of the 2024 U.S. adult immunization schedule are still shipping. We anticipate selling out, so put in your order now!

While the schedule is available online from CDC at no cost, Immunize.org’s printed, laminated booklet is 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 content: 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 and to order today!

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

Related Links


Mighty handy! Immunize.org offers adult and lifetime handheld immunization record cards you can provide your patients. 

Immunize.org's personal immunization record cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, water-proof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent personal vaccination record and are sold in boxes of 250.

The child/teen immunization record cards have been discontinued due to low demand as immunization information systems are now widely used for young children.



Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.


Global News

WHO celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). WHO initiated EPI to provide worldwide access to life-saving vaccines for children. Today, every country conducts a national immunization program and vaccines are recognized as among the most successful public health interventions to prevent deaths and increase quality of life. In the past 50 years, 154 million lives worldwide have been saved by vaccinations, including 146 million children younger than age 5 years. EPI is central to this success.



EPI's 50th anniversary is an opportunity to honor both its achievements and to set new goals. Thank you to every health worker around the world who has contributed to the success of EPI over the past 50 years.


For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events.

About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

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ISSN 2771-8085

Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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