Celebrating 154 million children saved! After 50 years, World Health Organization's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) continues its commitment to reach all of the world's children.
Initially, the EPI focused on delivery of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, polio, and tuberculosis (BCG) vaccines. Today, EPI includes vaccination against Hib, hepatitis B, rubella, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, human papillomavirus, and (for adults) COVID-19.
A portion of the Lancet summary appears below.
Since 1974, vaccination has averted 154 million deaths, including 146 million among children younger than 5 years of whom 101 million were infants younger than 1 year [emphasis added]. For every death averted, 66 years of full health were gained on average, translating to 10.2 billion years of full health gained. We estimate that vaccination has accounted for 40% of the observed decline in global infant mortality, 52% in the African region. In 2024, a child younger than 10 years is 40% more likely to survive to their next birthday relative to a hypothetical scenario of no historical vaccination. Increased survival probability is observed even well into late adulthood. . . .
. . . Since 1974 substancial gains in childhood survival have occurred in every global region. We estimate that EPI has provided the single greatest contribution to improved infant survival over the past 50 years. In the context of strengthening primary health care, our results show that equitable universal access to immunisation remains crucial to sustain health gains and continue to save future lives from preventable infectious mortality.
Teaching young people about vaccines: reliable educational resources on how vaccines work
Planning for the next school year or looking for summer science projects? The resources below can help children and adolescents explore vaccines and the immune system.
Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for healthcare worker vaccination requirements welcomes a new facility
Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll recognizes facilities that take a stand for patient safety by implementing policies requiring healthcare personnel influenza vaccination. Immunize.org recently welcomed Valley Center Skilled Nursing Facility in South Charleston, WV, to our roll.
Eligibility
Eligible organizations: hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical practices, pharmacies, professional organizations, health departments, and other government entities
Requirements:
Your policy must require influenza vaccination for all staff
The application must describe measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated personnel to patients (e.g., masking for the entire work shift)
“Which Adults Should Be Vaccinated for Hepatitis B?” 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 Which Adults Should Be Vaccinated for Hepatitis B? The video briefly describes CDC’S recommendation for routine hepatitis B vaccination of all children and adults through age 59 years and of all adults age 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B. Adults age 60 years and older without known risk factors for hepatitis B infection may receive HepB.
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:
Spotlight on the website: External Resources menu available through “Clinical Resources A–Z”
Today, we turn the spotlight onto External Resources, where content from other credible and trusted partners dedicated to immunization is showcased. You’ll find:
Vaccine Manufacturers – including contact information and product lists
Vaccine Apps – selections to download from Apple or Google
Email News Services – information about how to subscribe to or view respected publications covering vaccine-preventable diseases and more
Immunize.org Partners – alphabetical listing of key organizations and professional societies with descriptions and links to websites
To access the External Resources menu, click on “Clinical Resources A–Z” at the top of the page and then External Resources in the left-hand column to view links to the four areas of interest.
The image below shows a collage of screenshots of the "Vaccine Manufacturers," "Vaccine Apps," and "Email News Services" web pages. Once you have entered one of these web pages, the navigation on the left side of the page provides options to jump to other related pages.
Recap: 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 A–Z” menu. The direct link is www.immunize.org/translations.
From the "Vaccines & VISs" menu:
From the "Clinical Resources A–Z" 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.
Recap: 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)
Xtalks podcast and article feature Immunize.org’s Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, with William Schaffner, MD, discussing new trivalent influenza vaccine for 2024–25 season
In early May, Xtalks Life Science Podcast released a podcast and a summary article featuring infectious disease experts Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Immunize.org, and William Schaffner, MD, professor of preventive medicine, health policy, and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University. They discussed influenza vaccination and the new trivalent flu vaccine for the 2024–25 season. Links to the article and podcast are below:
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
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.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases hosts “Preventing Hepatitis B Infection” on May 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and Hepatitis B Foundation will host a webinar titled Preventing Hepatitis B Infection at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on May 21 during Hepatitis Awareness Month. Discussion topics will include current U.S. recommendations for hepatitis B adult vaccination and screening, and strategies for effectively communicating these recommendations.
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.
