- “Use of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccines for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States” published in MMWR Early Release
- "Use of 21-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine among U.S. Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2024" published in MMWR
- "Use of Haemophilus influenzae Type b–Containing Vaccines among American Indian and Alaska Native Infants: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices―United States, 2024" published in MMWR
- Immunize.org updates its “Vaccines A–Z: Mpox” main page
- Immunize.org updates its “Ask the Experts” web page on COVID-19
- World Rabies Day is September 28. Do you know the current ACIP rabies-prevention guidelines?
- Watch and share the latest installment in Immunize.org’s Orientation Video Series: Introducing Ask the Experts (mobile view) to see how to navigate Ask the Experts on your smartphone!
- Journalists interview Immunize.org experts
- Vaccines in the news
- University of Washington offers free online lecture series on viral hepatitis; CME credit available
- Medscape offers educational activity on viral hepatitis; CE credit available
- Use Immunize.org’s suite of clinical resources to offer a positive vaccination experience and ease injection anxiety
- Recap: Immunize.org updates key MenB resources to reflect new FDA-approved Bexsero schedule
- Recap: Immunize.org posts its 2024–25 update to “Influenza: Questions and Answers”
- Recap: Immunize.org updates its clinician resource, “Standing Orders for Administering Haemophilus influenzae Type B Vaccine to Children & Teens,” adding Vaxelis (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB) as a preferred Hib option for American Indian and Alaska Native infants
- Organizing a new vaccination program? Use Immunize.org’s Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide—free to download
CDC published Use of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccines for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States in the September 10 issue of MMWR Early Release. The summary appears below.
The 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines provided protection against SARS-CoV-2 XBB-sublineage strains; however, these strains are no longer predominant in the United States. . . .
On June 27, 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccination with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–authorized or approved vaccine for all persons aged ≥6 months. In August 2024, the FDA approved and authorized the Omicron JN.1 lineage (JN.1 and KP.2), 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech (KP.2 strain) and Novavax (JN.1 strain). . . .
The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months to target currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains and provide additional protection against severe COVID-19–associated illness and death.
Access the MMWR article in HTML.
Related Links
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: COVID-19 main page
CDC published Use of 21-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine among U.S. Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2024 in the September 12 issue of MMWR. The summary appears below.
On June 27, 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended 21-valent PCV (PCV21) as an option for adults aged ≥19 years who are currently recommended to receive PCV15 or PCV20. PCV21 contains eight serotypes not included in other licensed vaccines. . . .
Adding PCV21 as an option in the current PCV recommendation is expected to prevent additional disease caused by pneumococcal serotypes unique to PCV21. Postlicensure monitoring of safety and public health impact of PCV use will guide future recommendations.
As illustrated in the table above, PCV21 (Capvaxive, Merck) is designed to protect against serotypes responsible for disease in adults. Unlike PCV15 (Vaxneuvance, Merck) and PCV20 (Prevnar 20, Pfizer), which are routinely recommended for children, PCV21 does not provide protection against certain serotypes historically responsible for a significant burden of disease in children that are not significant causes of disease in adults. For this reason, PCV21 is not licensed or recommended for use in children.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
Related Links
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Pneumococcal main page
CDC published Use of Haemophilus influenzae Type b–Containing Vaccines among American Indian and Alaska Native Infants: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices―United States, 2024 in the September 12 issue of MMWR. The summary appears below.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination with a monovalent Hib conjugate vaccine consisting of Hib capsular polysaccharide (polyribosylribitol phosphate [PRP]) conjugated to the outer membrane protein complex of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (PRP-OMP [PedvaxHIB]) has historically been preferred for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) infants to provide earlier protection in these populations at increased risk for invasive Hib disease. . . .
On June 26, 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that hexavalent Vaxelis (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, Hib conjugate, and hepatitis B vaccine [DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB]) should be included with monovalent PRP-OMP in the preferential recommendation for AI/AN infants based on the Hib component. . . .
A primary Hib vaccination series consisting of monovalent PRP-OMP or DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB is preferred for AI/AN infants.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
Related Links
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) main page
Mpox vaccination with a 2-dose series (4 weeks apart) of Jynneos (Bavarian Nordic) is recommended for all adults at risk of exposure to mpox. Details of sexual and close contact risk factors and guidance for vaccination appear in the current CDC Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule. An FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) remains in effect enabling vaccination of children younger than age 18, when indicated. Subcutaneous administration of Jynneos is preferred, following resolution of supply constraints early in the U.S. mpox outbreak that began in 2022. Intradermal (ID) administration remains authorized under the EUA when the patient prefers it and the vaccinator is experienced in ID administration.
Immunize.org recently updated its Vaccines A–Z: Mpox main page with current CDC and FDA links and resources.
This page features mpox-specific resources such as:
- Clinical Resources: an alphabetical listing of CDC materials on mpox for providers or for patients. Descriptions and available translations are shown.
- Ask the Experts Q&As on mpox
- VIS: links to mpox VIS and available translations
- FDA Package Inserts & EUAs: links to FDA documents specific to mpox vaccine
- Additional Federal Resources: links to clinical guidance for specific populations, storage and handling information, and other important mpox information from CDC
Related Link
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Mpox main page
Immunize.org updated its "Ask the Experts" web page for COVID-19 vaccine. Updates incorporate new clinical guidance for the use of the 2024–25 COVID-19 vaccines.
Immunize.org's Ask the Experts main page leads you to 30 distinct web pages on a variety of topics with more than 1,300 common or challenging questions and answers (Q&As) about vaccines and their administration. Immunize.org's team of experts includes Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH (team lead); Carolyn B. Bridges, MD, FACP; Iyabode Beysolow, MD, MPH; and Jane R. Zucker, MD, MPH.
Related Links
- Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: COVID-19 main page
- Immunize.org: Ask the Experts main page to access more than 1,300 questions and answers
September 28 is World Rabies Day. This date marks the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first rabies vaccine. Around the world, about 60,000 people each year die of rabies; in the Western Hemisphere, just 25 human deaths were recorded in 2023 through August 2024.
Established by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and recognized by the World Health Organization, this year's theme "Breaking Rabies Boundaries" highlights the need to achieve the elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs worldwide, a goal already achieved in most countries in the Americas, including the United States. Rabies can still be found in wild mammals in the United States, including bats, skunks, and raccoons. Vaccination of dogs and cats, and certain people, remains essential to prevent transmission to family pets and reduce the risk of human exposure.
Use the ACIP recommendations for rabies prophylaxis to guide who should receive this vaccine. Rabies vaccination may be indicated before a potential exposure (e.g., people who work with or have close contact with animals that may have rabies or laboratory specimens from such animals) or after a possible or confirmed exposure to rabies.
Further, you can help in the fight against rabies by keeping dogs and cats up to date on their periodic rabies vaccinations and collaborating with animal health advocates and policy-makers in your community to raise awareness on rabies prevention.
Access the World Rabies Day website for more information.
Related Links
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Rabies web page
- Institut Pasteur: Pasteur Museum (Musée Pasteur) website
Immunize.org is pleased to share a new “mobile view” version of our Orientation Video Series: Introducing Ask the Experts. This version of the 3-minute video shows you how to navigate the new mobile version of the "Ask the Experts" main page on your smartphone.
Available on our YouTube channel, this is part of our Orientation Video Series. Each orientation video will be made available in a horizontal version to orient you to the website as viewed on a desktop computer and a vertical version that orients you to the mobile version, as displayed on smartphones, to help you become familiar with the new look and navigation of the website.
Please share this video with anyone who would like to get the most out of Immunize.org’s website to support effective immunization practices.
- Immunize.org: Webinars & Videos Orientation Video Series page
- Facebook at ImmunizeOrg
- Instagram at ImmunizeOrg
- LinkedIn at ImmunizeOrg
- YouTube at ImmunizeOrg
Journalists seek out Immunize.org experts to help explain vaccines to the public and policy makers. We help the media understand and communicate the complex work vaccinators do. Here is a recent citation.
- Infectious Disease Advisor: Back to School Means Updating Childhood Vaccines (9/6/24)
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
- STAT News: Cause of Missouri H5 Bird Flu Case Remains a Mystery, CDC Says (9/12/24)
- Forbes: Whooping Cough Cases Rise in U.S. Following Pattern Seen Worldwide (9/10/24)
- CDC: CDC Confirms Human H5 Bird Flu Case in Missouri (9/6/24)
Our Clinical Resources section web pages were recently enhanced to allow a user to hide thumbnail images that appear by default when viewing this section of the website. This allows you to browse resource titles and descriptions with less scrolling.
The text “Hide/Show Images” and a toggle button is now displayed above every results list, on the right side of the page, above the “Sort by” drop down list.
Selecting the button hides the images while a second click restores the thumbnail image display. Documents are listed 65 per page, so you may see up to three pages of results. Your selection to show or hide the thumbnail images persists across pages of a set of results.
We hope this helps you more quickly find the clinical resources you need. Please continue to give us feedback as we aim to make our website work even better for you.
University of Washington launched a free Hepatitis B Online curriculum to help novice-to-expert healthcare professionals learn how to diagnose, treat, and prevent hepatitis B virus infection, while earning CME or CNE credits.
The website’s mini-lectures discuss clinically relevant topics, including a recent talk by Dr. Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, titled Top 5 Questions: Hepatitis B Vaccination of Adults. Mini-lectures do not offer CE credit.
Medscape Education released an education curriculum, Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers, featuring expert perspectives on preventing and managing viral hepatitis. Two sections focus on hepatitis C and the third focuses on universal hepatitis B screening and vaccination. The hepatitis B module was codeveloped and moderated by Immunize.org’s L.J Tan, PhD.
This free educational curriculum is intended for a U.S. audience of infectious disease specialists, primary care physicians, obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
To earn CME, ABIM MOC, or CE credit please click here.
In Clinical Resources: Improving the Vaccination Experience, Immunize.org provides print and video tools to create a positive vaccination experience and ease injection anxiety in children and adults. Links to additional resources from trusted partner organizations are also provided.
The web page links to all our printable clinical resources on addressing vaccination anxiety, two in-depth webinars, and six brief videos that run 4 minutes or less. The short videos are ideal to share with patient families on your website or social media. As with all Immunize.org resources, these are free to download, link, copy, and share.
The video topics include:
- Addressing Vaccination Anxiety: Strategies for Healthcare Professionals
- Addressing Vaccination Anxiety for Infants: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers
- Addressing Vaccination Anxiety for Children: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers
- Fainting Related to Vaccination: What You Need to Know
- Using Enhanced Screening Checklists for Contraindications to Vaccination
- How to Administer Multiple Intramuscular Vaccines to Adults During One Visit
Related Link
- Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Improving the Vaccination Experience web page
On August 19, FDA approved a new dosing schedule for GSK meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine (Bexsero) that matches the schedule for Pfizer MenB vaccine (Trumenba). The routine 2-dose schedule requires a 6-month interval between doses. If a second dose is given earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should be administered at least 4 months after the second dose. Immunocompromised people and those at high risk of MenB disease should receive a 3-dose schedule with doses given at 0, 1–2, and 6-month intervals. If the second dose of a 3-dose schedule is delayed and administered 6 months or longer after the first dose, the third dose is not needed. Bexsero’s original 2-dose schedule, with a 1-month interval between the doses, is no longer licensed.
Immunize.org is updating its MenB resources to reflect the new schedule. The first updated resources include:
- Standing Orders for Administering Meningococcal B Vaccine to Adolescents and Adults – several URLs were updated and sutimlimab (Enjaymo, Bioverativ Therapeutics) was added to the list of complement inhibitors. The precaution concerning latex allergy was removed because Bexsero packaging no longer contains natural latex.
- Meningococcal B Vaccine Recommendations by Age and Risk Factor – This one-page reference was updated with the new Bexsero schedule
ACIP is expected to review the new schedule at its October 2024 meeting. Questions about recipients of the previously approved 2-dose (1-month interval) Bexsero schedule are likely to be discussed. Until then, healthcare providers should refer to the updated Bexsero package insert for the currently approved schedule.
Related Links
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Meningococcal B main page
- Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria
The 2024–25 version of Immunize.org handout Influenza: Questions and Answers is now available. It includes ACIP’s recommendation for the off-label option to use high-dose IIV or adjuvanted IIV (licensed for adults age 65 years or older) in adults age 18–64 who received a solid organ transplant and are on an immunosuppressive medication regimen, without preference over other age-appropriate influenza vaccine options. URLs were updated throughout the document.
Related Links
- Immunize.org: Influenza: Questions and Answers (PDF)
- Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Influenza main page
Immunize.org updated its clinician resource, Standing Orders for Administering Haemophilus influenzae Type B Vaccine to Children & Teens:
- Vaxelis (Merck/Sanofi), a combination DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine, was added as a preferred option for American Indian and Alaska Native infants, in addition to PedvaxHIB (Merck)
- Precautions about latex allergy were removed because packaging is now latex-free
Related Links
- Immunize.org: Vaccine A–Z: Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) main page
- Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria
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 Progress toward Poliomyelitis Eradication—Pakistan, January 2023–June 2024 in the September 12 issue of MMWR. The summary appears below.
Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), the only circulating wild poliovirus serotype, remains endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which share borders and are considered a single epidemiologic block. . . .
During January 2023–June 2024, 14 WPV1 cases were reported in Pakistan, compared with 21 WPV1 cases during January 2022–June 2023. However, widespread transmission of poliovirus reemerged in the historical polio reservoirs of Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, as evidenced by a spike in sewage samples testing positive for WPV1. . . .
Addressing community demands for essential services along with redoubling efforts to track and vaccinate children who are repeatedly missed during polio vaccination activities will help to bring the goal of WPV1 elimination within reach for the Pakistan polio program.
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
Related Link
- CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications