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Due to the Trump Administration’s decision to end a number of critical programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) experienced an unexpected and immediate loss of federal funding. As a result, on May 8, the Immunization Program lost several members of its nursing staff.
While we regret the suddenness of this action, please know that KDHE received no advance notice of the funding withdrawal from our federal partners. We are continuing to maintain communication with providers and stakeholders to support ongoing needs during this transition.
Please review the attached document for details regarding communication moving forward and updated points of contact.
We understand that this leaves you without an assigned Regional Immunization Nurse at this time. As we work to restructure our regions, please contact the Immunization Nurse On-Call at KDHE.ImmConsultant@KS.gov with any questions you may have. We appreciate your understanding and value the work that you do to protect the citizens of Kansas.
Due to the rise in measles outbreaks across the United States, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed and released new resources aimed at assisting public health professionals, healthcare providers and families in the affected communities.
KDHE has launched a comprehensive Measles webpage dedicated to supporting healthcare providers and local health departments in their efforts to manage and prevent measles. You will find disease information as well as frequently asked questions, provider resources and a measles toolkit in multiple languages. The KDHE Measles Outbreak Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the ongoing outbreak.
CDC resources include infographics designed for families and visual aids to assist clinic staff in recognizing measles cases and a Be Ready for Measles Toolkit. You will also find a quick reference on measles treatment.
Look for additional resources on the following sites:
Call for nominations!
We are searching for the next Kansas Immunization Champion and need help. If you know someone in your community who is fostering immunizations, please help us honor and recognize their efforts!
The Immunization Champion Award recognizes individuals who are working at the local level and is hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). The award honors those doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster immunization in their community for children and adults. Anyone can nominate an Immunization Champion. Champions are selected by their local or state immunization programs, who evaluate nominees by the following criteria: leadership, collaboration, innovation and/or advocacy.
Nominations must be submitted by June 2, 2025, and should be submitted on the AIM website at: Immunization Champion Awards - Association of Immunization Managers.
Who is eligible?
- Healthcare professionals (i.e., pharmacists, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants)
- Nonprofit Leaders
- Community activists
- Parents
- School and education leaders
- Coalition members
- Community-based organization members
- Immunization partners
Who is ineligible?
- Immunization program managers.
- County, state and federal government employees paid by state or federal immunization funding.
- Individuals who have been affiliated with and/or employed by pharmaceutical companies.
- Individuals who have already received the award.
- Groups – The award is only for individuals.
Visit the AIM website to learn more about the Immunization Champion Award and stay up to date with announcements. If you have any questions, please email info@immunizationmanagers.org.
The Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) sites monitor patients for influenza-like illness (ILI), which is defined as symptoms of a fever (>100⁰F) and the presence of a cough and/or sore throat. During the week ending May 10th, ILINet sites reported one percent of visits were due to ILI.
Syndromic surveillance indicated that one percent of emergency departments visits in Kansas were due to ILI. All data is subject to change. Influenza activity across the state is currently considered low. During the week ending April 26, the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories reported zero positive influenza A/H1 specimens and zero positive influenza A/H3 specimens.
As a reminder, outbreaks of any disease are reportable and should be reported to the epidemiology hotline at (877)427-7317.
Stay updated on influenza activity.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and National Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19. Both observances serve as a time to raise awareness about hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C while encouraging testing, vaccination and timely treatment. Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat affecting more than four million people in the United States. Untreated, viral hepatitis can lead to liver disease and death. More than 85,000 new infections and 13,000 related deaths occurred in the United States in 2023. Work with us to remind everyone that hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented, and hepatitis C can be cured.
UTILIZE HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH & TESTING DAY RESOURCES
A free, in-person, 340B University will be held in Kansas City on May 28, 2025. All individuals involved in the 340B program are welcome to attend. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Attendance at the 340B Grantees Spring Conference, which follows the training and has a registration fee, is not required.
Space is limited. Enroll here to attend the university.
Sub-grantees of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) must recertify for the 340B program between May 5 and June 2, 2025. Failing to recertify during this time period will result in termination of your 340B status.
Authorizing officials should receive an email from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding recertification. Before recertifying, authorizing officials (AOs) and primary contacts (PCs) must create individual user accounts in the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS). Shared access is not permitted. Failure to create accounts will prevent viewing accounts and completing recertification, which will lead to termination from the program. All active 340B IDs linked to an AO's account must be updated by the deadline to avoid termination.
Reminder that the TB grant information has changed this year.
Please see the Registration and Recertification Guidelines (PDF) and adjust your location information as needed.
For recertification assistance and current grant information, contact Rachael South, 340B Program Administrator, at 785-296-0866 or by email. For OPAIS account help, contact Apexus at 888-340-2787.
Click here to view the shipping calendar for the months of May and June.
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