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August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of on-time routine vaccination to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. This year, NIAM serves as a key resource to promote reliable, evidence-based information about the importance of staying current with routine immunizations.
Voices for Vaccines provides credible information for families, from families. The Voices for Vaccines' (VFV) NIAM web page includes key messages and social media content to grab the public's attention on immunizations. You will find customizable social media templates along with tips for engaging the audience. Share these messages and resources using the hashtag #NIAM2025.
During NIAM, remind your patients to schedule appointments to get up to date on annual exams and vaccines. Healthcare providers remain the most trusted source of vaccine information for both parents and patients.
Expired or spoiled vaccines are non-viable vaccines in their original container, such as an unopened/unpunctured vial or prefilled syringe. Per page 29 of the VFC Policy and Procedure Manual, all expired and spoiled vaccine should be returned to McKesson. Punctured multidose vials, such as Polio (IPV), cannot be returned.
Spoiled vaccines are the result of:
- Natural disaster/power outage
- Refrigerator too warm or too cold
- Failure to store properly upon receipt
- Vaccine spoiled in transit
- Mechanical failure
- Recall
Expired vaccine must be returned after the expiration date. Vaccine cannot be returned before the expiration date. Expired vaccine should be reported within 72 hours in KSWebIZ by completing “Vaccine Returns.” Vaccines are then packaged and returned to McKesson via UPS.
DO NOT REMOVE EXPIRED OR SPOILED VACCINE FROM YOUR INVENTORY IN KSWEBIZ! It will be automatically removed from your inventory when the return has been processed.
For more information on how to submit a vaccine return, see the KSWebIZ User Manual.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact your Regional Immunization Nurse or email kdhe.vaccine@ks.gov.
Join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science to discuss the importance of effective communication strategies in building trust and addressing misinformation about vaccine-preventable diseases. Speakers will share practical strategies to build trust with patients and caregivers and promote evidence-based care.
NFID Medical Director Robert (Bob) H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, will moderate the discussion with Erin O’Malley, Executive Director, Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, and NFID Director Jean-Venable (Kelly) R. Goode, PharmD, Professor and Director of the Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Register now.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE's) Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention is alerting Kansas providers that we are currently unable to maintain a sufficient supply of penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) – the first-line recommended treatment for syphilis – necessary to meet anticipated levels of demand from our clinical partners and maintain readiness for responding to potential outbreaks. The Bicillin L-A® manufacturer has not announced when normal ordering and shipping will resume. In the meantime, they are working closely with CDC and FDA to address urgent requests.
Due to these national supply constraints, it's essential that we preserve available Bicillin® stock for patients with syphilis, for whom it remains the first line and often the only effective treatment. We ask that alternative therapies be considered for non-syphilitic infections (strep throat, tonsillitis, etc.) wherever clinically appropriate.
During this time, providers and clinics that diagnose or treat sexually transmitted infections are advised to:
- Continue to follow CDC’s treatment recommendations. Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A®) is the only recommended treatment for pregnant people infected or exposed to syphilis.
- Doxycycline 100mg PO BID for 14 days (for early syphilis) or for 28 days (for late latent or syphilis of unknown duration) is an alternative for the treatment of non-pregnant people with a penicillin allergy.
Prioritize the use of Bicillin L-A® to treat pregnant people and babies with congenital syphilis.
- Providers are also encouraged to consider using Bicillin L-A® to treat people who can become pregnant or cause pregnancy that are infected or exposed to syphilis:
- Females under 45 years of age, and other people who may become pregnant
- Individuals without stable permanent housing / unhoused population
- Individuals with high-risk substance use behaviors
Prioritize the use of Doxycycline to treat people infected or exposed to syphilis who cannot become pregnant.
Complete the survey at the link provided to report current on-hand inventory of 340B funded syringes of Bicillin L-A® to KDHE: https://arcg.is/1zium11
Any further questions regarding ordering or returning Bicillin L-A® please contact Rachael.South@ks.gov.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the closure of the CDC Publications Warehouse in Sept. 2025. At this time, TB programs and partners can still order valuable resources at no cost to them. Tuberculosis education materials include fact sheets, booklets, posters, Think. Test. Treat TB. campaign materials, and more. Additionally, most materials are available in multiple languages.
Visit the CDC Publications Warehouse website at CDC Publications On Demand to browse their catalog and place your orders before the Aug. 15 Deadline.
Key Details:
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Final Order Deadline: Aug. 15, 2025
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Closure Date: Sept. 20, 2025
Register here for Complicated Issues in the Management of Preexposure Prophylaxis which will be held July 31, 2025 at noon CST
Register here for 2025 Update on Routine and Special Immunizations for People With HIV which will be held August 6, 2025 at 1 p.m. CST
Register here for Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis Civil Surgeon Webinar Series: Tuberculosis Screening in the Immigration Process
Click here for our full training list.
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