|
Maintaining proper vaccine storage temperatures is critical to preserving vaccine effectiveness and patient safety. To ensure compliance with the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults Program (VFA) storage and handling requirements, all enrolled providers must follow program reporting and documentation requirements.
Monthly Uploads
Providers are required to upload digital data logger (DDL) data into KSWebIZ between the first and seventh of each month. This process verifies that continuous temperature monitoring is taking place and that vaccines are being stored within appropriate temperature ranges.
Uploads After Temperature Excursions
In the event of a temperature excursion, DDL data should be uploaded into KSWebIZ and an excursion report completed in KSWebIZ. A temperature excursion is defined as any temperature reading outside the recommended range.
Important Note About KSWebIZ Data
Please note that KSWebIZ only stores high and low temperature readings from each upload. It does not capture full minute-by-minute temperature data. Because of this, it is essential that providers retain their complete monthly DDL reports (both PDF and TXT files). These files provide detailed temperature readings at one-minute (PDF file) and five-minute (TXT file) intervals, allowing for a more comprehensive review of temperature trends or equipment issues that need further evaluation.
Record Retention Requirements
In addition to uploading data, providers must save both the PDF and TXT DDL reports each month and keep them for a minimum of three years. Electronic PDF and TXT DDL reports must be stored in a secure, shared folder or electronic location that appropriate staff can access. These records contain comprehensive temperature information and must be readily available upon request by KIP for temperature excursions, compliance reviews or site visits.
Why This Matters
Regular monthly DDL uploads and proper recordkeeping help identify potential equipment issues early, prevent vaccine loss, and maintain the highest standards of vaccine safety. Your diligence in maintaining these standards supports the health of patients and strengthens the integrity of Kansas’ vaccine program.
Thank you for your continued commitment to proper vaccine storage and handling practices. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your Regional Immunization Nurse or the Nurse On-Call at 877-296-0464.
Immunize.org recently updated several of their patient handouts for adults to reflect the most current vaccine recommendations.
These concise, one-page vaccination guides for adults now include the following key updates:
- The adult RSV vaccination recommendation for people at increased risk for serious RSV infection now begins at age 50, while routine RSV vaccination of all adults still begins at age 75.
- Adults are advised to “talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider” about COVID-19 vaccination.
- The meningococcal section now states “a combination MenABCWY is an option when both MenB and MenACWY vaccines are needed.”
The revised handouts for adults are listed below.
These updated resources can assist providers in educating patients, addressing vaccine questions, and supporting informed vaccination decisions during clinical encounters.
Updated Meningococcal Vaccine Handouts
Immunize.org has updated its one-page provider guide on Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine Recommendations by Age and Risk Factor and its co-branded patient handout with the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), You’re 16... We Recommend These Vaccines for You!
The provider guide now includes a new table outlining currently licensed and recommended MenACWY options — MenQuadfi (Sanofi) and Menveo (GSK) — with important clinical notes for each. The schedule for patients at increased risk for invasive meningococcal disease has been simplified. It also includes the pentavalent MenABCWY vaccine and notes that combination MenABCWY vaccines (Penbraya, Pfizer; Penmenvy, GSK) may be used for those age 10 years and older needing protection against serogroups A, B, C, W and Y.
The 16-year-old handout reflects the latest meningococcal and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, including use of MenABCWY when both MenACWY and MenB are indicated at the same visit. The COVID-19 section now advises: “COVID-19 vaccination may be recommended for you. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.”
These resources support providers in offering up-to-date, evidence-based vaccination guidance for adolescents.
Immunize.org recently updated two essential resources designed to help healthcare professionals guide patients to credible, science-based vaccine information.
- Need Help Responding to Vaccine-Hesitant Parents?
- This updated handout emphasizes nongovernmental resources and now includes LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org, short- and long-form videos from the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and additional materials in the “vaccines and autism” section.
- Reliable Sources of Immunization Information: Where Parents Can Go to Find Answers!
- Revisions highlight reliable nongovernmental websites, including the newly added LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org and VEC at CHOP videos. Updated CDC contact information is also provided, noting that assistance is available in English and Spanish.
These updated resources make it easier for providers to address common questions and confidently connect patients with accurate, evidence-based vaccine information — strengthening trust, communication and informed decision-making in clinical practice.
Related links:
Clinical Resources: Vaccine Confidence | Immunize.org
Clinical Resources: Parent Handouts | Immunize.org
Clinical Resources: A-Z | Immunize.org
Vaccine Education Center | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
For providers, laboratories and organizations engaged in the important work of testing and treating Kansans with STIs and HIV, the Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention’s STI/HIV Surveillance Program is excited to announce that the Kansas Online Reporting Disease System (KORDS) system can now be used for electronic reporting of STIs and HIV.
The system, initially developed for COVID-19 reporting, has been configured to receive testing and treatment information for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV. Kansas statutes call for both the provider laboratory to report to the state health department.
Utilizing KORDS to report treatment and testing for STI/HIV is meant to ease the administrative burden for providers, laboratories and community organizations and is not a replacement for existing reporting structure, such as electronic lab and case reporting (ELR, ECR, HL7, etc.) for larger medical facilities and networks.
As the first state to implement a statewide system of this nature, we appreciate the enormous amount of work put into the development of the program’s predecessor and the updates that allowed our team to mold the program to suit our needs. More than two years of development and testing went into the STI/HIV portal project, the combined effort of STI/HIV Quality and Policy Analyst Amy Rickenbaker, STI/HIV Epidemiologist Kristen Row and the EpiTrax administration team: Mike Lopez, Adrien Chen, Dane Howe and Sharra Myers. Our shared mission to improve health outcomes for Kansans will, we hope, be improved through these more efficient processes.
Utilizing the secure KORDS portal allows KDHE staff to streamline and improve data for reportable STIs and HIV. Benefits for providers include reduced frequency of calls and information requests from the state to complete STI/HIV history and treatment records.
https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2364/STI-HIV-Reporting
KORDS is currently open for registration and use for STI/HIV reporting. For facilities who previously used KORDS for COVID-19 entry, administrative and/or staff accounts may require reinstatement. New facilities must apply for a new administrative account. Administrative accounts allow facilities to register staff to enter reportable disease testing and treatment data individually or via a provided bulk upload template. Instructional videos and how-to documents are available for administrative and staff use.
Please refer to our website for complete reporting information https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2364/STI-HIV-Reporting.
For additional assistance with KORDS registration or use please email — KDHE.KORDSPortal@ks.gov. Please do not send any patient information to this email. If you have a case-related question, please contact KDHE STI/HIV Surveillance at 785-940-0786.
Are you new to TB prevention and care? The Curry International Tuberculosis Center (CITC) is pleased to announce new self-paced modules for just-in-time learning! Content covers the foundational concepts necessary for staff to conduct contact investigations and case management for persons with LTBI. All CITC trainings are free of charge.
This Level 1: TB Basics, Contact Investigation, and Latent TB Infection training includes five online self-paced modules, and one live interactive session. This online, asynchronous training for nurses and public health/disease control investigators can be accessed, started and revisited at any time during the course term.
What You’ll Learn:
Through five short, self-paced modules (30-60 minutes each), you’ll gain foundational knowledge in:
- Tuberculosis Basics
- Tuberculosis Contact Investigation Frameworks and Tools
- Tuberculosis Patient Interviews
- Diagnosing Latent TB Infection
- Case Management and Coordination of Latent TB Infection Treatment and Care
Click Here to Apply!
Self-paced Module Dates: Now until December 12, 2025
Additional training materials for TB nurse case managers caring for persons with TB disease will be provided in Level 2: TB Clinical and Case Management. Level 2 will be launching later this year.
Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis Civil Surgeon Webinar Series: Inside the TB Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons Nov. 6, 2025 at noon CST
Webcast Wednesday: DoxyPEP Nov. 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CST
Ratelle PTC: Connecting for Sexual Health: The Connecticut STI Management & Prevention Series Nov. 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CST
Check out our full training list
|
