October 2018 Newsletter

Maine Department of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 10/05/2018 10:14 AM EDT

Maine Immunization Program Update

October 2018

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vaccinate

Promoting Flu Vaccination in Your Office

The flu vaccine is now available and we want to make sure that you are ready!

Be sure to:

  • Stock patient educational resources about influenza vaccination. 
  • Plan ahead and prepare patient lists, notifications, and scheduling. Use the ImmPact registry or your clinic’s own system to remind patients and set up recall notifications for patients needing second doses. Make sure that children with high-risk conditions are identified, and vaccinated as early as possible. 
  • Issue prepared notification to patients about flu clinics, once flu vaccine arrives at your practice. Use every visit as an opportunity to immunize and protect patients against flu.

For more resources and print materials, click here. 

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From the Patient Perspective

A staff member had visited a provider office recently to receive a vaccination, but was not offered a Vaccine Information Statement (VISs) beforehand.

When we are in offices for compliance visits, we find that practices are aware of the need for VISs to be given out, before the vaccination. In the clinical setting, it is possible for this to be overlooked. Please review with your staff the Federal law. 

Federal law requires that VISs must be used for patients of all ages when administering these vaccines:

  • DTaP (includes DT)
  • Td and Tdap
  • Hib 
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • HPV
  • Influenza (inactivated, live, intranasal)
  • MMR and MMRV
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal conjugate
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Varicella

Guide for Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years

Some children between the ages of 6 months through 8 years may require 2 doses of influenza vaccine this season. The algorithm below can help you determine how many doses your young patients may need. To view the full document, click here.

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webinar

Upcoming Events 

Valerie MacKenzie will continue to conduct twice monthly webinars for vaccine coordinators. These webinars will cover the requirements and responsibilities to participate in the Maine Immunization Program (MIP). The material covered will be a great refresher for anyone that has been participating in the program and ideal for someone who is new to the coordinator roll. 

  • Wednesday, October 10th at 12:15 PM
  • Friday, October 26th at 9:30 AM
  • Friday, November 9th at 2 PM
  • Wednesday, November 28th at 12:15 PM
  • Monday, December 3rd at 12:15 PM
  • Thursday, December 13th at 9:30 AM 

Stay tuned for call-in information. 

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Vaccine Information Statements 

Please ensure that all Vaccine Information Statements in your office are the most current version. 

Click here to be taken to the current list of VIS sheets available on the CDC website. By signing up for "Email Updates" on this page, you will receive notifications when VIS sheets are updated.