March 2019 Newsletter

Maine Immunization Program Update

March 2019

Maine Department of Health & Human Services

NIIW

 

National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.

In 2019, the U.S. CDC is celebrating the 25th anniversary of NIIW. Since 1994, hundreds of communities across the United States have joined to celebrate the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our children, communities, and public health.

NIIW 2019 is April 27-May 4, 2019.

For more information about NIIW and educational resources to use within your practice, please visit the homepage. 


Maine CDC Warns of Misleading Flyer Regarding Vaccines 

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is warning Mainers of a flyer appearing to come from the federal Center for Disease Control. The flyer claims to outline a list of “known vaccine side effects” without providing references or citing any sources. Additionally, the website listed as CDC.org is not an active website, nor is it supported by the federal CDC. The flyers are known to have been circulating through big box stores in Southern Maine. Be advised that these flyers were not issued or endorsed by the Maine CDC or federal CDC.

vaccinate

email updates

Are Your Vaccine Information Statements

Up-To-Date?

An easy way to ensure that you always have the most up-to-date Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) on hand is to sign up to receive Email Updates. Please visit the U.S. CDC VIS page and sign up now! Please take a moment to look through the VIS dates below and swap out any of your outdated sheets. 

Education Corner 


Measles: It Isn't Just a Little Rash

From January 1 to February 7, 2019, 101 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 10 states.The states that have reported cases to the U.S. CDC are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. (Source: CDC)

Measles can be very serious and we want to ensure that the children of Maine are protected. Please take every opportunity to get your patients vaccinated with MMR, as well as other recommended immunizations for their age. For more information on measles and for infographics, please visit the U.S. CDC website.  

measles

2019 Recommended Immunization Schedules Now Available

The updated Child and Adolescent as well as Adult recommended immunization schedules have been released for 2019. They can be found on the U.S. CDC website.
immunization schedule

As we have done in previous years, the Maine Immunization Program will be mailing poster sized schedules to all providers enrolled in our program.


ImmPact

Reconciling Your Inventory

in ImmPact

As a friendly reminder, providers enrolled in the Maine Immunization Program are required to reconcile inventory at least every 30 days. However, to place an order, reconciliation must be completed within the last 14 days, along with an updated cold chain.