Maine Immunization Program Weekly Update - February 2, 2024

Maine Immunization Program Weekly Update

February 2, 2024

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RSV Webinar Invitation – Updated Guidance for Remainder of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Season.

The Maine Immunization Program will be hosting a lunch and learn webinar on February 8, 2024 @ 12:00 PM, focusing on updated guidance for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention for the remainder of the 2023-24 RSV season and preparing for next fall. We are pleased to be joined by experts from the manufacturer, Sanofi, to discuss nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for infants and young children. Topics will include recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use of nirsevimab, timeframes of RSV season, and planning for the next RSV season. We invite providers to join us for this exciting opportunity to learn more about RSV prevention.

Topic: RSV Webinar Invitation – Updated Guidance for Remainder of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Season. 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84248006212?pwd=bUMyYlRJNldzNm1od0JjSUxuSjRLdz09

Meeting ID: 842 4800 6212

Passcode: 65057837

One tap mobile +13863475053,84248006212# US


RSV Vaccine Reminder for Pregnant Women - Do not administer after January 31

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend the RSV vaccination (Pfizer Abrysvo) for pregnant people during 32–36 weeks gestation using seasonal administration to protect infants against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) after birth. In most of the continental United States, the RSV vaccine should be given to pregnant people from September 1 through January 31, regardless of year-to-year circulation, when infants would be born during increased RSV activity, and the vaccination would provide the most benefits to the infant against RSV-associated LRTD after birth. 

Infants born to unvaccinated mothers should receive nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody that provides immediate protection to the infant against RSV-associated LRTD.

BAP flyer

Bridge Access Program Through eTrueNorth for Independent Pharmacies

eTrueNorth works with independent pharmacies to provide Bridge Access Program COVID-19 vaccine. Through the Bridge Access Program, pharmacies enrolled with eTrueNorth can administer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults 18 and older.

eTrueNorth has provided this flyer with details on the program and how to enroll.


RSV Vaccination Errors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have received reports of the Pfizer (Abrysvo) or GSK (Arexvy) RSV vaccines being administered in error to young children. CDC and FDA have also received reports of the GSK RSV vaccine (Arexvy) being administered in error to pregnant people.

Please take preventive measures to avoid vaccine administration errors.

To prevent RSV-associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) in infants, CDC recommends either

  • Administering RSVpreF (Abrysvo) vaccine to the pregnant person
OR

Most infants will not need protection from both products.

For More Information:

Strategies to prevent errors

RSV errors