View this as a webpage

July 28, 2023

In This Edition

• August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)
• Back to school and immunization data
• Prepare for MnVFC flu vaccine distribution
• COVID-19 commercialization update
• RSV vaccines
• Current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Childhood and adolescent immunization rates decreased during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic but with all the efforts of health care and public health partners, we are increasing our immunization rates to near pre-pandemic rates. Health care and public health partners play an important role in ensuring children get caught up on vaccines they need. During National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), we encourage clinical practices to:

• Engage staff in learning opportunities with CDC’s Immunization Education and Training.
• Foster a culture where all staff (non-clinical and clinical) share clear and accurate information about immunization as well as create a supportive space that welcomes vaccine questions and concerns from patients and parents.
• Emphasize to parents that now is the time to check what vaccines their child may need, including COVID-19 vaccine and to schedule a vaccine or well-child appointment before heading back to school.

Don’t forget to promote that adults need vaccines too. Research shows that most adults believe vaccines are important and that a recommendation from their health care professional is the strongest predictor of adults getting vaccinated. Continue to educate your adult patients on the vaccines they may need based on their age, health conditions, job, or travel habits. Visit CDC: Adult Vaccination Information for Healthcare and Public Health Professionals to help you educate your adult patients on the importance of vaccination.    

Back to school and immunization data

Encourage families with school age children to schedule an appointment with their doctor before school starts this fall. School immunization rates have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, leaving more students at risk for a vaccine preventable disease. Although MIIC data shows an increase in childhood immunization rates, school immunization data from the 2022-23 school year shows a further decrease in rates compared to 2021-22. Immunization coverage rates vary by county, school district, and school. To understand how protected students in your local school district and school are, visit Kindergarten MMR Immunizations Map: MNPH Data Access.

Note that the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) sends text message immunization reminders as a free service for organizations in Minnesota. Local public health, schools, and child cares can use this program to send immunization reminders to their clients. If you would like to participate or want more information, email Health.miictexting@state.mn.us.

Prepare for MnVFC flu vaccine distribution

MnVFC flu vaccine distribution is expected to begin next month. There are a few things you can do to prepare.

Now is a good time to clear out inventory from last season. Please report any expired flu doses from last season by selecting report nonviable vaccine in MIIC.

We recommend reviewing your prebook request by following the steps below:

1. Login to MIIC.
2. Go to the Vaccine Management header on the left-hand side.
3. Select manage special event vaccine.
4. From the Event dropdown select 2023-24 MnVFC pediatric influenza vaccine prebook.

If you have any questions about your prebook request, please contact us at health.mnvfc@state.mn.us.

To make sure all MnVFC providers have adequate flu vaccine early in the season, and because different brands and presentations become available at different times, you can expect to receive your prebook order in a few small shipments throughout the distribution season. We will send out a MnVFC announcement when distribution begins.

COVID-19 commercialization update

The federal government will no longer procure and distribute all COVID-19 vaccines in the country beginning in early August. The last opportunity for providers enrolled in the COVID-19 vaccine program to order vaccine is 3 p.m. on Aug 2. Providers should order enough vaccine to fulfill their needs through mid to late September when the authorization of the next formulation is expected. At that time, providers must be enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and/or the Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccine (UUAV) program to continue to serve people who meet program eligibility criteria. To provide COVID-19 vaccine to patients not eligible for VFC or UUAV, providers must purchase vaccine on the private market and be reimbursed through insurance.

RSV vaccines

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first two vaccines for prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) for use in adults 60 years of age and older. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that persons 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine, using shared clinical decision-making.

For RSV vaccination, the decision should be based on a discussion between the health care provider and the patient, which might be guided by the patient’s risk for disease and their characteristics, values, and preferences; the provider’s clinical discretion; and the characteristics of the vaccine. As part of this discussion, providers and patients should consider the patient’s risk for severe RSV-associated disease. The RSV vaccines are 82 to 88% effective in preventing LRTD due to RSV.

Adverse events were similar across groups, however the GSK vaccine had more severe reactogenicity events than the Pfizer vaccine. Preliminary data shows there may be an increased risk of inflammatory neurologic events. Review the MMWR: Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines in Older Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or package inserts for more information about adverse events.

Current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)

Federal law requires anyone who vaccinates to give all patients, or their parents or legal guardians, the appropriate VIS before giving vaccines. Check your stock of VISs against this list. If you have outdated VISs, get current, printable versions at Immunize.org Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) CDC information sheets for patients.

Dates of Current VISs, as of July 24, 2023

*Updated or new

Find previous newsletters at Got Your Shots? News.

Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help  |  health.state.mn.us/immunize