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Viral respiratory diseases, particularly COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, can cause a significant amount of illness and may make some people very sick leading to hospitalization or death. To help make it easier for people to see what is happening, MDH created a new webpage, Viral Respiratory Illness in Minnesota (Data & Statistics)as a one-stop shop for viral respiratory disease data. The page currently has interactive data on hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for the seven-county metropolitan area (among children and adults). In the coming weeks and months, MDH will add data to provide more information on circulating viral respiratory diseases.
The full Weekly Influenza & Respiratory Activity: Statistics report (containing influenza and RSV trends) and the COVID-19 Situation Update will continue to be updated weekly and there will be a link to those sites from the new page. Each page will be updated weekly Thursday at 11 a.m.
To receive email reminders when the pages are updated, subscribe to Respiratory Illness Activity in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) forecaster has been updated to include a schedule for the administration of infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab). MIIC will now recommend a dose of nirsevimab at birth up to 8 months of age. While there is also an ACIP recommendation for infants 8 to 19 months old at higher risk of severe RSV disease to receive a dose of nirsevimab in their second RSV season, MIIC does not forecast for these populations. The MIIC forecaster will only consider the first valid dose of monoclonal antibodies. Doses given beyond the first dose or after 8 months of age will not affect the forecaster. ACIP recommends administration during the RSV season, which is not reflected in MIIC.
The forecaster is a helpful tool, but we recommend you continue to use clinical judgement and the CDC: MMWR: Use of Nirsevimab for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Among Infants and Young Children: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023 to inform decisions for immunization.
An updated VIS for COVID-19 vaccine is now available at CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statement. A VIS for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also available at CDC: RSV Vaccine Information Statement. These should be used immediately and copies of older COVID-19 VISs should be tossed.
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an uncommon condition that affects the spinal cord. It can cause sudden weakness in the arms or legs, loss of muscle tone, and loss of reflexes. The condition mainly affects young children. Most children have a mild respiratory illness or fever caused by a viral infection about one to four weeks before developing symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis.
Since national surveillance for AFM began in 2014, outbreaks in the United States have occurred in the fall of 2016 and 2018. Cases tend to occur between August and December, when there is an increase in respiratory viruses, such as enterovirus. Nationally, there have been 736 cases confirmed since 2014, with 17 cases occurring in MN residents.
AFM is a reportable condition in Minnesota. If you suspect AFM in a patient, call MDH at 651-201-5414. For more information visit Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM).
Remember to routinely assess patients for MMR vaccine at every visit. We are still seeing gaps in MMR vaccine rates, especially among two-year-olds. Health care providers are one of the most trusted sources for vaccine information. You can play an important role in encouraging parents to vaccinate their children. Take time to talk to concerned parents to understand their concerns, answer their questions, and encourage MMR vaccination, even if it takes more than one office visit. Many parents need reassurance that the vaccine is safe and will protect their child. Be sure to provide information about side effects and what they can do to manage them by sharing the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) in the language they prefer.
To support these conversations, Minnesota Health Care Programs providers can now bill Medical Assistance for stand-alone vaccination counseling visits, which can include MMR. To learn more, visit Child and Teen Checkups: Vaccine Counseling. MDH’s MIIC team can also support immunization text message-based reminders and content in multiple languages. Please email health.miictexting@state.mn.us for more information on this program.
We hear from parents and caregivers they are scared to bring their child back for immunizations because they believe that vaccines cause illness. Most vaccines have some common minor side effects, but often parents and caregivers aren’t prepared for them. This can lead to avoidance of future vaccination and warning others against receiving them.
Among infants and young children, fever, and a swollen injection site can be common after vaccination. It is important to let the parent or caregiver know that this is normal and provide instructions on how to manage the fever and reduce the pain. All Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) include what side effects can be expected. Use this as part of your post-vaccination care instructions and be sure the parent knows whom to call with concerns.
For current VISs visit CDC Vaccine Information Statement: Current VISs.
VaxRef is an application for people who need their immunization records translated from French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or Ukrainian to English. It can also serve health care professionals and community organizations that need help with translating immunization records. A valid email address is needed for receiving the translated record.
You can access VaxRef directly or through CareRef. At the top of the VaxRef form, select the language of the original immunization record and complete the entire form.
 A complete vaccination list will be generated in English and sent to the email address provided on the form. Patients should be advised to always give the original immunization records with the translated materials to their health care professional.
VaxRef was created by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota IT Services.
Sites enrolled in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program must renew their enrollment every year by completing required reports and trainings by Nov. 30. For more detailed information visit MnVFC Required Reports and Trainings. Contact us at health.mnvfc@state.mn.us if you have questions.
Please join us on Nov. 7 for the remaining session of the four-part MIIC webinar series. Registration is not required. Previous sessions have been recorded and posted on MIIC User Guidance and Training Resources.
Webinar 4 (Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to noon) participants will learn more about immunization coverage reports and client follow-up for obtaining information about clients’ overdue/recommended for immunizations. Use this link to join the Teams live event.
Come with questions or submit your questions in advance to the MIIC helpdesk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us.
Continuing Education Units will be available to providers who participate in MIIC webinar sessions, either the live events or the recordings. To receive credit, participants will fill out a brief evaluation.
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