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December 21, 2023

In This Edition

• Prevent cervical cancer with HPV vaccination
• HPV immunization improvement project to launch Feb. 6
• Participate in mycoplasma pneumoniae monitoring
• Provider recommendation to improve respiratory immunization uptake
• Abrysvo RSV vaccine for pregnant teens and RSV vaccine reminders
• MDH COVID postcard for kids
• Stay updated on VPD trends and tools
• Change to MIIC help and training services

Prevent cervical cancer with HPV vaccination

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to promote Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for pre-teens, 9 to 12 years of age, and routine cervical cancer screening for adults. For more information about cervical cancer screening, visit About Sage Screening Programs.

HPV infection can cause six types of cancer, including most cervical cancers. HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90% of these cancers. Recent data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shows that Black, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian Minnesotans are more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than other races, and Asian Minnesotans are more than two-and-a-half times more likely to die from cervical cancer. As of July, less than 60% of 13-year-olds in Minnesota have started the HPV vaccine series and less than 30% have completed it. For more information on adolescent vaccination coverage data and gaps visit Adolescent Immunizations. 

To participate in promoting HPV vaccination at the recommended ages, providers can: 

• Provide a strong recommendation for HPV vaccination.
• Discuss and offer HPV vaccine starting at 9 years old.
• Improve completion rate of the HPV vaccine series by age 13 years.
• Share HPV cancer prevention messages with families.
• Share MDH social media posts.

For more information on strategies for improving HPV vaccination rates in your clinic, visit For Health Care Providers Serving Adolescents.

HPV immunization improvement project to launch Feb. 6

On Feb. 6, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m., Dr. Robert Jacobson, pediatrician from Mayo Clinic and HPV vaccine champion, and Sudha Setty, MDH Immunization Quality Improvement (IQIP) Coordinator, will present on new strategies for improving HPV vaccine uptake and series completion. Clinics that participate will receive resources from MDH and the American Cancer Society on best strategies for improvement, how to use available interactive data tools on Minnesota HPV cancer data and vaccination data, and technical assistance on MIIC quality improvement tools.

Registration for the webinar will open soon. For more information or to participate in this project, email health.IQIP.mailbox@state.mn.us or visit IQIP HPV Vaccination Improvement Project.   

Participate in mycoplasma pneumoniae monitoring

MDH is looking to expand monitoring of mycoplasma pneumoniae to various age groups in outpatient clinic settings. Respiratory illness associated with m. pneumoniae or walking pneumonia has been reported both internationally and in the U.S. in recent weeks. Currently, MDH’s Minnesota Influenza Incidence Surveillance Program (MIISP) helps detect m. pneumoniae though it is not a reportable condition in Minnesota. MIISP sites primarily service adults between 18 and 24 years old. MIISP partner sites send weekly specimen submissions from patients with respiratory illness to the MDH Public Health Lab for testing. These tests can detect over 20 respiratory pathogens, including m. pneumoniae, and help inform which respiratory pathogens may be responsible for influenza-like illness across Minnesota. Find up-to-date data on m. pneumoniae in the Weekly Influenza and Respiratory Activity: Statistics. If your site is interested in participating in m. pneumoniae monitoring, please contact Kelsey Seiler at kelsey.seiler@state.mn.us.

Provider recommendation to improve respiratory immunization uptake

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory on Dec. 14 urging health care providers to administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if eligible. Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity could lead to more severe disease and increased health care capacity strain in the coming weeks. Along with immunization, health care providers are encouraged to counsel patients about testing and preventive measures including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home or work, and washing hands. 

For additional information, refer to CDC’s Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease Activity During the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season.

Abrysvo RSV vaccine for pregnant teens and RSV vaccine reminders

Abrysvo, the RSV vaccine product licensed for use in adults and pregnant people, is coming soon to the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program. This means that MnVFC-eligible pregnant teens with Medicaid or who are uninsured must receive this product at a MnVFC provider to avoid unexpected costs. Medicaid plans do not reimburse for the cost of the vaccine for children 18 years old and younger. If you are already a MnVFC provider, look for a MnVFC announcement in the coming weeks about how to order this vaccine through the program. If you are an OB/GYN, family practice provider, pediatrician or pharmacy that serves this population and interested in enrolling in the MnVFC program, reach out to us at health.mnvfc@state.mn.us.

There have been reports of giving the wrong RSV product to the wrong age. Vaccine providers who carry Abrysvo and/or Arexvy, and Beyfortus (the infant RSV monoclonal antibody also known as nirsevimab) should be especially diligent in following vaccine administration safety procedures to prevent errors. Refer to Got Your Shots? News special edition (11/21/23) for tips on minimizing errors and how to report an error if it occurs. 

MDH COVID postcard for kids

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be sending out reminder postcards at the end of January to families of children ages six and seven years old who are overdue or recommended for a dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine product. This reminder may increase calls for immunization visits. If you have any questions, contact the MIIC Help Desk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us.

Stay updated on VPD trends and tools

Did you know that MDH has a vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance email subscription that includes bi-weekly updates on disease trends?  We currently provide information on pertussis and varicella statistics and, starting in 2024, we plan to expand to other diseases. Based on feedback we have received from the public and providers, we hope to use this subscription list to promote VPD resources and translated materials. For updates on VPD trends and tools, subscribe to Minnesota Department of Health Email Updates.

Change to MIIC help and training services

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, all questions and requests for MIIC services that went to MIIC regional coordinators will now go to the MIIC Help Desk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us.

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