|
|
Welcome to the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter! Here you'll find the latest news and information on COVID-19 vaccine related topics.
|
|
Q: CAN I STOP TAKING SAFETY MEASURES AFTER GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE?
A: As we continue through respiratory illness season and people begin to travel and gather for the holidays, vaccinations are paramount in protecting against severe illness, hospitalization and death. After getting vaccinated for COVID-19, you can more safely return to doing activities that you might not have been able to do at the height of the pandemic. However, if you're in an area with a high number of people hospitalized with COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a well-fitted mask indoors in public, whether or not you're vaccinated.
The CDC also recommends that you wear a mask on planes, buses, trains and other public transportation, as well as in places such as airports and train/bus stations. If you are experiencing COVID-19 (or flu/RSV) symptoms, stay home, get tested and seek treatment as needed.
Those with a weakened immune system or at higher risk of serious illness may need to wear a mask in additional circumstances. Check with your health care provider to see if you should wear a mask at other times.
If you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine and you've had close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, get tested at least five days after the contact occurred.
|
|
COVID-19 VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS AMONG INFANTS AND CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS-4 YEARS
While COVID-19 infection in young children is often mild or asymptomatic, some children are at risk for severe disease. The original monovalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were originally recommended for infants and children aged 6 months–4 years in June 2022. Since then, continuous research has been done on the COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness in this population.
In a recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers found that vaccination with 2 or more doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was effective at reducing COVID-19-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in children ages 6 months to 4 years. These findings support existing recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination of young children to reduce COVID-19–associated emergency department visits and hospitalization.
Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective way to continue protection. The chart below shows how many doses a child needs to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine:
|
|
IS YOUR COMMUNITY READY FOR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS?
The holiday season is the perfect time to get messaging out to your communities about the important role vaccines play in holiday gatherings. Remind your community that vaccines help to protect individuals and families from respiratory illnesses as they begin to travel and gather for the holidays. Try out this messaging from DOH's Vax in a Minute:
Are you ready for winter holiday visits with loved ones? Get protected ahead of time by getting vaccinated now to help prevent respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza in your community.
Feeling sick isn’t fun, especially during the holidays when most people hope to enjoy a festive time with those they love.
Take steps so you don’t give or get the unwelcomed gift of a holiday respiratory virus. Vaccination helps protect those good times for yourself and all of those around you.
Hospitalization rates are starting to rise. Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 now for the best protection during the holiday season.
Vaccinate at least 2 weeks before holiday visits to give your immune system time to build protection and lower the risk of severe illness.
|
|
12 NEW VIS TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE ON IMMUNIZE.ORG
Immunize.org recently added 12 more translations to its repository of Vaccine Information Statements (VISs): COVID-19 and RSV VISs and RSV Preventative Antibody Immunization Information Statements (IIS) are now available.
The COVID-19 VIS and the RSV preventive antibody IIS are new translations. The RSV VIS was first issued July 24, 2023, and updated October 19, 2023 to reflect new pregnancy indications. Be sure to check the version date of your office copies of the RSV vaccine translations. Discard translations of the previous RSV VIS version now that a translation of the current version is available.
You can find these documents and more at the following link:
VIS Translations | Immunize.org
|
|
CHILDHOOD COVID-19 VACCINE
With the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccine and the integration of this vaccine into the Childhood Vaccine Program, please remember that redistribution or depot-ing of any public vaccine is not allowed in the Childhood Vaccine Program. Each clinic should place their own orders for their clinic and not rely on obtaining vaccine from another clinic. Please ensure that your clinic is ordering COVID-19 vaccine and offers this product to your patients to avoid missed opportunities at your clinic.
Thank you for all your effort in immunizing Washington's children!
|
|
HOLIDAY SHIPPING
As we approach the holidays, please be mindful of shipping delays, limited or no shipping days, and plan your vaccine orders accordingly. December 6th is the latest date you can submit a vaccine order to receive the delivery before January. You can place an order off your typical schedule if needed. Please ensure your accountability reports are up to date prior to placing orders to ensure expedited processing. It's also a good idea to update your shipping hours in your provider agreement if needed.
You can view the holiday shipping calendar on our website for more information.
|
|
REDCap TEMPERATURE LOG SUBMISSION LAUNCH TODAY
Beginning today, December 1, providers enrolled in the Adult Vaccine Program will be required to submit temperature logs through a portal in REDCap, similar to how temperature logs were submitted for the COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Providers that are dually enrolled in both the Childhood Vaccine Program and Adult Vaccine Program will also be required to submit temperature logs for both programs through the REDCap portal.
Providers only enrolled in the Childhood Vaccine Program will have the option to submit temperature logs through the REDCap portal as well. The primary and back up Vaccine Coordinator at each location will receive an automated email today that will prompt them to upload temperature logs for the prior calendar month of November. The link provided to the Vaccine Coordinator will not change and can be forwarded to other staff in the facility if needed or bookmarked for use each month for temperature log submissions. No login information is required.
Beginning January 1, 2024, this new temperature log submission process will be required for all enrolled providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program and the Adult Vaccine Program. Please review the previously recorded CVP training session on Navigating Temperature Log Submission in REDCap.
You can also view this document: A Step By Step Guide to using the provider portal in REDCap
Office hours are being held where you can drop in to ask questions and learn more about temperature log submission in the Redcap Provider Portal. The next session will be held on Monday, December 6, from 12:00-1:00PM PT. You can join this session through this Zoom link.
Please visit the CVP Training page for meeting details and additional scheduled office hours.
|
|
POWER OF PROVIDERS PEER-TO-PEER WEBINARS
Beyond Burnout & Resilience: Connection and Hope for Health Care Providers
Friday, December 8, 2023 at 12:00PM PT
Kira Mauseth, PhD, continues the Power of Providers Initiative series on behavioral health support strategies for health care providers. In this hour-long webinar, participants will:
- Identify opportunities to enhance professional and personal connections.
- Learn how to increase a sense of realistic opportunity as a function of hope.
- Develop a practice of insight and intentional behavior that is consistent with resilience fundamentals.
This webinar will be recorded, and continuing education is available for medical assistants and nurses.
|
|
Improving Access to Vaccines in Washington: How Pharmacies Can Help
Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 10:00AM PT
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play an integral role in Washington having one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, administering 41% of all COVID-19 vaccines and 64% of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you for contributing to this effort! Unfortunately, with the transition of COVID-19 vaccines to a commercial market, access to vaccinations is harder for some and understanding the programs available can be confusing at times. To help provide clarity, the Washington State Department of Health’s Power of Providers Initiative is sponsoring an upcoming hour-long webinar to share current information about vaccine access programs for pharmacies. The panel of experts will:
- Discuss the key role of pharmacies in providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Washington.
- Describe the need for increased vaccine access in medically underserved areas.
- Explain how pharmacies can obtain reimbursement for vaccines administered to un- and underinsured patients.
- List best practices for patient education to improve vaccine confidence.
This webinar will be recorded and there is no cost to attend. We are pursuing continuing education (CE) credits for pharmacists who attend. We will provide information on how to apply for CEs prior to the event.
|
|
|
FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
|
|
SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER!
If you aren't already signed up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter, please visit the Department of Health's email subscribers page here. Once you enter your email, on the next page expand the Immunization topic, select the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter, and click submit.
|
|
This newsletter summarizes content beginning the week of November 19, 2023 and was sent out on December 1, 2023. |
|
|
|
|
