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Welcome to the COVID-19 and other Respiratory Illness Vaccines: A Partner Newsletter! Here you'll find the latest news and information on respiratory illness vaccine related topics.
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CELEBRATING LGBTQ+ HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, along with over 600 partner organizations, has been celebrating LGBTQ Health Awareness all week long with the theme “VITAL VIBRANT VOICES”.
This year’s theme emphasizes the VITAL role of VIBRANT and diverse VOICES in raising awareness about the health challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community. Through a series of educational and advocacy efforts, the Coalition and their partners have worked to uplift the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals, health care professionals, and advocates to foster informed dialogue and drive meaningful engagement in LGBTQ+ health care.
During National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, hundreds of organizations across the country have joined with the Coalition in conversations, using their VITAL VIBRANT VOICES to advocate for improved health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community.
Founded in 2000, the Coalition represents LGBTQ+ individuals, health care/service providers, researchers, and advocates. The Coalition created the National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week 22 years ago to raise awareness about timely and relevant issues impacting LGBTQ+ health care.
Visit the National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week website for resources from the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health to help you lend your voice to the cause through awareness, education, and advocacy.
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Q: ARE FLU VACCINES CHANGING FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON?
A: Yes. Earlier this month the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee met to discuss the selection of influenza variants to be included in next season's vaccines. There was data presented supporting a trivalent vaccine versus the current quadrivalent vaccines being administered.
All 2024-2025 flu vaccines in the United States will be trivalent (three-component) vaccines. Trivalent U.S. flu vaccines will include vaccine viruses or viral proteins from one influenza A(H1N1) virus, one influenza A(H3N2) virus, and one influenza B/Victoria lineage virus. They will not include an influenza B/Yamagata lineage vaccine virus or viral protein component. Learn more.
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2023-2024 SEASONAL FLU VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates for 2023-2024 flu vaccines in the United States. One VE Network showed:
- Vaccinated children (6 months-17 years) were 60% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 52% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization.
- Vaccinated adults (18-64 years) were 52% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 40% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization.
- Vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 41% less likely to have a flu-related medical visit and 42% less likely to have a flu-related hospitalization.
CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older who has not yet received a flu vaccine this season get vaccinated now.
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STANDING ORDERS AVAILABLE FOR NEW CDC COVID-19 VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS
Last month the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to make an update to the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. The ACIP voting members emphasized the importance of a first dose of any current COVID-19 vaccine to anyone who has not already received one. Furthermore, they voted on the recommendation for people 65 and older who have already received a dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine to receive an additional dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine.
Last week the CDC posted updated standing orders to reflect these new recommendations which can be found at the following link: 5 Years of Age and Older • Updated (2023–2024 Formula) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine • Standing Orders for Administering Vaccine
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DOH CONTINUES UPDATES FOR COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES
Following the recent CDC recommendation that adults ages 65 years and older receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose, DOH has updated a number of COVID-19 vaccines webpages and materials. Below are the most recently updated items. Please always ensure you are using the most recent resources and discard any materials with out-of-date information.
Resources:
Public Webpages:
Provider Webpages:
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V-SAFE AVAILABLE FOR RSV AND COVID-19
V-safe is a surveillance tool which helps provide information on the vaccination experience of patients. Patients can use any device to sign up and share their experience. Once they are registered, they will get periodic text messages with quick survey questions on how they are feeling, etc. V-safe is currently open to patients that have received COVID-19 vaccines or RSV vaccines.
The CDC is asking for help to encourage patients to share their experiences. You can find more information about V-safe at the follow link: V-safe | CDC
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Td VACCINE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 7
Based on the recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting in February 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends the off-label use of Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine in children under 7 years of age for whom the pertussis component is contraindicated. Health care providers can start giving Td vaccine for these children instead of the DT vaccine.
Background:
- A primary series of 5 DTaP vaccines are recommended for children under 7 years.
- For children under 7 years who developed a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, DT was recommended. The sole DT vaccine manufacturer in the US discontinued DT production and the last lot expired in April 2023.
- The only contraindication specific to the pertussis component in DTaP is encephalopathy within 7 days of vaccination, not related to another cause.
- For children who develop a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, providers may give Td for all recommended remaining doses instead of DTaP.
References:
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NIRSEVIMAB ADMINISTRATION ENDING MARCH 31
While the onset and duration of RSV season may vary throughout the United States, nirsevimab is typically administered October through the end of March in most of the continental US.
Health care providers should stop administering nirsevimab by March 31, 2024. Nirsevimab will no longer be available for ordering through the Childhood Vaccine Program after March 14, 2024.
Remaining inventory of nirsevimab is viable until its expiration date. Product should continue to be safely stored refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and can be used when administration resumes next season. More information can be found here: Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Immunization with Monoclonal Antibody for Children 19 Months and Younger | CDC
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TRIVALENT INFLUENZA VACCINE FOR 2024-2025 SEASON
Earlier this month the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met to discuss the selection of influenza variants to be included in next season's vaccines. There was data presented supporting a trivalent vaccine versus the current quadrivalent vaccines being administered. The change comes at the discovery that the b/Yamagata influenza strain has been absent in circulation since 2020.
VRBPAC did vote to eliminate the B/Yamagata influenza strain from the upcoming season’s influenza vaccine, making the vaccines a trivalent (H1N1, H1N2, and B/Victoria lineage strains).
You can find more details on the information shared during this meeting at the following link: Use of Trivalent Influenza Vaccines for the 2024-2025 U.S. Influenza Season | FDA
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MCKESSON DISTRIBUTION CENTER UPDATE
Beginning this week, the McKesson Distribution Center will temporarily begin shipping refrigerated coolers using one of two different cold temperature indicator cards. Coolers may contain the familiar FREEZEmarker indicator card or may contain a new indicator card called TransTracker. Both indicator cards include the same temperature indicator that is currently being used. The only difference is the indicator card itself. Providers will not receive both monitors in the same cooler. Please use the same process for checking for any temperature excursions with the new indicator card.
See below for examples of the current cold temperature indicator card and the new TransTracker.
Current cold temperature indicator card:
New TransTracker card:
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UPCOMING PEER-TO-PEER WEBINAR
Friday, March 29, 2024 from 12:00-1:00PM PT
Unmasking Long COVID: Insights and Updates from University of Washington Clinical Research is the next Peer-to-Peer webinar from Power of Providers. In this presentation, Dr. Helen Chu will shed light on the newest insights and research into Long COVID at the University of Washington, provide a broad overview of several ongoing studies and clinical trials done by Dr. Chu’s team, and cover recent findings from their work.
This webinar will be recorded and continuing education credits for nurses (RN, ARNP, LPN) and medical assistants are available.
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration is now open for the 2024 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. Join the National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) online from May 8-10, 2024, as they convene leading experts, researchers, and professionals to explore the latest advancements in vaccine research. Don't miss the opportunity to network, learn, and contribute to the future of vaccine development. Reserve your spot to help shape future breakthroughs in vaccinology.
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VAXEXPO CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPEN
Join this collaborative event May 1, 2024 from 7AM-4PM in Spokane, WA to share innovative ideas and best practices to better protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. VaxExpo is a vaccine- and immunization-centric conference that features highly enlightening and interactive sessions to encourage the exchange of ideas across a wide range of disciplines in the fields of vaccines and immunizations. National, state, and local presenters will be sharing information on topics from general immunization updates to adolescent vaccines, special population vaccines and survivor stories.
For more information about the event, and to register: VaxExpo 2024 Tickets| Eventbrite
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FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
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SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER!
If you aren't already signed up for COVID-19 and other Respiratory Illness Vaccines: A 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 (our original title), and click submit.
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This newsletter summarizes content beginning the week of March 10, 2024 and was sent out on March 22, 2024. |
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