CVP Provider Training Series

Please join us April 18, 2024 for the next session in the CVP Training Series. We will be covering vaccine choice and vaccine ordering and receiving. As a reminder, the CVP Training Series are recorded. Past webinars can be found on the CVP Training webpage. 

Topic: Vaccine Choice, Vaccine Ordering, and Receiving

Date: April 18, 2024
Time: 12 noon
Primary Audience: Providers and Vaccine Coordinators for the Childhood Vaccine Program

Join the Training Session
Webinar ID: 851 4240 2545
Passcode: 673609

VaxExpo 2024

Join this collaborative event 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.

Date: May 1, 2024
Time: 7 am – 4 pm
Location: CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane, WA

For more information and to register: VaxExpo 2024

Spring Vaccine Choice

This is the last week for vaccine choice. The last day to request changes is Friday April 12th.

During this time providers can fill out the Vaccine Choice form to request a change in the brand of vaccine they receive for vaccines with more than one brand available.

Vaccines with only one brand option are included on all order sets.

You only need to submit a form if you are requesting a change. If you are keeping the same vaccines no form is needed.

Submit forms either by e-mail to WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov or by fax to 360-236-3811.

If you have any questions please contact Jacki Stockdale at jacki.stockdale@doh.wa.gov

Provider Agreement Renewal

If you haven't renewed your provider agreement for 2024, now is the time to do so! Agreements in some counties expired March 31st and others will be expiring April 30th. Providers with expired agreements will not be able to place order until they have an approved 2024 agreement in the IIS.

Don't forget to check for returned agreements! If your agreement was returned, check the top for comments from the CVP team. 

There are many resources to help you with the renewal process: 

• Recorded CVP Training Series on Thursday, February 15, 2024
• Provider Agreement Renewal Guide
• Renewal FAQ

Vaccine Shelf Life and Shipping Timeline

While most CVP vaccines shipped have at least a 12-month expiration date, it is possible for products with shorter expiration dates to be shipped to providers. In general, doses will continue to ship out until the following: 

• Vaccine is <90 days from expiration for non-flu products
• Vaccine is <30 days from expiration for flu and COVID-19 products 

If shorter dating presents an issue, we recommend placing smaller, more frequent orders. As a reminder, all providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program are on a monthly ordering schedule. Providers are welcome to place an order at any time if they are in need of additional inventory. 

IIS Single Sign-On (SSO) Coming Soon

A Single Sign-On (SSO) process will soon be implemented to improve accessibility and ease of login to the IIS. IIS users will no longer be required to manually login to the IIS each time they access the system. IIS users will need to establish a Single Sign-On (SSO) link initially between SAW and their IIS user account. Instructions can be found here. Click here for guidance on creating SAW accounts. 

Contact the IIS Help Desk at 1-800-325-5599 or WAIISHelpDesk@doh.wa.gov for assistance with your IIS user account. Click ‘GET HELP’ on the SecureAccess Washington login page for SAW account support.

Plain Talk About Immunizations Booklet Updated to 10th Edition

The Washington State Department of Health is excited to share the Plain Talk About Immunizations booklet in English has been updated to the 10^th edition. This resource was originally created to educate families about immunizations and acts as a resource for health care providers. This version of the booklet makes significant changes and updates from the 2018 version. Updates include:

• Information about COVID-19 and RSV diseases.
• Vaccine information for adults.
• New tips on evaluating information from the internet.
• New resources.
• Extensive plain language edits.
• A modern look.

The Department of Health continues to develop this booklet based on feedback. Moving forward, we plan to add short-form, social justice, and family-friendly content to support the needs of our diverse communities in Washington state.

If you have questions or feedback about the booklet, please email phillip.wiltzius@doh.wa.gov.

New Clinical Report Available for Improving Vaccine Uptake

Last month there was an article published in the Pediatrics explaining how pediatricians should talk with parents and caregivers about vaccines.  It discusses strategies to improve vaccine uptake through open communication and discussion between the pediatrician and the parents. Some approaches may include beginning vaccination discussions during the prenatal interview visit and continuing the conversation throughout every visit up to the appointment for the first immunizations to give the parents an opportunity to have any concerns they may have about vaccines addressed. The full article can be accessed at the following link: Strategies for Improving Vaccine Communication and Uptake | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)

CDC releases alert on increasing cases of invasive serogroup Y meninogococcal disease in the United States

A CDC Health Alert Network Advisory was sent out last month in response to the increasing cases of invasive serogroup Y meningococcal disease cases that have been reported. There have been over 140 cases reported this year, over 60 cases more than what was reported this time last year. Healthcare providers should keep meningococcal disease in mind (especially in patient populations that are at higher risk of disease), be aware that some patients may present without symptoms of typical meningitis, and recommend meningococcal vaccine to patients at risk and/or eligible. You can find the full message at the following link: Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00505 | Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States (cdc.gov)

RSV Recommendations

March 31^st marked the suspension of the recommendation for Nirsevimab administration to infants this respiratory season. The recommendation to initiate Nirsevimab next season is set to start the beginning of October. Adults 60 years and older who are eligible to receive RSV vaccine can still receive a dose based on shared decision making.  You can find more on RSV vaccinations here.  ACIP plans to review current recommendations and discuss possible changes at the next meeting in June.

Influenza-like illness elevated, vaccination remains encouraged

Influenza-like activity remains high in a number of communities throughout the country. In CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, 3.1% of patient visits reported were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat. The national baseline is 2.9%. The CDC Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows that vaccination in children is 2.8 % lower this season compared with the same time last season.  CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination.

For questions about the immunization schedule, the Immunization Information System forecast, or any other immunization clinical questions, please send an email to ImmuneNurses@doh.wa.gov. Check out the Immunization Training web page for more resources and training opportunities.

Vaccine Advertisement

Consider using the Vaccine Advertisement feature in the IIS for vaccines within 90 days of expiration that you will not be able to administer. Advertising can be one strategy, but it shouldn’t be your only strategy as this feature is not utilized by all CVP providers. You will still need to actively contact providers using the provider map to transfer the soon to expire vaccine. Be sure to follow the Transfer Guide and ensure that the receiving facility (where vaccine is being transferred) is no more than a one (1) hour drive away.