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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 NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK
"Public health is more than just health care. It's the steps we take to make sure our neighborhoods and environment are free from pollution. It's making sure our food and water are safe to eat and drink. It's also the relationships we foster in our communities. We're all interconnected. When we all come together to support public health, all of us — individuals, families, communities and the public health field — can achieve the goals of public health." - NPHW.org
Help promote National Public Health Week in your communities through the weekend with this toolkit from NPHW.org!
It is also Adolescent Immunization Action Week (AIAW)! Help Unity spread the word on social media about the importance of adolescent vaccination during AIAW today!
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Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIRSEVIMAB AND A VACCINE?
A: Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that prevents severe RSV disease. Although both monoclonal antibodies and vaccines provide protection, the way they provide protection is different. Nirsevimab is an antibody that provides direct protection against RSV to the recipient (passive immunization). A vaccine stimulates the recipient’s own immune system to mount an immune response, which includes making antibodies (active immunization).
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IMMUNIZE.ORG LAUNCHES VACCINATION WEBSITE
Immunize.org has launched an updated educational website for the general public with straightforward and accurate information about vaccination, including basic facts about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, and personal testimonies from people affected by vaccine-preventable diseases. Explore vaccine basics, vaccines by age, and a breakdown of all vaccine-preventable diseases too! This site is a great resource for you and your colleagues, as well as something to share with the communities you serve.
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FREE PATIENT MATERIALS WITH POP SHOP
Did you know that the Power of Providers (POP) offers free patient materials to its members? The POP Shop is a self-service portal that allows you or your staff to order free promotional materials to encourage vaccination. Visit the POP Shop page to view all of the materials available now!
If you have any questions, please email powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov.
POP will continue to add new items as they become available.
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PLAIN TALK ABOUT IMMUNIZATIONS BOOKLET UPDATED TO 10TH EDITION
The Washington State Department of Health is excited to share that the Plain Talk About Immunizations booklet in English has been updated to the 10th 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 healtheducation@doh.wa.gov.
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ACIP RSV IMMUNIZATION SEASONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The infographic below reflects the seasonal timing of RSV vaccination for each population. For Full RSV vaccine recommendations, please see: RSV ACIP Vaccine Recommendations.
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POP-UP IMMUNIZATION CLINIC GUIDE
DOH's Planning and Response Team has created a Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic Guide that is now available to the public on the DOH Immunization webpage, in the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) Resources subsection. This guide is intended for LHJs, community organizations, and immunization providers to be used as a general guide of common steps an organizer would need to consider and prepare for when planning and setting up a Pop-Up Vaccination/Immunization Clinic in their community.
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HOLIDAY SHIPPING CALENDAR
There will be no vaccine deliveries from McKesson on the following dates for the upcoming three months in 2024:
May
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Friday, May 24
- Monday, May 27
June
July
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Thursday, July 4
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Friday, July 5
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REMINDERS OF RSV PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
March 31, 2024 marked the suspension of the recommendations for Nirsevimab administration to infants this respiratory season. Recommendations to initiate Nirsevimab next season are expected to start at the beginning of October. Adults 60 years and older who are eligible to receive the RSV vaccine can still receive a dose based on shared decision making with a health care provider. You can find more on RSV vaccinations at the following link:
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Immunizations | CDC
ACIP does plan to review current recommendations and discuss possible changes to these recommendations at their next meeting in June.
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INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS STILL 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, 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 an annual influenza vaccination.
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EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING COMMUNITIES SERIES
Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12:00-1:00PM PT
Effectively Engaging Communities Series: Building Relationships and Establishing Trust
Dr. Michelle Andrasik will present historical and contemporary factors associated with increased mistrust and distrust among priority communities and present effective methods for engaging with communities to identify strategies to create safe, welcoming, and affirming spaces.
The webinar will be recorded and continuing education credits for nurses and medical assistants will be available.
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CARING FOR COMMUNITIES: NURSING CAREERS IN POPULATION HEALTH
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 9:00AM-1:00PM PT
The Washington Center for Nursing (WCN) and the University of Washington School of Nursing are hosting a free Zoom workshop about careers in community and population health nursing.
In this unique workshop, participants will learn from community and population health nurse leaders about what it means to have a career in this rewarding field. CE credits available.
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VACCINOLOGY RESEARCH CONFERENCE COMING IN MAY
Join colleagues from around the globe for engaging discussions on the latest developments in vaccinology at the online 2024 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research on May 8-10, 2024. Trailblazing women in vaccinology and other leading experts will discuss scientific advances in vaccine research as well as the future of vaccinology and science communications.
View the detailed agenda.
As part of the NFID commitment to advancing vaccine progress and fostering inclusivity and collaboration, complimentary registration is available with a discount code, as a unique opportunity to ensure access for all. To request a code, contact vaccine@nfid.org.
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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 24, 2024 and was sent out on April 5, 2024. |
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