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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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Q: WILL THERE BE A NEW FORMULA FOR 2024-2025 COVID-19 VACCINES?
A: It is likely there will be an updated formula of COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season. On May 16, 2024, FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet in an open session to discuss and make recommendations on the selection of COVID-19 strain(s) to be included in the 2024-2025 formula for COVID-19 vaccines.
FDA intends to make background material available to the public no later than 2 business days before the meeting. If FDA is unable to post the background material on its website prior to the meeting, the background material will be made publicly available on FDA’s website at the time of the advisory committee meeting. Background material and the link to the online teleconference and/or video conference meeting will be available at the Advisory Committee calendar.
For provider implications including availability of current COVID-19 vaccine products, please view our Clinical Updates section below.
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FDA AUTHORIZES PEMGARDA FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a monoclonal antibody to help prevent COVID-19 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, ages 12 and older, and weighing at least 88 pounds. In addition to vaccination, Pemgarda may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 and can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
A health care provider gives Pemgarda as a single intravenous infusion over 60 minutes at a doctor’s office or health care facility. If continued protection is needed, additional doses may be given every 3 months.
People who are privately insured or have Medicare part B may receive Pemgarda for free.
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IMMUNIZATION CHAMPION AWARD NOMINATION
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Within Reach Washington, is seeking nominations for the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) Immunization Champion Award.
The Immunization Champion Award recognizes local immunization efforts in Washington state and across the nation. We are looking for nominees which do an exemplary job at promoting or fostering immunizations in their communities.
If you are interested in nominating someone, complete the nomination form on the AIM web page by May 10, 2024. Submissions need a picture of the nominee and a consent waiver including their signature, so make sure to plan ahead. Nominations submitted to AIM for the state of Washington will be sent to the Department of Health, where a workgroup of health professionals will review and select this year’s state champion.
The official Immunization Champion Award winners for each state will be announced in August during National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). DOH will also share nominees on our Immunization Champions webpage.
Immunization Action Coalition Washington Awards
All nominees for the Immunization Champion Award are eligible for this year’s Immunization Action Coalition Washington (IACW) awards. A workgroup of health professionals will select winners for the following awards:
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IACW Advocate Award: This award will be given to an individual who has given their time and been successful in enhancing statewide immunization efforts.
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IACW Collaborator Award: This award will be given to an individual or organization who has impacted their community through collaboration to help promote, educate, and increase immunization levels.
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IACW Respiratory Season Champion: This award will be given to an individual or organization who has given their time and been successful in enhancing statewide immunization efforts to prevent respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza (flu).
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ACUTE CARDIAC EVENTS IN OLDER ADULTS HOSPITALIZED WITH RSV
A new CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA IM) shows that acute cardiac events occur frequently in adults 50 years and older who are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Key findings include:
- Nearly one-quarter experienced an acute cardiac event—most commonly acute heart failure.
- Experiencing an acute cardiac event nearly doubled the risk of severe outcomes like ICU admission and death.
- One in 12 adults with no documented underlying cardiovascular disease experienced an acute cardiac event during their hospitalization for RSV.
Among older adults, RSV can cause up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths each year. Those age 60 or older should talk to a health care provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for them. RSV vaccines help protect older adults from severe RSV illness, particularly those with certain chronic medical conditions, those who are elderly or frail, and those living in nursing homes.
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ACCESS YOUR FAMILY'S IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
DOH has created a new resource to assist Washington families in accessing their immunization information. The resource details various options for obtaining records including information on MyIRMobile.com, how to work with/locate local pharmacies, clinics or schools, requesting a complete immunization record from a health
care provider, and how to request a complete immunization record from DOH.
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INFLUENZA UPDATE FOR WEEK 16 OF 2024
The DOH Influenza Update for week 16 is available at the link below:
Washington State Influenza Update
State Summary
- Influenza-like illness activity was minimal during week 16.
- To date, 112 lab-confirmed influenza deaths have been reported for the 2023-2024 season.
- To date, 81 influenza-like illness outbreaks in long term care facilities have been reported for the 2023-2024 season.
- During week 16, 1.3 percent of visits among Influenza-like Illness Network (ILINet) participants were for influenza-like illness, which was below the baseline of 1.9 percent.
- During week 16, 3.9 percent of specimens tested by WHO (World Health Organization) and NREVSS (National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System) collaborating laboratories in Washington were positive for influenza.
- Influenza A and Influenza B were reported to the ILINet surveillance system during week 16.
You can also view historic influenza reports from past seasons.
It is not too late to receive a flu vaccine, flu activity often continues through May. CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get annual influenza vaccination.
Influenza (Flu) Information for Public Health and Healthcare | Washington State Department of Health
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COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABILITY UPDATE
The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet May 16, 2024 to discuss and make recommendations on the selection of strains to be included in a 2024-2025 formula for COVID-19 vaccines. As manufacturers prepare for a potential change for the 2024-2025 respiratory season, availability of current COVID-19 vaccine products is changing. Specific products will become unavailable for ordering as expiration dates near or inventory is depleted. Product availability is expected as follows:
To manage the shorter vaccine shelf-life, we recommend providers place smaller, more frequent orders.
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MMWR PUBLISHES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDED COVID-19 DOSE FOR 65+ POPULATION
In February, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended an additional dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine for those age 65 and older. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an article in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlighting the points of consideration for this updated guidance. This updated guidance is expected to enhance the immunity of the 65+ population and decrease their risk of severe COVID-19-associated illness. You can find the whole article at the link below.
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EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING COMMUNITIES WEBINAR
Effectively Engaging Communities: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Friday, May 10, 2024 from 12:00-1:00PM PT
The Power of Providers (POP) is launching a new peer-to-peer webinar series for health care providers, focused on effectively engaging communities. The second webinar of the series will be Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy where Dr. Andrasik will explore the factors that fuel vaccine hesitancy and discuss effective strategies to address it, including patient-centered approaches and trusted messenger interventions.
Continuing education credits are free and available for nurses (RN, ARNP, LPN) and medical assistants. Live ASL interpretation will be provided. Upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars can be found on the POP webinar page.
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HEALTH LITERACY CONFERENCE 2024
May 14-16, 2024
Through the virtual Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) conference, you'll explore health literacy best practices from a broad sample of professionals - from providers to researchers to academics. They represent small non-profits, diverse corporations and universities nationwide.
This year's conference comprises a variety of session types (pre-recorded OnDemand and live) to keep you active and engaged. Options include plenary and breakout sessions, workshops, and expert panels. In addition to over 25 live sessions, IHA will also offer 16 pre-recorded sessions in the OnDemand Streaming Theatre.
Up to 33.25 CECs are available for Live lectures, Workshops, Roundtables, and OnDemand (pre-recorded) sessions in the following categories:
- Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES/MCHES)
- California Nurses (CNE)
- Outside of California (CNE)
- Certified in Public Health (CPH)
- Librarians (MLA)
Up to 13 CEs are available for Live Lectures, Workshops, and Plenaries for social workers. These CEs are only available for sessions viewed live during the conference from May 14-16, 2024.
Click here for complete CE information.
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IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS WEBINAR RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE
You can access the webinar recording on this page: School and Child Care Immunization Requirements - March 28, 2024. If you want CE credit you will need to complete the evaluation.
Immunization Checklists
New resources to share with you:
School Module Listserv
There is a new Listserv for School Module Users. If you are using the WAIIS School Module you are encouraged to sign up for the School Module Listserv so you can learn about updates about the School Module. To sign up click on this link: Washington State Department of Health (govdelivery.com).
Letter to Parents of Children 4-6 Years Old
DOH will be mailing letters to parents of children who are 4-6 years old alerting them that, according to the vaccinations in the WA Immunization Information System (WAIIS), their child is missing vaccine doses that are required to attend school in the fall. Letters are expected to be mailed by mid-May. No action is required by school staff.
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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 April 21, 2024 and was sent out on May 3, 2024. |
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