|
|
Greetings Healthcare Partners!
Recently, the CDC shared updated immunization guidance to reduce the risk of severe respiratory illness due COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Here is a summary of the updates and resources to support your vaccine conversations with patients.
- On September 10, 2024, a MMWR report announced recommendations for the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccinations for all persons aged ≥6 months. The FDA approved and authorized the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax.
- On August 29, 2024, a MMWR report recommended an annual 2024-25 influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
- The CDC updated guidance on how to protect infants and older adults from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through vaccines for pregnant people and older adults, and a monoclonal antibody product for infants and young children.
Check out these resources to promote vaccinations:
-
Provider Toolkit: Preparing Patients for the Fall and Winter Virus Season | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC – Includes vaccine recommendations, patient interaction tips, clinical guidance, and educational resources.
-
Communicating More Effectively About Vaccines (PHCC) – Informed by focus groups, this resource shares messages that resonate with patients, and why they work, compared with approaches that are less compelling.
-
Developing Safe and Effective Vaccines (PHCC) – Offers downloadable handouts and social media graphics (in English and Spanish) to increase understanding of the vaccine development process.
-
Flu Free Washington Partner Toolkit | Washington State Department of Health – offers materials to promote the flu vaccine, including social media graphics, blog posts, newsletter articles and more.
-
Protect Your Newborn Against Serious Illness (WADOH) – Web page includes information about RSV and printable RSV vaccination flyers for pregnant people in multiple languages.
Order Vaccine Promotional Items by September 25!
The POP Shop offers free COVID-19 vaccine storage and promotional materials for providers to order. The POP Shop will close at the end of September and items will transition to a new online storefront dedicated to immunization resources for providers.
Please submit new POP Shop orders by the end of Wednesday, September 25. We will send links to the new immunizations storefront once the transition is complete.
|
|
|
Learn More About Long COVID
In a June 27, 2024, MMWR report, researchers estimated that approximately 6% of adults in Washington State experienced Long COVID in the fall 2023. Prevalence of Long COVID was substantially higher in counties in the central and eastern areas of the state compared to other regions. The study also estimated higher relative prevalence in people from younger age groups (18 to 49 years old), women, and people identifying as Non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic (of any race).
Specialists from the UW Medicine Long COVID Clinic are offering a variety of learning opportunities to support clinicians in their diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID symptoms. We encourage you to sign up for these training opportunities to learn more:
-
Long COVID Interest Group – September 18, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Dr. Anita Chopra, MD, FACP will be joined by special guest, Dr. Andrew Simon, ND, BCB. They will discuss the role of integrative medicine and managing Long COVID and chronic inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and myalgia. Join via Zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rdu6hqz0qGNUaKvhO9tOSHBB127kJd9DY
-
2024 Long COVID RISE Symposium - October 12, 9:00 am – 5:00 p.m.
Join the UW Medicine Long COVID Clinic, in-person or virtually, for the first Long COVID Recovery, Insights, Support, and Education (RISE) Symposium. Speakers and panels will present information for both patient and provider audiences. Providers and patients are welcome to join either or both sessions. CME credits are offered for clinicians. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Register here.
|
|
POP Peer-to-Peer Webinars
Don’t miss infectious disease expert, Dr. Eric J. Chow’s update on the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season on October 16, from noon-1:00 pm. Dr. Chow will discuss the epidemiology of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 and summarize measures of community burden. He will review important mitigation strategies, vaccine recommendations and respiratory illness guidance as we head into the 2024-2025 respiratory viral season. Register here.
|
|
|
Later in the month, health communication experts Dr. Amy Sheftel and Dr. Erica Austin will lead a two-part workshop on addressing vaccine hesitancy in rural communities. The focus of the workshops will be using motivational interviewing (MI) in time-limited patient interactions about vaccinations, as well as assisting patients in recognizing trustworthy sources of information. The workshops will aim to meet the needs of novice and experienced MI practitioners.
The Power of Providers Webinars page includes upcoming webinars and past recorded webinars. POP webinars offer FREE continuing education credits for a variety of specialties and include ASL interpretation.
|
Pulse Check...
Take a short, 5-minute survey to share your thoughts on POP's current peer-to-peer webinar model and topics you'd like to see in the future! Take the survey.
|
|
As always, thank you for all you do. Have a great week! |
|
|
Power of Providers (POP) Team
Executive Office of Healthcare Innovation and Strategy
Washington State Department of Health
powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov
|
|
|
|
|
