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Welcome to the Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter! Here you'll find the latest news and information on respiratory illness vaccine related topics.
- Latest News
- Clinical Updates
- Training and Events
- Resources
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We here at the Washington State Department of Health wish everyone a happy, healthy, and vaccinated start to the new year! If you’re considering getting a flu shot later in the flu season (like now) but are worried that it’s too late to get a flu shot—if there’s any flu activity occurring, then it’s not too late at all. You can get both your annual flu and 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. And for those 60 and over, and those who are pregnant, ask your health care provider about the RSV vaccine. Go get vaccinated!
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A: No. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all adults age 65 years and older receive a second dose of the 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their first 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccine dose (minimum interval of 2 months). However, ACIP has not made any standing COVID-19 vaccination recommendations that go beyond the 2024–2025 Formula COVID-19 vaccines.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as of January 3, 2025, the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek health care is at a high level and continues to increase nationally.
- COVID-19 activity is increasing in most areas of the country.
- Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase and is elevated across most of the country.
- RSV activity is very high in many areas of the country, particularly in young children.
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Laminated copies of the 2025 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2025 U.S. adult immunization schedule are available to order now in the Immunize.org shop. The laminated schedules begin shipping this week.
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Flu activity has been very high in Washington. Though flu symptoms can be mild for some, others are at higher risk of hospitalization and even death. Check out these resources below to promote flu vaccination and prevention in your patients and communities:
Looking for more? Check out our flu materials and flu facts pages.”
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The Care-a-Van is a mobile health clinic that works closely with community partners and local health jurisdictions to serve priority populations in Washington. By meeting people where they are, Care-a-Van helps reduce access barriers to vaccination.
Last October, Care-a-Van distributed 1,286 flu vaccines. For comparison, Care-a-Van has distributed a total of 6,495 flu vaccines since the program started in June 2021. The impressive up-tick in Care-a-Van flu vaccinations is in part due to a dedicated effort to increase flu vaccinations among agriculture workers in Washington.
Agricultural workers may be at higher risk of bird flu infection. While there is no vaccine for bird flu, being vaccinated for seasonal flu can reduce the risk of coinfection (having bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time).
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Providers can submit a transfer in the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS) to move Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP) vaccines from one enrolled facility to another. To do so, follow the transfer guidelines below.
Transfer Guidelines:
- Complete a CVP Vaccine Transfer Request in the IIS at least 48 hours before each intended movement of vaccine - vaccine cannot be moved prior to Transfer Request approval from DOH. Emergency transfers (e.g. power outage, storage unit failure) do not require pre-approval from DOH.
- Ensure that receiving facility (where vaccine is being transferred) is no more than a one (1) hour drive away
- Providers must follow CVP vaccine transport guidelines to ensure the cold chain is always maintained during transport
Review the vaccine transfer checklist and FAQs for additional information and guidelines for transferring vaccines.
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Now is a good time to ensure your clinic is prepared for the upcoming Childhood Vaccine Program provider agreement renewal period which occurs between March and April this year. To help your agreement renewal go smoothly, please ensure:
- All thermometer calibrations are up to date.
- Gather your practice profile data for the calendar year 1/1/24-12/31/24.
- Your primary and backup vaccine coordinators have completed the new annual training requirements in 2025. Primary and back-up vaccine coordinators must complete this annual training requirement within the current calendar year, prior to their provider agreement renewal deadline. It is also best practice to have all staff who handle and administer vaccines complete the training as well.
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Did you know that your facility's Vaccine Management Plan must be reviewed and updated annually? It's true! All components of the Vaccine Management Plan must be reviewed and updated annually, as well as upon new employee hire, when key staff change, and whenever there are updates to best practices. The review must be dated and signed on the Annual Review Documentation page by the coordinator responsible for its content. Completed plan should be kept near the vaccine storage units in a readily available location and all staff should have awareness of the plan in the event of an emergency. For questions, email WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov.
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The CDC offers many education and training programs for health care personnel on immunizations. A variety of topics and formats are available including:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Training: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know
- Current Issues in Immunization Webinar (CIIW) Series
- Fostering a Culture of Immunization in Your Practice
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This page includes immunization training announcements and opportunities. These trainings are for health care providers, local public health, immunization staff, and school and child care staff.
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FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
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If you aren't already signed up for Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses 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 Vaccines for Respiratory Illnesses Newsletter, and click submit.
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This newsletter summarizes content beginning the week of December 29th, 2024 and was sent out on January 10, 2025. |
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