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Please join us this Thursday, April 24th, 2025 for our next CVP Training Series. This month we will be showing providers how to verify that vaccines are viable upon delivery and what to do if there is an issue with a vaccine shipment, as well as how to report it and how to replace the order if necessary.
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 12 noon
Primary Audience: Providers and Vaccine Coordinators for the Childhood Vaccine Program
Register for the Training Session
We have been hearing that there is some confusion around which McKesson shipping containers need to be returned and which do not. The EcoFlex Cooler shown on the left are the type that must be returned and they include a return label on the inner flap of the box. The KoolTemp Coolers shown on the right do not need to be returned. They do include return instructions, however, we ask that you disregard the return instructions printed on the KoolTemp Cooler boxes.
Reminders:
- EcoFlex coolers must be returned for reuse. These coolers have a UPS shipping label attached to the inner box flap.
- KoolTemp coolers do not need to be returned to McKesson and can be discarded.
- Refrigerated and frozen TagAlerts do not need to be returned to McKesson and can also be discarded.
Please note that the shelf life of the COVID-19 vaccine is shorter than it was at the start of the season and will continue to decrease as we near the end of the season. To effectively manage this reduction in shelf life, the CDC recommends that providers order smaller quantities of the vaccine—enough for 3 to 4 weeks of usage—and place more frequent orders if necessary.
Individuals may submit a Vaccine Records Update Request to have their name or date of birth corrected or changed in the WA IIS. The individual should also ask their healthcare provider(s) to update this information in their Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. One or more of the following documents are required for this request:
| Marriage Certificate |
Divorce Decree |
| Name Change Court Order |
Birth Certificate |
| Enhanced Driver's License |
Passport |
| Adoption Decree |
Naturalization Paperwork |
Healthcare providers can update demographic records in the WA IIS when a patient presents with a documented legal change to name or gender. The provider needs an IIS user account with permission to edit patient demographics. Include as much up to date patient demographic information as possible to help with patient matching. Changes should also be made to the provider’s EMR, if applicable. When a name change is requested without legal documentation, providers can add an alias to a patient’s demographic record.
Click here for guidance on searching, adding and editing patients in the WA IIS. Contact the WAIISHelpDesk@doh.wa.gov for questions or concerns about patient demographics.
The Public Health Foundation (PHF), in collaboration with the CDC, has released translated vaccine handling videos in Spanish. These educational videos aim to help immunization staff clearly understand complex vaccine handling protocols, thereby reducing the risk of errors in vaccine storage, preparation, transport, and administration. These videos are linked below and are also located on the CVP Storage and Handling webpage.
The Plain Talk About Immunizations manual is now available as a web page in addition to a PDF file (Spanish PDF). The web page is also available in Spanish. The Plain Talk About immunizations was created to address the need for comprehensive, clear and simple information about vaccines and diseases, designed for health care providers and public health professionals. The web page is now easily searchable and can be updated quickly with new updates. More resources for parents and the public will be available in the future, so please keep checking back for updates.
Vaccinators rely on evidence-based training and resources as they deal with burnout, vaccine fatigue, and uncertainty about future federal support. That's why WithinReach, in partnership with the Washington Department of Health, American Indian Health Commission, and local coalitions and partners, is excited to announce "Building Immunity, Strengthening Community" a virtual training series.
REGISTER HERE
This four-day event will bring together health professionals (doctors, nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practitioners) from across Washington and the region for immunization fundamentals, best practices, and strategies to increase vaccine confidence. Learn more about the event including agenda details, scholarships, and sponsorship opportunities on the Immunity Community webpage. Continuing education credits are available for nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists and pharmacy techs.
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Event Details:
· When: June 2 - 5, 2025
· Time: 12 - 2 PM Pacific Time
· Virtual - Zoom Webinar (recordings will be available to registrants following the series)
Registration Information:
· Early Bird Registration $50 (open through April 28)
· Standard Registration: $75 (April 29 - June 2)
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Here are highlights from the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) meeting last week. See agenda and slides
Meningococcal (slides):
ACIP recommends Penmenvy (GSK’s MenABCWY vaccine) may be used when both MenACWY and MenB are indicated at the same visit for:
- Healthy person aged 16-23 (routine schedule) when MenB vaccine recommended based on shared clinical decision-making
- Persons ≥10 years at increased risk for meningococcal disease (e.g. because of persistent complement deficiencies, complement inhibitor use, or functional or anatomic asplenia)
RSV (slides):
ACIP recommends adults 50-59 years of age who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease receive a single dose of RSV vaccine
- CDC will publish Clinical Considerations that describe chronic medical conditions and other risk factors for severe RSV disease for use in this risk-based recommendation.
- At this time, RSV vaccination is recommended as a single dose only. Persons who have already received RSV vaccination is NOT recommended to receive another dose.
- Currently, Arexvy and Abrysvo are licensed for this age group
VIMKUNYA (virus-like particle chikungunya vaccine [CHIK-VLP]) recommendations (slides):
- ≥12 years traveling to a country or territory where there is a chikungunya outbreak.
- Lab workers with potential for exposure to chikungunya virus.
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May be considered for ≥12 years traveling or taking up residence in a country or territory without an outbreak but with elevated risk or travel for an extended period of time e.g., 6 months or more.
FluMist self/caregiver administration (slides)
An overview of the use of FluMist for self or caregiver administration was discussed.
COVID-19 Vaccines (slides)
The workgroup shared an update on the ongoing review of considerations for use of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines. The number of COVID-19 deaths has decreased since 2021-2022, but there continues to be surges in Winter and Summer/Fall. COVID-19 hospitalizations showed similar patterns. COVID-19 vaccination coverage among adults 18 years and older for 2023-2024 season and until March for 2024-2025 is at around 20%. During the June ACIP meeting, the workgroup will be discussing a change from a universal vaccine policy to a risk-based recommendation only, or a combination of risk-based and universal vaccine recommendation for 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines.
Immunize.org’s IZ Expressrecently shared this free documentary. Virulent: The Vaccine War, a documentary exploring vaccine hesitancy, can now be streamed, free of charge, on YouTube. Thanks to the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), it is also available through the PBS website: pbs.org/show/virulent-the-vaccine-war.
Virulent: The Vaccine War examines the consequences of vaccine denial & hesitancy which the World Health Organization calls one of the top 10 threats to global health. It cuts across political, cultural, racial and socio-economic lines. It’s a war anti-vax activists . . . have been fighting for years. And COVID-19 is what they practiced for: A national conversation about vaccine safety & mandates.
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