Network News – December 16, 2015
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The Immunization Action Coalition is providing the following announcements that may be of interest to immunization coalitions.
Table of Contents
- Save the date: IZCoalitions to sponsor January 13 webinar featuring Dr. Paul Offit speaking on alternative vaccination schedules
- Leading professional societies, CDC, and IAC unite to release national call-to-action emphasizing the importance of second dose of MCV4 vaccine
- CDC updates its Vaccine Conversations with Parents website
- Vaccine Education Center updates its fact sheets for parents and patients on HPV and meningococcal vaccines
- National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships scheduled for May 25–27 in Indianapolis
- 2016 California Immunization Coalition Summit to be held April 24–25; abstracts due by January 13
Save the date: IZCoalitions to sponsor January 13 webinar featuring Dr. Paul Offit speaking on alternative vaccination schedules
SAVE THE DATE: The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) invites you to participate in a one-hour webinar for immunization coalition leaders, members, and those who collaborate with coalitions on January 13, at 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. CT). Paul Offit, MD, director, Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will discuss so-called alternative vaccination schedules and how to work with parents who request a delayed schedule for their children.
Access a related article published in Pediatrics, The Problem With Dr Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule, authored by Dr. Offit and Charlotte Moser, also of VEC.
Webinar participants will also have the opportunity to make announcements about their coalition activities.
IAC will circulate the final agenda and registration information the week before the webinar.
Leading professional societies, CDC, and IAC unite to release national call-to-action emphasizing the importance of second dose of MCV4 vaccine
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College Health Association (ACHA), Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) have issued a joint “Dear Colleague” letter, urging health care professionals to strongly recommend and administer the second (booster) dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (MenACWY or MCV4) at age 16.
According to CDC, the meningococcal meningitis booster vaccination rate is an estimated 28.5% for eligible teens, compared to 79.3% for the primary dose. Despite CDC recommendations for a booster dose at age 16, after an initial vaccination at age 11 or 12,fewer than 30% of 17-year-olds have received the second vaccination needed to enhance protection against meningococcal meningitis caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The “Dear Colleague” letter supports a national call-to-action for health care professionals to improve this alarming statistic.
CDC strongly recommends a booster dose at age 16 because protection wanes in most teens within five years after the primary vaccination. By vaccinating fewer than 1 in 3 eligible teens, we are leaving millions of young adults without the protection they need against potentially deadly and crippling meningococcal disease. Meningococcal meningitis has a 10–15% fatality rate and cases have occurred in which an otherwise healthy young person contracts the illness, becomes severely sick, and dies in as few as 24 hours after the first symptoms appear.
The “Dear Colleague” letter includes a statement from Anne Schuchat, MD, principal deputy director of CDC, who notes, “A clinician’s endorsement of immunization has long been recognized as a key factor in improving immunization rates.”
To help health care professionals in their efforts to recommend meningococcal meningitis vaccine and improve immunization rates, IAC has developed several resources that are available on its website at www.immunize.org/meningococcal. In addition, health care professionals can visit www.Give2MCV4.org to download free educational materials and tools, including fact sheets, talking points, an overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, Q&As, and other useful resources.
The joint “Dear Colleague” letter serves as a rallying cry for all health care providers to assure your adolescent patients are adequately protected. Remember—You’re not done if you give just one! Give 2 doses to strengthen protection.
Related Links
“Dear Colleague” letter
- “Dear Colleague” letter supporting improved rates for second dose of MCV4 vaccine
- Press Release announcing publication of “Dear Colleague” letter (November 11, 2015)
Meningococcal resources from Give2MCV4 project
- www.give2mcv4.org website
- MCV4: You’re Not Done If You Give Just One; Give 2 Doses to Strengthen Protection—Fact sheet and call to action
- Recommending MCV4: What to Say and How to Say It
- Vaccinate Adolescents: Think 1–2–3—Overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, including Tdap, MCV4, HPV, and annual influenza vaccines
- Top 10 Ways to Improve Adolescent Immunization Rates
Meningococcal Resources from IAC
- Meningococcal Disease—Collection of resources for teen patients and their parents, including websites, brochures, personal stories, videos, photos, and more
- Meningococcal: Questions and Answers—Information about the Disease and Vaccines
Meningococcal Resources from CDC
- Meningococcal Vaccine for Preteens and Teens—FAQs about meningococcal vaccination (for patients and their parents)
- National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years—United States, 2014—2014 NIS-Teen data
CDC updates its Vaccine Conversations with Parents website
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College Health Association (ACHA), Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) have issued a joint “Dear Colleague” letter, urging health care professionals to strongly recommend and administer the second (booster) dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (MenACWY or MCV4) at age 16.
According to CDC, the meningococcal meningitis booster vaccination rate is an estimated 28.5% for eligible teens, compared to 79.3% for the primary dose. Despite CDC recommendations for a booster dose at age 16, after an initial vaccination at age 11 or 12,fewer than 30% of 17-year-olds have received the second vaccination needed to enhance protection against meningococcal meningitis caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The “Dear Colleague” letter supports a national call-to-action for health care professionals to improve this alarming statistic.
CDC strongly recommends a booster dose at age 16 because protection wanes in most teens within five years after the primary vaccination. By vaccinating fewer than 1 in 3 eligible teens, we are leaving millions of young adults without the protection they need against potentially deadly and crippling meningococcal disease. Meningococcal meningitis has a 10–15% fatality rate and cases have occurred in which an otherwise healthy young person contracts the illness, becomes severely sick, and dies in as few as 24 hours after the first symptoms appear.
The “Dear Colleague” letter includes a statement from Anne Schuchat, MD, principal deputy director of CDC, who notes, “A clinician’s endorsement of immunization has long been recognized as a key factor in improving immunization rates.”
To help health care professionals in their efforts to recommend meningococcal meningitis vaccine and improve immunization rates, IAC has developed several resources that are available on its website at www.immunize.org/meningococcal. In addition, health care professionals can visit www.Give2MCV4.org to download free educational materials and tools, including fact sheets, talking points, an overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, Q&As, and other useful resources.
The joint “Dear Colleague” letter serves as a rallying cry for all health care providers to assure your adolescent patients are adequately protected. Remember—You’re not done if you give just one! Give 2 doses to strengthen protection.
Related Links
“Dear Colleague” letter
- “Dear Colleague” letter supporting improved rates for second dose of MCV4 vaccine
- Press Release announcing publication of “Dear Colleague” letter (November 11, 2015)
Meningococcal resources from Give2MCV4 project
- www.give2mcv4.org website
- MCV4: You’re Not Done If You Give Just One; Give 2 Doses to Strengthen Protection—Fact sheet and call to action
- Recommending MCV4: What to Say and How to Say It
- Vaccinate Adolescents: Think 1–2–3—Overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, including Tdap, MCV4, HPV, and annual influenza vaccines
- Top 10 Ways to Improve Adolescent Immunization Rates
Meningococcal Resources from IAC
- Meningococcal Disease—Collection of resources for teen patients and their parents, including websites, brochures, personal stories, videos, photos, and more
- Meningococcal: Questions and Answers—Information about the Disease and Vaccines
Meningococcal Resources from CDC
- Meningococcal Vaccine for Preteens and Teens—FAQs about meningococcal vaccination (for patients and their parents)
- National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years—United States, 2014—2014 NIS-Teen data
Vaccine Education Center updates its fact sheets for parents and patients on HPV and meningococcal vaccines
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has updated the following two fact sheets for parents and patients:
- HPV: What you should know [also available in Spanish]
- Meningococcus: What you should know [also available in Spanish]
These handouts are part of a series of Q&A sheets about vaccines and vaccine safety.
- Vaccine- and Vaccine Safety-Related Q&A Sheets
- How to Order: Healthcare professionals can order these materials for their practice for a nominal fee
National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships scheduled for May 25–27 in Indianapolis
The 12th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships, Ready. Set. Vaccinate!, will take place in Indianapolis, May 25–27, 2016. This is a great opportunity for coalition leaders to learn from expert speakers and network with members of immunization coalitions from around the nation.
Abstracts are welcome from representatives of all disciplines, including coalition staff and members, community-based providers, healthcare providers, social workers, researchers, government agencies, health communication specialists, and others. Go to the Call for Abstracts page to learn more.
Note: This conference was formerly known as the National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions. The goal of the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships is to improve community health by enhancing the effectiveness of coalitions and partners through training in relevant coalition management and health promotion topics, as well as to provide networking and professional development opportunities.
2016 California Immunization Coalition Summit to be held April 24–25; abstracts due by January 13
The 2016 California Immunization Coalition Summit will be held April 24–25 in Sacramento, CA. The Summit’s theme is “Celebrating Healthier Tomorrows.” The deadline for abstract submissions is January 13.