Immunization Coalitions Network News

Network News – October 25, 2016

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IZCoalitions Network webinar “Avoiding Vaccination Errors” and speakers’ slide sets now available online

On October 6, the IZCoalitions Network sponsored a one-hour webinar titled “Avoiding Vaccination Errors,” that featured JoEllen Wolicki, BSN, RN, nurse educator with the Education, Information and Partnership Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; Michael Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon.), DPS (hon.), president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices; and Teresa Anderson, DDS, MPH, consultant, Immunization Action Coalition.

You can now access a recording of the webinar, as well as all three speakers’ slides sets. Please feel free to share this valuable information with practices and clinics that provide immunization services.

You can access a selection of past webinars on the new Immunization Coalitions Network website.

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ACIP votes to recommend 2-dose HPV vaccine series for younger adolescents; related CDC webinar on October 26

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met October 19–20. A selection from the October 19 press release about their vote to recommend 2 doses of HPV vaccine for younger adolescents is reprinted below.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted today to recommend a 2-dose HPV vaccine schedule for young adolescents. ACIP is a panel of experts that advises the CDC on vaccine recommendations in the United States. CDC Director Frieden approved the committee’s recommendations shortly after the vote. ACIP recommendations approved by the CDC Director become agency guidelines on the date published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

CDC and ACIP made this recommendation after a thorough review of studies over several meetings. CDC and ACIP reviewed data from clinical trials showing two doses of HPV vaccine in younger adolescents (aged 9–14 years) produced an immune response similar or higher than the response in young adults (aged 16–26 years) who received three doses.

Generally, preteens receive HPV vaccine at the same time as whooping cough and meningitis vaccines. Two doses of HPV vaccine given at least six months apart at ages 11 and 12 years will provide safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against HPV cancers. Adolescents ages 13–14 are also able to receive HPV vaccination on the new 2-dose schedule.

CDC will provide guidance to parents, healthcare professionals, and insurers on the change in recommendation. On October 7, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved adding a 2-dose schedule for 9-valent HPV vaccine (Gardasil® 9) for adolescents ages 9 through 14 years. CDC encourages clinicians to begin implementing the 2-dose schedule in their practice to protect their preteen patients from HPV cancers.

CDC’s Immunization Services Division is hosting a one-hour webinar about the new HPV vaccine recommendations on October 26 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Dr. Lauri Markowitz of the Division of Viral Diseases will be discussing the HPV vaccine recommendation changes that occurred during the October ACIP meeting.

If you are unable to participate in the NetConference, it will be posted on CDC’s Current Issues in Immunization website after November 1. CE credits will continue to be available for 30 days.

Registration is now open.

Related Links

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Reminder: New Immunization Coalitions Network website launched; please update your coalition’s information if you haven’t already done so!

In May, IAC launched a new website for the Immunization Coalitions Network. The new website at www.immunizationcoalitions.org is intended to be a one-stop shop for learning about immunization coalitions, their locations, missions, activities, newsletters, and how to engage with them. The website promotes the activities of immunization coalitions, offers resources of importance to the network, and provides a searchable online database of local, state, regional, national, and international immunization coalitions. Interested supporters of immunization can find contacts, resources, ideas, and volunteer opportunities.

IAC has attempted to contact the approximately 200 coalitions listed on the former immunization coalitions website, and has received updated information from 111 immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations; view their pages here. If you received an email requesting updated information and haven’t responded, please do so as soon as convenient so we can update your page and make it live. If your coalition is not listed, please email Teresa Anderson so we can include your coalition on the new website. Also, if you know of a coalition in your state or territory that is not listed, please encourage the leaders to contact Teresa as well.

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Find state immunization conferences and other educational opportunities on IAC’s Calendar of Events

Just a reminder that IAC maintains a Calendar of Events on its website for healthcare professionals: www.immunize.org. This is an easy way to find out about upcoming conferences and workshops in your area, or online webinars and other electronic continuing educational opportunities. The calendar also includes special weeks of observance, such as the upcoming National Influenza Vaccination Week.

The following states have conferences coming up in the next few months:

  • Idaho, November 2–4
  • Ohio, November 16
  • Louisiana, December 1–2
  • Hawaii, January 10–11, 2017
  • Florida, February 2–4, 2017

For more information about these conferences, visit IAC’s Calendar of Events.

If you have an immunization-related event that you would like your colleagues to know about via this Calendar of Events, email IAC.

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October issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults are now online

The October 2016 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults are now online.

These issues include important information about the 2016–17 influenza recommendations, including related “Ask the Experts” Q&As from CDC medical officer Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, and nurse educator Donna L. Weaver, RN, MN, both with the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. In addition, it includes many immunization resources that healthcare professionals can use in their practice settings, including IAC’s standing orders templates for administering influenza and pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13 and PPSV23).

Needle Tips

Vaccinate Adults

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