National Network of Immunization Coalitions

Webinar/Biennial Meeting

Save the date! IZ Coalitions Network webinar on Voices for Vaccines’ “State Coalition Family Engagement Report” and the “GOTVax” initiative is scheduled for June 17 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)

Save the date! IAC’s IZCoalitions Network will host a webinar on June 17 at 2:00 p.m. (ET) featuring Karen Ernst, MA, program director of Voices for Vaccines, discussing the recent “State Coalition Family Engagement Report”; and Alister Martin, MD, MPP, emergency medical specialist at Harvard Medical School, discussing the GOTVax initiative.

Registration will be available soon.

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Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Celebrating the legacy of Deborah L. Wexler, MD, founder and executive director of the Immunization Action Coalition

IAC’s beloved founder, Deborah L. Wexler, MD, is turning the leadership of IAC over to Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH, as she steps into well-earned retirement at the end of June 2021. We celebrate Deborah’s extraordinary legacy of immunization advocacy in our IAC Express Special Edition article, Never a Dull Moment: A Celebration of the Legacy of Deborah L. Wexler, MD.

You are invited to share your best wishes and recognize Deborah with a note or by making a contribution in her honor. You may send messages to her at admininfo@immunize.org, noting “Retirement” in the subject line. During her retirement, Deborah plans to undertake a special project to preserve and record the history of IAC. Persons wishing to honor Deborah’s career are invited to donate to this special project or to IAC’s general fund to help ensure that the important work of the organization she founded continues long into the future. Both options are available on the Support IAC page.

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Free! IAC’s “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” buttons and stickers are available in English and Spanish. Use them to boost confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

IAC’s “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” buttons and stickers are free and available in English and Spanish. Use them to boost confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

This offer is for public health departments and nonprofit organizations/clinics that are providing vaccination services in communities experiencing health disparities and vaccine hesitancy. Please share this opportunity with your public health and nonprofit immunization partners.

Click this link to access the order form: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2KQZJ6B

Buttons: Wear them in the clinic to demonstrate your support for COVID-19 vaccination and to remind those around you to protect themselves from COVID-19.

• Description: Bright yellow with metal pin that clasps on the back
• Packaging: Bag of 25 buttons
• Dimension: 1.5″ across

Stickers: Give away to COVID-19 vaccine recipients or vaccinated clinic staff!

• Description: Bright yellow stickers on a roll with an easy-peel-off back and perforations between stickers to make them easy to tear off and share
• Packaging: Roll of 200 stickers
• Dimension: 1.5″ across

Please note: Through a separate program supported by CDC, public health departments and CDC’s nonprofit Vaccinate with Confidence campaign partners are able to receive supplies of these buttons and stickers free of charge. For questions about this program, email admininfo@immunize.org or call 651-647-9009.

Related Links

• Shop IAC: COVID-19 Vaccine Buttons and Stickers
• Shop IAC gateway page: All the buttons, stickers, laminated schedules, record cards, and other products offered by IAC

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New Jersey Immunization Network will conduct virtual “2021 Adult Immunization Conference” on June 14–15; CME available

New Jersey Immunization Network will hold its 2021 Adult Immunization Conference from 11:00–2:00 p.m. (ET) on June 14 and June 15. The agenda is as follows:

• June 14: Discussion of and Lessons Learned from the NJ COVID Vaccine Roll-Out (Public Health Focus), Panel: Lessons Learned from Telehealth and How it Relates to Adult Immunization, and Barriers to Vaccine Access in Minority Populations
• June 15: An Update on the COVID-19 Vaccine (Clinical Focus), Vaccines: How to Create a Successful Vaccine Program, and Pregnancy and Vaccinations

Continuing education for healthcare professionals will be offered, including CME/MOC Part 2 credit.

Register for the webinar.

Related Link

• IAC’s Calendar of Events web page

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NILE offers webinar titled “Working with the Successes of HPV Vaccine in a Time of Rising Vaccine Hesitancy” on June 16

On June 16 at 12:00 p.m. (PT), Nevada Immunization Learning Exchange (NILE) will offer a webinar titled Working with the Successes of HPV Vaccine in a Time of Rising Vaccine Hesitancy. This webinar will briefly review human papillomavirus, its transmission, the cancers it causes, the HPV vaccine, and the reasons for the vaccine’s recommendation. The webinar will also show that the vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting, as well as look at current rates of HPV immunization and strategies to increase uptake. An additional focus will be reasons for vaccine hesitancy and how to counter hesitancy. Resources and training materials will be offered that can help improve vaccine confidence. The learning objectives for the webinar include:

• Understanding the CDC/ACIP HPV vaccine recommendations for pre-teens and adolescents
• Describing the current status of HPV-related disease and vaccination efforts
• Learning how to create a culture of immunization in your practice
• Understanding the resources and materials available to help your practices

The webinar offers one free CEU for nurses, Nevada pharmacists, and CHWs, upon completion of the post-webinar survey.

Register for the webinar.

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Missouri Immunization Coalition hosts “Virtual  Conference 2021” on June 21–25; CE available

Missouri Immunization Coalition will host their Virtual Conference 2021 from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (CT) on June 21–25. The conference is virtual and includes educational sessions, dynamic speakers, and an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues virtually. Featured speakers will be Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at FDA, and Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH, medical officer at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at CDC.

This conference offers free CE, CME, and MOC credits upon completion.

Register for the conference.

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

June is National Month of Action: a sprint to vaccinate Americans against COVID-19 by the 4th of July

The Made to Save Coalition and HHS’s We Can Do This campaign are launching a month-long mobilization to protect 70% of adults by Independence Day.

During this National Month of Action, initiatives include:

• Making it easier to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and advancing equity:
  • Free child care for individuals getting vaccinated
  • Free rides to vaccination sites from Uber and Lyft
  • Extended hours at pharmacies across the country in June to offer more flexible appointments, including Friday evenings at Albertsons, CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens
• Mobilizing the country to do more vaccine education and outreach
  • Community canvassing, phone banking, text banking, and vaccination
  • We Can Do This National Vaccination Tour
  • Mayors Challenge to increase vaccination rates in cities across America
  • Shots at the Shop – a new initiative to engage black-owned barbershops and beauty salons
  • Blanketing local TV and radio and social media to get Americans the facts and answer their questions
  • COVID-19 College Challenge
• Incentivizing Vaccination
  • Business incentives for vaccinated Americans

Declare independence from COVID-19! Commit to the National Vaccine Month of Action and add your events to the Mobilize America web page.

Related Links

• White House Fact Sheet: President Biden to Announce National Month of Action to Mobilize an All-of-America Sprint to Get More People Vaccinated by July 4th (6/2/21)
• Becker’s Hospital Review: Biden Lays Out New COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy, Incentives: 9 Things to Know (6/3/21)

American College Health Association recommends COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all on-campus college students this fall

On April 29, the American College Health Association (ACHA) issued a press release announcing that “where state law and available resources allow, ACHA recommends COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all on-campus college and university students for fall semester 2021, in accordance with the IHE’s [Institutes of Higher Education] normal exemption practices, including exemptions for medical contraindications. This recommendation applies to all students who live on campus and/or participate in on-campus classes, studies, research, or activities.”

Related Link

• ACHA’s press release: American College Health Association Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for All On-Campus College Students in Fall 2021 (4/29/21)

Families Against COVID-19 Initiative posts a pro-vaccine video showing perspective of families who lost a loved one to a vaccine-preventable disease

The Families Against COVID-19 Initiative, a joint initiative of The Kimberly Coffey Foundation and The Emily Stillman Foundation, has posted a pro-vaccine video from the perspective of families across the United States who have each lost a loved one to a vaccine-preventable disease. The video highlights the importance of getting your family the COVID-19 vaccine so that you do not lose a loved one to a disease that is now preventable.

The initiative encourages coalitions and advocates to use the video for their own COVID-19 vaccine outreach efforts. Please share this video across your social media platforms!

Related Links

• Families Against COVID-19 Initiative’s Wondering Why You Should Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? YouTube video
• Families Against COVID-19 Initiative website
• The Kimberly Coffey Foundation website
• The Emily Stillman Foundation website

North Dakota State University’s Center for Immunization Research and Education hosts “Transcending COVID-19 Vaccine Barriers: Strategies to Increase Confidence and Acceptance” virtual conference on June 16–17

The North Dakota State University Center for Immunization Research and Education will host Transcending COVID-19 Vaccine Barriers: Strategies to Increase Confidence and Acceptance on June 16–17. This free two-day virtual conference for healthcare providers and public health professionals will examine ways to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

The sponsors intend to apply for continuing education credits.

Register for Transcending COVID-19 Vaccine Barriers: Strategies to Increase Confidence and Acceptance.

NFID offers webinar titled “COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Adolescent Vaccination” on June 30; CME available

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host a webinar titled COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Adolescent Vaccination from 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET) on June 30.

The interactive discussion will focus on strategies for implementing the communications framework outlined in the NFID report, COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Prevention Measures and Vaccine Acceptance, with a focus on returning to in-person education.

NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD will moderate the panel discussion with

• Anita L. Barkin, DrPH, NP-C, Co-Chair, American College Health Association COVID-19 Task Force
• Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH, NFID Director
• Derrol Dawkins, MD, Endowed Chair in Adolescent Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham
• President Linda L. Mendonca, DNP, RN, president of the National Association of School Nurses

There is no fee to participate in this activity, but pre-registration is required. One hour of CME credit will be offered upon completion.

Register for the webinar.

Related Link

• IAC’s Calendar of Events web page

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Resources

Unity Consortium launches “Don’t Wait. Vaccinate.” campaign with resources to help healthcare providers catch up adolescents and young adults on missed immunizations and is recruiting high school students for their 2021–2022 Teen Advisory Council

The disruption of routine healthcare caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 20% decline in adolescent vaccinations. In response, the Unity Consortium has launched the Don’t Wait. Vaccinate. campaign to catch up adolescents and young adults on missed immunizations. The campaign urges parents and adolescents to take three steps: schedule a well visit, stay up to date on vaccines, and visit a healthcare professional.

Campaign resources include:

• Customizable email, letter, and text message templates for healthcare providers
• Infographics
• Posters and flyers
• Social media graphics and sample messages

When sharing images on social media, use the hashtag #DontWaitVaccinate to spread the word.

On May 6, the Unity Consortium hosted a webinar, moderated by Chelsea Clinton, which included IAC’s L.J Tan as a panelist. Watch the archived webinar: The Imperative to Vaccinate Adolescents and Young Adults Now.

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National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants has COVID-19 vaccine resources available in more than 30 languages!

National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) has developed resources to help health departments and community organizations working with immigrant and migrant communities. Resources include:

• Vaccine Central web page offers resources to support vaccine planning, roll-out, knowledge, and confidence among refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. This includes checklists and guides for vaccine rollout as well as promising practices from around the country that you can replicate in your community.
• Get Vaccinated campaign offers people from many different backgrounds the opportunity to connect with the theme of protecting their communities. This campaign includes posters and social media assets that you can either download and repost, or customize with your own logo, URL, and photo. Available in 30+ languages.
• Get the Facts campaign is based on CDC guidance and offers facts about COVID-19 vaccines in a simple and memorable way that counters common misconceptions. These facts address cost, ingredients, side effects, eligibility, and more. In addition to customizable print materials and social media assets, the campaign includes audio and video PSAs to support community members with all levels of literacy. Available in 30+ languages.
• Vaccination Is campaign contains unbranded, ready-to-download assets that support the Latino, Haitian, Iraqi, Congolese, Afghani, Somali, and Bhutanese communities, customized to each community’s unique needs.
• Makespace is a tool for public health professionals and community-based organizations to make customized vaccine messaging that meets the needs of their local communities. With this easy-to-use guide, anyone can learn how to plan, create, and validate their campaign, using the same process that NRC-RIM used for the “Vaccination Is” campaign.
• Community-Led COVID-19 Messaging that Supports Vaccine Confidence webinar on June 10 highlights these resources in more detail, with a particular focus on Makespace and the “Vaccination Is” campaign. Download the flyer and register today.

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CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center publishes May issue of Vaccine Update newsletter

The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) publishes a monthly immunization-focused newsletter titled Vaccine Update. The May issue of Vaccine Update includes the following articles:

• “Reproductive Health and COVID-19 Vaccines” by Barbara J. Kuter, PhD, MPH
• “Vaccination after COVID-19—Data Are Starting to Emerge That Might Support Altering the Recommendations” by Paul A. Offit, MD
• “Be Sure You Know the Anatomical Landmarks for Administering Intramuscular Injections in the Arm” by Deborah L. Wexler, MD

Additional resources, including information booklets for patients, are available in the full newsletter.

Access the sign-up form to subscribe to Vaccine Update.

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Announcements

Be sure you’re subscribed to IAC’s weekly e-newsletter, IAC Express, to stay current on ACIP recommendations, FDA licensures, immunization resources from many organizations, and more

IAC Express, the free weekly e-newsletter produced by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), is emailed to more than 50,000 opt-in subscribers every Wednesday morning, providing articles that succinctly summarize the week’s important immunization developments.

IAC Express keeps you informed about new and updated vaccine recommendations from CDC and new vaccine licensures by the FDA. You’ll read about newly posted Vaccine Information Statements and their translations, and new immunization education materials from IAC, CDC, AAP, and others.

IAC Express also provides updates on online and in-person educational opportunities, many offering free continuing education credit.

To view the most recent issue of IAC Express, visit www.immunize.org/express.

To subscribe, simply provide your name and email address at www.immunize.org/subscribe. We will never share your contact information.

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Urge your coalition’s members to subscribe to this e-newsletter, IAC’s IZ Coalitions Network News!

IZ Coalitions Network News is a monthly e-newsletter for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions and features news of interest to immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations, including advocacy opportunities, legislative efforts, immunization resources, educational offerings, and local, state, and national conference information.

IZ Coalitions Network News is available to coalition members and nonprofit staff, and all people who work with immunization coalitions.

Urge your coalition members and your co-workers to subscribe. All they have to do is send a request to info@immunizationcoalitions.org asking to be included.

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions is a project of the Immunization Action Coalition.

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Please make sure your coalition is listed and your information is up to date on immunizationcoalitions.org, the website of the National Network for Immunization Coalitions

The National Network for Immunization Coalitions website at www.immunizationcoalitions.org is a place to learn about immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations, their locations, missions, activities, newsletters, and how to engage with them. The website promotes the activities of immunization coalitions and nonprofits, offers resources of importance to the network, and provides a searchable online database of local, state, regional, and national immunization coalitions. Interested supporters of immunization can find contacts, resources, ideas, and volunteer opportunities.

There are now 139 immunization coalitions and nonprofits listed on this website; view their pages here. If your coalition is not listed, or your information needs to be updated, please email info@immunizationcoalitions.org.

New coalitions and nonprofits are encouraged to include their information on the National Network for Immunization Coalitions website. Updated information can be added at any time by emailing info@immunizationcoalitions.org.

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