October 7, 2021

Network News – October 7, 2021

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Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

IAC’s IZ Coalitions Network posts new calendar of events for immunization coalitions!

IAC’s Immunization Coalitions Network website now offers a calendar of events that includes dates, times, and links to webinars, events, and meetings that may be of interest to coalition members.

We would love to add your coalition’s events to our calendar. Please email info@immunizationcoalitions.org if you have an event you’d like to share (local events included).

IAC’s two archived webinars emphasize vigilance in preventing influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic; please view and share!

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently held two interactive webinars to emphasize vigilance in preventing influenza in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both webinars featured live question and answer sessions which included additional experts from the Immunization Action Coalition joining the speakers to answer questions. Watch the archived webinars:

Please share the webinar links with your colleagues and coalition members so that they can access this important information!

Immunize Kansas Coalition launches “#KansasFightsFlu” collegiate campaign with partners

Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program/Advisory Committee, Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC), universities, and colleges, has developed and launched a collegiate campaign promoting flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The campaign includes a social media toolkit for each of seven universities featuring the schools’ colors. The campaign includes twelve graphics with messaging tailored towards a college audience.

Please visit the #KansasFightsFlu web page to download the images. IKC will share versions that you can modify with your own branding. Help promote the importance of flu and COVID-19 vaccines in your community!

Montgomery County Immunization Coalition creates digital video campaign to dispel common myths about COVID-19 vaccine

Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) launched a digital COVID-19 video campaign to debunk the most common myths about COVID-19. The campaign can be found on YouTube, TikTok, SnapChat, and programmatic videos such as Hulu and Roku. The three ads will run from September through November.

Related Links

MCIC YouTube: COVID-19 Vaccine Digital Video Campaign playlist
IZ Coalitions News: MCIC’s Let’s Get Back to Us bus campaign information

Families Fighting Flu launches “Flu Vaccination Promise” initiative and offers free flu educational materials and toolkits

Families Fighting Flu launched its Flu Vaccination Promise that sends a reminder email to people who have promised to get the flu vaccine. Once they have gotten the vaccine, they can sign the promise wall with a quote about why they decided to get vaccinated. You can fill out a simple form to join the “Flu Vaccination Promise” and receive your reminder email.

Additionally, in an effort to help you educate others about flu, Families Fighting Flu offers educational materials and social media graphics, available as free downloadable files, that can also be ordered as hard copy materials for doctors’ offices, healthcare clinics, schools, and other important places within your community.

Families Fighting Flu also offers four toolkits that contain hard copies of their most popular educational materials and promotional products to help advocates become Flu Champions in the community.

Related Links

Families Fighting Flu website
Families Fighting Flu: Flu Vaccination Promise web page
Families Fighting Flu: Flu Educational Materials web page
Families Fighting Flu: Flu Champion Toolkits web page

Indiana Immunization Coalition hosts three webinars this fall: “Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Court” on October 7, “The Snowball Effect: Behavior Change and the Impact on Vaccination Uptake” on October 26, and “Vaccine Considerations for Pregnant Women and Babies” on November 9; CE available

The Indiana Immunization Coalition will host three webinars this fall:

Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Court will take place from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET) on October 7. This presentation will identify the components of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in the United States, which allows individuals who feel they have been injured by a vaccine to seek compensation.
The Snowball Effect: Behavior Change and the Impact on Vaccination Uptake will take place from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET) on October 26. This webinar will identify two ways in which human behavior can be influenced towards vaccination acceptance.
Vaccine Considerations for Pregnant Women and Babies will take place from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET) on November 9. This webinar will focus on discussions providers can have on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the recommended immunization schedules for pregnant people and their babies.

CME, CNE, and pharmacy continuing education will be offered upon completion of each event.

Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership hosts 26th annual “MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference” on October 28; CE available

Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) will host the 26th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference from 8:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. (ET) on October 28. This full-day virtual pediatric conference will provide up-to-date information on the field of pediatric immunization with an emphasis on current immunization recommendations and general immunization updates. Learning objectives include:

Summarize the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) schedules and recommendations
Cite two current topics related to immunizations in Massachusetts and nationally
Describe current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
Review strategies to identify and catch up children who have fallen behind on their vaccinations

CE available upon completion of the event. There is a fee to attend.

ImmunizeAR hosts “2021 Immunization Summit” on November 5; CE available

Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition (ImmunizeAR) will host its 2021 Immunization Summit from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (CT) on November 5. This educational event is intended for immunization leaders and healthcare providers from around the state and region who have an interest in addressing and improving immunization issues.

View the agenda (PDF).

The registration link for the live stream event will be emailed one week prior to the summit.

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

NFID and CDC host influenza/pneumococcal disease news conference on October 7, 9:30–10:30 a.m. (ET)

National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) and CDC will host the 2021 NFID Influenza/Pneumococcal Disease News Conference from 9:30–10:30 a.m. (ET) on October 7. Leading national experts will present final influenza (flu) vaccine coverage data from the 2020–2021 U.S. influenza season and will discuss the importance of protection against flu and pneumococcal disease amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Results from a new national survey of U.S. adults will also be shared to better understand vaccination attitudes and behaviors. The news conference will be virtual and available via webcast (pre-registration required).

AAP, AIM, and NACCHO offer webinar titled “Partners in Vaccination: A Collaboration between the AAP, AIM, and NACCHO” on October 13

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) will host a panel discussion titled Partners in Vaccination: A Collaboration between the AAP, AIM, and NACCHO from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (CT). The discussion will lead to a shared understanding of the role each plays in routine childhood immunization and pathways to collaboration at the local and/or state levels.

A panelist from each organization will provide a brief overview of their organization, describe the current environment for providing routine childhood immunizations, and share an illustrative example of a successful collaboration among them. Participants will come away with ideas on how to leverage their organization’s role and strengths.

UNLV Health Law Program hosts webinar titled “COVID-19 Vaccines, Masks & Mandates: Exploring the Legal Boundaries of Public Health Protections” on November 4

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), William S. Boyd School of Law will host COVID-19 Vaccines, Masks, and Mandates: Exploring the Legal Boundaries of Public Health Protections from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (PT) on November 4. As virus variations, vaccine hesitancy, and political divergences over personal freedoms fuel a new surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and businesses have adopted or renewed mandates for vaccination, masking, closures, and other measures to stem the rising tide of cases. The presentation will discuss legal supports, limits, and practicalities underlying mandates and other public health preventative measures in an evolving legal and political environment.

Resources

Association of Immunization Managers and National Association of School Nurses release pair of reports on the role of school-located vaccination clinics

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) have released a pair of reports detailing the role school-located vaccination clinics (SLVs) have played during the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunities for strengthening their use as adolescent COVID-19 and flu vaccination ramp up. These reports kick off a series of resources for schools and immunization partners that will help simplify SLV operations during a pandemic. The reports demonstrate that SLVs can support a safe return to school and critical opportunities for flu and catch-up vaccination as children return to in-person learning. Additionally, the reports assert SLV as an important strategy for promoting vaccine access and assuring equity. These reports were completed in tandem and should be reviewed as a complementary pair.

View the reports.

New “Virtual Visiting Immunization Expert Initiative” and childhood immunization flipchart available from American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently announced its Virtual Visiting Immunization Expert Initiative, which will fund virtual meetings with a visiting immunization expert. The focus of the meeting should be increasing HPV and/or pediatric influenza vaccination rates; target audience may be pediatricians, other primary-care physicians, and/or practice staff. The AAP will accept up to 20 applications from AAP chapters, health departments, immunization coalitions, healthcare systems, and organizations with limited access to immunization experts. The brief application form should be submitted by November 15, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Ponce at mponce@aap.org.

Along with the “Virtual Visiting Immunization Expert Initiative,” the AAP Childhood Immunization Support Program offers a Childhood Immunization Flipchart designed to help clinicians in conversations with patients and families. The flipchart focuses on routine vaccinations for children from birth to age six years and contains family-friendly infographics and provider speaking points for each of the 10 recommended vaccines.

The flipchart is mailed with a user guide, which includes suggestions for limiting the spread of germs on the flipchart during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AAP is sending flipcharts to those who request them at no charge, as supplies last. They will do their best to accommodate large orders, but they may be reduced, depending on demand.

Request copies of the flipcharts.

The Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha and the Nebraska Department of Education’s Healthy Schools Program develop “Fruitful 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign”

The Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha and the Nebraska Department of Education’s Healthy Schools Program developed the Fruitful 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign to make it easier for schools to send messages related to the COVID-19 vaccine to teens, staff, and families. With the help of medical experts from the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha, the campaign messages are fact-based and accurate. As public health communicators struggle with messaging aimed at schools and vaccine-hesitant individuals, this campaign is a great resource to explore and implement locally.

The Fruitful COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit is free and schools are encouraged to use the resources to send positive and factual messages to students and families about the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners offers archived monograph “Meningococcal Vaccine: Prevention of Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults” and related podcast “Meningococcal Vaccine: Prevention in Adolescents and Young Adults”

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) offers an archived monograph titled Meningococcal Vaccine: Prevention of Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults. This monograph reviews the clinical presentation of meningococcal disease and the complications post-illness. Additionally, it covers the various Meningococcal B vaccines available and the indications for adolescent and young adults and strategies to overcome disparities in vaccination rates. Learning objectives include:

Summarize the need for life-span vaccination across different age groups
Outline evidence that supports lifespan vaccination for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including the benefits of receiving meningococcal vaccinations
Identify meningococcal vaccine recommendations for children, adolescents, and young adults
Integrate strategies for shared clinical decision-making for adolescents and adults
Apply strategies for educating, encouraging, and monitoring patients to increase vaccine adherence

CE is available upon completion and will be available until July 31, 2022.

AANP also released a related entry in its NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner podcast series: Meningococcal Vaccine: Prevention in Adolescents and Young Adults. In this episode nurse practitioners Audrey Stevenson and Mary Koslap-Petraco speak with two members of the Meningitis B Action Project about how this disease has impacted their lives and steps we can take to protect our young adults.

Shot of Prevention releases two new video Q&A’s: “COVID Vaccine Boosters: What You Need to Know” and “Flu 2021 Forecast: Do I Still Need a Flu Vaccine This Year Even If Last Season Was Mild?”

Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) hosts a blog, Shot of Prevention, where people come to discuss news and views on vaccines. Check out the most recent blog posts on Shot of Prevention:

Subscribe to Shot of Prevention to get the latest blog posts delivered to your inbox.

Coalitions in the News

These recent articles feature coalition activities and other stories of interest to coalitions

KFF: KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: Vaccination Trends among Children and COVID-19 in Schools (9/30/21)
CBS: YouTube Tackles Misinformation—Will Take Down Videos Linking Vaccines to Cancer, Autism (9/30/21)
UGA Today: High-Risk Individuals Favor Doctor’s Offices for Vaccines (9/30/21)
The Times Herald: Greater Norristown NAACP to Co-host Vaccine Clinic (9/29/21)
New York Times: A Large Share of Hispanic Adults in the U.S. Got Vaccinated over the Summer, a Survey Shows (9/29/21)
U.S. News: The States with the Best COVID-19 Vaccination Rates (9/29/21)
LocalSYR: COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemptions: Where Do Different Religions Stand on COVID-19 Vaccinations? (9/21/21)
WOSU Public Media: Drop In Childhood Immunizations Worries Pediatricians (9/16/21)
The Herald Republican: Bridging the Gap: Kids’ Vaccines Plummet during Pandemic (9/16/21)

Announcements

Stay up to date by subscribing to IAC Express, encourage your coalition’s members to subscribe to IAC’s IZ Coalitions Network News, and please make sure your coalition’s information is up to date on immunizationcoalitions.org, the website of the National Network of Immunization Coalitions

Be sure you’re subscribed to IAC Express!
IAC Express is the free weekly e-newsletter produced by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). 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. It also provides updates on online and in-person educational opportunities, many offering free continuing education credit. To subscribe, simply provide your name and email address at www.immunize.org/subscribe. We will never share your contact information.

Urge your coalition members to sign up for IZ Coalitions Network News!
IZ Coalitions Network News is a monthly e-newsletter for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions that 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. To subscribe, 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.

Make sure your coalition is listed and your information is up to date on immunizationcoalitions.org
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.

Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
Editor-in-Chief

Litjen (L.J) Tan, MS, PhD
Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer

Lisa Jacques-Carroll, MA
Coalitions Network Project Manager

Taryn Chapman, MS
Contributing Editor

Marian Deegan, JD
Contributing Editor

Julie R. Murphy, MA
Senior Administrator for Grants and Leadership

Robin VanOss
Technical Reviewer

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services. The Coalition also facilitates communication about the safety, efficacy, and use of vaccines within the broad immunization community of patients, parents, health care organizations, and government health agencies. Click here for more information on IAC.