Network News — November 9, 2023

Webinar/Biennial Meeting

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Resources

Coalitions in the News

Announcements

Webinar/Biennial Meeting

Register now! Virtual: National Network of Immunization Coalitions hosts “ACIP Update” webinar on November 15 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions will host a webinar featuring new and recent updates to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET) on November 15. The speaker for the webinar will be Melinda Wharton, MD, MPH, Associate Director for Vaccine Policy, NCIRD, CDC and Executive Secretary for the ACIP. Please invite your coalition members to this important webinar.

Register for the webinar.

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Register now and submit an abstract for the 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships to be held in Philadelphia, PA, in person, April 9–11, 2024

Registration for the 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) is now open! The NCICP is the only conference solely dedicated to collaboration and partnership to improve immunization uptake, educate the community, and prevent the spread of disease. The conference is an engine to improve immunizations and public health issues by sharing successful strategies that strengthen the work our coalitions and partnerships do.

The Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC) is proud to host the event on April 9–11, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA, at the Loews Hotel. Reserve your room at the group block rate, which closes on March 18, 2024, or book a government rate room.

Abstracts can be submitted on three tracks outlined on the NCICP website under the “Program” tab. The deadline for abstract submission is December 1, 2023.

Showcase your organization and commitment to community health by participating as a sponsor of the NCICP. There are a number of ways to support the conference in addition to attending. Visit NCICP’s Sponsorship Opportunities web page to learn more.

Find additional information on the 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships website.

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Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

The redesigned Immunize.org flagship website launches today with new features to better serve users

On November 9, Immunize.org launched a redesigned Immunize.org flagship website. The new site features enhanced navigation while continuing to provide the timely, accurate resources relied upon for decades by public health professionals and the nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and medical assistants who administer vaccinations.

The redesigned Immunize.org website continues to provide:

  • Curated links to the latest clinical resources
  • Vaccination guidance from CDC, FDA, and major professional organizations
  • Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) translations in numerous languages
  • More than 1,000 Ask the Experts answers to clinical questions about vaccines
  • Access to bookmarks—all of their links remain the same

New features of the redesigned Immunize.org website:

  • A homepage navigation guide to introduce visitors to new search options
  • New mobile responsive design: comfortable viewing and navigation from smartphones
  • Enhanced search tools: use built-in filters or enter keywords and phrases to narrow searches
  • Featured resources showcased at a glance on the home page
  • A streamlined subscription process for the weekly email newsletter, IZ Express

The updated site is designed to continue to support longtime users while simplifying access to resources by new visitors and the next generation of immunizers.

Explore the redesigned Immunize.org website and encourage colleagues to visit. Discover how Immunize.org’s redesigned website makes it easier to vaccinate with confidence.

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The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights the Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI)

TAPI is a statewide coalition with a mission to foster community wellness and advocate for public policy and the best immunization practices. Through the efforts of TAPI’s partners from both the public and private sectors, immunization coverage rates in Arizona have improved dramatically, with nearly three in four children fully immunized by age two.

TAPI has been busy offering free training for vaccine administrators. The Training on Immunization Practice Strategies (T.I.P.S) program highlights vaccine basics, storage and handling, vaccine administration and documentation, and best practices. TAPI has held 15 statewide training courses over the summer, with 950 attendees representing 273 organizations.

TAPI honored 122 individuals, organizations, and initiatives at the 27th Annual Best Practices and Brightest Stars Ceremony on April 19, 2023. More than 350 people attended the event at the Mesa Convention Center as part of the 30th Annual Arizona Immunization Conference. This event is held each year to honor the work that the community is doing to increase immunization rates and efforts within Arizona. The Daniel T. Cloud Outstanding Practice Award recognizes practices that have reached 90% completion rates for toddler and teen immunization series.

In October, TAPI’s social media focused on promoting vaccines for respiratory illnesses for Halloween. Every year during October, TAPI hosts a Halloween-themed presentation on Facebook Live. This year’s presentation was called Boo the Flu and Other Viruses Too. The event featured two medical professionals from the community discussing the importance of being vaccinated during the respiratory season. TAPI also offers Boo Boxes (for children and dogs) that are mailed with immunization flyers and fun Halloween toys and activities.

TAPI offers a wide variety of free materials providing vaccine information for all Arizona communities to utilize, including social media toolkits, flyers, postcards, posters, buttons, and stickers. Partners can order materials for free, and TAPI will ship them to their community. Partners are also able to edit the materials to add images, logos, and additional information to best suit their communities.

TAPI partnered with Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) and Back to the Vax to cobrand Vaccine Fear Overturned by Facts materials. These materials are intended to be a factual rebuttal with personal stories to address common vaccine myths. The materials are made for parents, someone with a fear of needles, and clinicians caring for patients. The toolkit includes a booklet, fact sheets, and social media content. All materials are available in both English and Spanish.

Additionally, TAPI has been partnering with Mohave County, a medically unserved community that has high vaccine exemption rates. TAPI works with the county public health department and other local and state partners to increase vaccine accessibility and education in the community. The coalition has been partnering on local events to provide vaccine information and immunizations for children.

State and local leaders from the healthcare community joined in an important conversation about Arizona’s declining childhood immunization rates at the Arizona Vaccine Congress in March and October. Attendees gathered to address common concerns, identify and prioritize key problems, and begin to work on solutions that will provide access to all recommended vaccines.

Finally, TAPI manages a centralized business office that contracts with public and private health plans and submits immunization claims on behalf of the county health departments. The reimbursement collected is pooled to purchase child and adult vaccines. It also funds vaccine equity outreach clinics for insured and uninsured patients.

Learn more about Arizona Partnership for Immunization on their website whyimmunize.org.

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Immunize Kansas Coalition shares vaccine resource aimed at pregnant people, available in English and Spanish

To reach pregnant people and boost vaccination rates, Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) created Protect Your Baby with Vaccines during Pregnancy, a highlight card that illustrates the recommended vaccines during pregnancy. The resource was designed to make vaccine information accessible with easily understandable messaging for community members in any setting. Viewers will learn which vaccines are needed during pregnancy to keep themselves and their babies protected from influenza, whooping cough (pertussis), RSV, and COVID-19. A QR code to the CDC’s Vaccines During and After Pregnancy web page is included offering additional information.

The card is available in both English and Spanish.

Visit IKC’s Key Resources main page for more.

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Immunize Colorado shares blog post in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month titled “Julissa Soto: Transforming Colorado’s Healthcare, One Person at a Time”

Immunize Colorado shared a blog post for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) titled Julissa Soto: Transforming Colorado’s Healthcare, One Person at a Time. The health inequities faced by Latinos are complex; Soto is focused on closing the healthcare gap in the Latino community.

 

Read the full post.

Related Link

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Immunize Nevada celebrates their staff member, C. C. Balderas, as she receives APHA’s Community Health Worker of the Year award and shares vaccine resources

Immunize Nevada is celebrating its staff member, C. C. Balderas, as she receives the APHA Community Health Worker of the Year award!

Additionally, Immunize Nevada shares resources and upcoming events:

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Today! Virtual: Immunize Colorado offers webinar “What’s New with the Flu? + A Discussion and Updates on RSV” on November 9 at 1:00 p.m. (ET).

Immunize Colorado will host a webinar titled What’s New with the Flu? + A Discussion and Updates on RSV at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on November 9. During the webinar, Suchitra Rao, MD, will discuss 2023–24 influenza season data and updates to the flu vaccine. There will also be a discussion on RSV treatments and implications for this respiratory virus season.

Register for the webinar.

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Virtual: Montgomery County Immunization Coalition hosts Ask the Experts event with a focus on influenza vaccines on December 7 at 7:00 p.m. (ET)

The Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) of Pennsylvania is hosting a webinar titled Influenza Vaccines at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on December 7. This is the fourth in MCIC’s Ask the Experts webinar series, bringing the community direct access to healthcare experts who can answer questions about vaccines. The webinar will occur during National Influenza Vaccination Week, which will be December 4–8.

Register for the webinar.

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Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

CDC adapts V-safe smartphone program to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines for people age 60 years and older

Adults age 60 years and older who receive an RSV vaccine can now register for V-safe, a voluntary monitoring system that lets CDC learn how people feel after vaccination. After RSV vaccination, participants may choose to enroll in V-safe. They will then receive brief, confidential surveys via text messages or emails.

Post a sign in your vaccination area encouraging people to enroll. It takes just a few minutes to register using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

In the near future, V-safe will be available to pregnant people who receive maternal RSV vaccination.

Related Links

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Virtual: NFID offers “2023 Clinical Vaccinology Course,” November 15–17. Fee to register; CME and CNE credit offered.

NFID will hold its Clinical Vaccinology Course online November 15–17. This 3-day online course focuses on new developments and issues related to the use of vaccines. Expert faculty provide the latest information on vaccines, including updated recommendations for vaccinations across the lifespan, and innovative and practical strategies for ensuring timely and appropriate vaccination.

View event details.

Register for the online course ($700 fee).

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Virtual: Moderna offers multiple educational sessions in November on reaching high-risk populations with COVID-19 vaccines

Moderna will host several virtual informational sessions for clinical staff titled High-Risk Populations – Most Recent COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations through November 21. These sessions are intended to help increase vaccination among high-risk groups, and they address all COVID-19 vaccines. Topics include:

  • Older adults (65+)
  • Immunocompromised patients
  • Patients with chronic diseases
  • Patients with cardiovascular diseases
  • Patients with respiratory diseases

View dates and times and register for a webinar.

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In-person: Register now for the 2023 AIM Leadership in Action Conference to be held December 5–7 in Houston

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will host its 2023 AIM Leadership in Action Conference on December 5–7, in Houston, TX. AIM’s annual conference is an opportunity for immunization program leaders to connect with peers, develop leadership skills, and celebrate accomplishments over the last year.

Rates and dates are as follows:

  • Early Bird Registration: $700/person through November 12
  • Regular Registration: $750/person, November 13–December 1
  • On-site Registration: $850/person, December 2–7

The conference will be held at the Westin Galleria Houston. Book a hotel room.

Some highlights include:

  • Pre-conference welcome happy hour
  • Keynotes from national immunization leaders and leadership plenaries
  • Presentations from CDC REACH Recipients on Building Vaccine Equity and Confidence
  • A special presentation of Shot in the Arm documentary with Scott Hamilton Kennedy

The keynote speaker will be Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine.

Explore conference details and register for the conference at the 2023 AIM Leadership in Action Conference main page.

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Virtual: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia hosts Current Issues in Vaccines webinar titled “Making the Broadest, Longest-Lasting COVID-19 Vaccine” on December 6 at 12:00 p.m. (ET); CE credit offered

The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will present a 1-hour webinar titled Making the Broadest, Longest-Lasting Covid-19 Vaccine beginning at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on December 6. Part of its Current Issues in Vaccines series, the webinar will feature Paul Offit, MD, director of the VEC.

Free continuing education credits (CME, CEU, and CPE) will be available for both the live and archived events.

Register for the webinar.

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Resources

Immunize.org launches 6 short videos in its Improving the Vaccination Experience Video Series

With special support from CDC, Immunize.org recently launched a series of short form videos to introduce you to different ways to improve the vaccination experience for infants, children, teens, and adults. Each video is closed captioned and runs 4 minutes or less. Three are for a general audience, and three are specifically intended for healthcare professionals.

These videos introduce basic principles and orient you to related print-ready resources from Immunize.org for the healthcare team or families. As with all Immunize.org resources, these videos and associated clinical resources are free to download, link, copy, and share.

You can find the entire playlist now on the Immunize.org YouTube channel. Consider sharing relevant links with the patients you serve on your website or social media channel, or using them in ongoing staff training during clinic huddles or presentations.

The video topics include:

Related Links

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CDC posts adorable "Wild to Mild" social media images to promote influenza vaccination

CDC’s Wild to Mild social media images are a lighthearted way to promote influenza vaccination. Encourage your patients, friends, loved ones, and followers on social media to get themselves and their families an annual influenza vaccine with the resources below. CDC’s toolkit will be updated soon to include customizable graphic frames you can add to your photos, sample social media graphics, and printable materials.

Download one of the social media graphics below and share on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

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Hepatitis B Foundation shares guidance on the clinical implementation of adult universal hepatitis B vaccination and screening

The Hepatitis B Foundation has created a 17-page document intended to aid clinicians in implementing the new adult hepatitis B recommendations. It is titled Guidance on the Clinical Implementation of Adult Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination and Screening. The document contains a summary of the updated recommendations, strategies for implementation in different settings, downloadable resources and handouts for providers, and connections to helpful patient and clinical resources.

View and download a copy of the document.

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Coalitions in the News

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Announcements

Announcements from the National Network of Immunization Coalitions

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions reminds you of the important ways every coalition can plug into the power of our network:

  • Bookmark National Network of Immunization Coalitions’ Calendar of Events on its website, immunizationcoalitions.org, to learn about upcoming national, regional, state, and local conferences; workshops; and virtual educational opportunities
  • Subscribe to IZ Express, the free weekly e-newsletter produced by Immunize.org, for immunization-related news, new and updated recommendations, educational materials, and educational opportunities
  • Urge your coalition members to sign up for IZ Coalitions Network News, the monthly e-newsletter for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions that features news of interest to immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations. To subscribe, send a request to info@immunizationcoalitions.org asking to be included.
  • Be sure that your coalition is listed and information is up to date on the National Network of Immunization Coalitions website. To add your coalition or make updates, please email info@immunizationcoalitions.org.
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