Network News — February 15, 2024

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! 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships to be held April 9–11 in Philadelphia, PA.

The 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) is the only conference solely dedicated to collaboration and partnership to improve immunization uptake, educate the community, and prevent the spread of disease. Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition is proud to host the event on April 9–11, 2024, in Philadelphia at the Loews Hotel. We strongly urge you to make your room reservations through the NCICP registration process/website as the conference needs to meet a minimum room quota in order to not be charged a penalty. Thank you for your consideration to this request!

NCICP Facebook and X accounts have been created for 2024 NCICP. Please follow and share the NCICP posts.

Visit the NCICP website at www.ncicp.org for all the information you need, including registration, sponsorship opportunities, activities, awards, hotel reservations, and more.

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Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC)

The Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC) is a collaborative statewide partnership dedicated to increasing adult immunizations through education, networking, and sharing innovative and best practices.

MAIC collaborates closely with the Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project, a statewide initiative with the mission to increase vaccine confidence throughout Massachusetts to ensure that all residents are fully protected against serious, vaccine-preventable diseases. MAIC also works with the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) to increase vaccination rates among infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

MAIC will be hosting its 2024 Conference: Confidence & Compassion in a Complex Vaccine World on April 2 in Newton, Massachusetts. The conference is one of the largest adult immunization activities in the Commonwealth. The overall goal of the conference is to educate Massachusetts healthcare professionals on current and best practices for adult immunization. The 2024 conference offers an opportunity to receive the most updated information on routine adult immunization from leading experts in the field, and network with immunization experts and colleagues.

The coalition will be attending the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) in Philadelphia this spring and looks forward to connecting with other coalitions.

Visit the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition website for more information.

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Please take our brief survey about Immunize.org activities

Please help Immunize​.org by completing a short evaluation of our activities, including our work to support the National Network of Immunization Coalitions, including Network News.

Since 1994, Immunize​.org has been a partner of CDC. CDC currently provides Immunize​.org with support for our major activities: publishing IZ Express and “Ask the Experts,” providing Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) and their translations, maintaining our website, supporting state and local immunization coalitions, and creating ready-to-print immunization education materials for healthcare professionals and their patients.

Evaluating the impact of our activities and resources on your work is an important part of our CDC cooperative agreement. To do this, we have an online survey about our activities open until February 20. The survey will skip sections you mark as not relevant to you. Answering all sections may take as little as 5 minutes.  Your answers will provide us with important insights for our planning.

  • Click here to help us with Immunize​.org’s 2024 online survey.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about Immunize​.org and our support for your coalitions’ work.

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Montgomery County Immunization Coalition shares social media images in four languages reminding everyone it’s not too late to get your flu vaccine

Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) has developed social media images with the message “It’s Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine” to make it easier to remind everyone that individuals age six months and older can still get vaccinated.

The images are available in four languages:

Feel free to use and share.

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Immunize Kansas Coalition supports immunizations during Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol in January

The Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) hosted its Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol on January 25. Over 100 coalition members, partners, and community advocates joined together to share with lawmakers the vital role immunizations play in protecting Kansans against vaccine-preventable diseases. The day offered role-playing training sessions, instruction on how to speak effectively with Kansas lawmakers, networking, and educational literature with senators and representatives about the benefits of immunization.

IKC hosted a legislative lunch with an attendance of over 150 persons, allowing lawmakers to engage in conversation and meet their constituents. Following the lunch, IKC held a press conference featuring esteemed speakers with diverse perspectives on how vaccines play a role in protecting those we love.

At the end of the event, Ximena Garcia, MD, the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Vaccine Equity, honored IKC by presenting a Governor’s Proclamation to Geovannie Gone, Executive Director, IKC, for the continuous immunization work IKC puts forth in protecting Kansans from vaccine-preventable diseases.

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#WeThePeopleVax kicks off its 2024 schedule with a President’s Day campaign on February 19

#WeThePeopleVax is a group of immunization coalitions and health organizations across the nation that have joined together to promote vaccine efficacy and safety by raising awareness of the patriotism of vaccinating. #WeThePeopleVax will be running a social media campaign for Presidents Day on February 19. The campaign will share information about how the Founding Fathers supported immunizations.

View the campaign materials.

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Virtual: Indiana Immunization Coalition offers two webinars, “Vaccinating Females Across the Lifespan” on February 21 at 3:00 p.m. (ET) and “Updates from February 2024 ACIP meeting” on March 7 at 3:00 p.m. (ET); CME and CE offered

The Indiana Immunization Coalition will host two webinars this spring:

  • Vaccinating Females Across the Lifespan will be held 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET) on February 21. This webinar will focus on the recommended vaccines for females throughout their lifespan. The speakers will identify significant trends in vaccination rates in recent years and highlight at least three strategies for improving vaccination rates for women and the population as a whole. CE will be offered through CDC.
  • Updates from February 2024 ACIP Meeting will be held 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 7. In this webinar, John Christenson, MD, will provide updates from the February 2024 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). CME, pharmacy CE, and nursing CE will be offered.
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In-person: The Missouri Immunization Coalition hosts the 2024 Missouri Immunization Conference, “Building Immunity in Missouri Communities” on April 25–26 in Columbia; fee to attend

The Missouri Immunization Coalition will host its 2024 Missouri Immunization Conference, Building Immunity in Missouri Communities, April 25–26 in Columbia, Missouri. The conference brings together bright minds to give action-oriented talks on a wide range of subjects related to immunizations. The agenda is designed to foster learning and inspiration, as well as to provoke conversations that matter and lead to actions that will increase vaccination rates for Missourians. Do not miss this opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare in Missouri.

There is a fee to attend.

Register for the conference.

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In-person: California Immunization Coalition hosts “2024 California Immunization Coalition Summit” on June 5–6 in Sacramento; 5% discount on registration offered for Network News readers! CME offered; fee to attend.

The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) will host its 2024 California Immunization Coalition Summit on June 5–6 in Sacramento, California. CIC has been hosting an annual Summit for 15 years, and this year CIC is anticipating over 340 attendees. The annual Summit brings together a wide range of immunization partners from across California and beyond to share ideas, discuss issues, and identify partnerships that will support the mission of improved immunization rates for all Californians. This year’s Summit will feature Todd Wolynn, MD, cofounder, Shots Heard Round the World; Alex McDonald, MD, cofounder, #ThisIsOurShot; Amy Pisani, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Vaccinate Your Family; and others.

CIC would like to offer readers of Network News a 5% discount on registration as a thank you for being an advocate for immunizations. To register with the discount, visit the registration page and click the orange button at the top right labeled, “Get Tickets.” At the top where it says, “promo code,” enter the phrase: IZ_Friends and click the “apply” button.

Tickets are on sale now, and prices will increase on March 29.

View details on the 2024 California Immunization Coalition Summit.

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In-person: Immunize Colorado and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Immunization Branch cohost “Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) Course” on June 5–6 in Denver; CME offered; fee to attend

Immunize Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Immunization Branch will host Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (“The Pink Book”) Course June 5–6 in Denver, Colorado. The course is presented by CDC and will feature the most up-to-date immunization information from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). A separate supplementary update on the state of immunizations in Colorado will be presented by local immunization experts on the afternoon of June 4 and is included in registration.

Register for the course and view course details.

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Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

A fresh, new look for Immunize.org’s VaccineInformation.org website for the general public

Following the redesign of our flagship Immunize.org website last fall, we welcome you to visit our updated educational website for the general public, www.vaccineinformation.org.

This website is suitable for anyone with questions about vaccines and vaccination. The updated site offers straightforward and accurate information including:

  • Basic facts about recommended vaccines and the diseases they prevent
  • Patient-oriented vaccine resources from Immunize.org
  • Links to resources from trusted partner organizations
  • Information available by age groups: infants and children, preteens, teens, and adults
  • Personal testimonies from people affected by vaccine-preventable diseases
  • Videos and historic public service announcements in our video library
  • Links to information to help people find where to get vaccinated

VaccineInformation.org now provides pages with basic information and key links on COVID-19, mpox, RSV, and dengue vaccines.

We encourage you to share www.vaccineinformation.org with your patients or with anyone interested in learning more about vaccines or vaccine-preventable diseases.

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Virtual: National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cohost webinar titled “Maternal Immunization: Opportunities and Challenges” on February 22 at 3:30 p.m. (ET)

The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS, the “Summit”) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) will cohost a 1-hour webinar titled Maternal Immunization: Opportunities and Challenges  at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on February 22. Hear about the importance of maternal immunization, challenges facing clinicians recommending and administering maternal vaccines, and possible solutions.

Register for the webinar.

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Virtual: Unity Consortium holds communications planning meetings for Adolescent Immunization Action Week 2024 in February and March

Unity Consortium (Unity) will host two communications briefings for Adolescent Immunization Action Week 2024 (AIAW24) in February and March. AIAW24 is a national movement to spur action among healthcare providers, parents, and adolescents to ensure adolescents are up to date on recommended immunizations, and takes place April 1–5.

During the communications briefings, Unity will share the latest additions to the AIAW24 Partner Toolkit (password: unity) and details about the AIAW24 national webinar.

Register for the communications briefings for AIAW24:

You are now able to view the AIAW24 Partner Toolkit (password: unity), which includes newsletter inserts, graphics, social media posts, videos, branded hashtag #AIAW24, and more to use with your constituents and members. You can also customize resources to meet your needs.

Consider sponsoring webinars or events and including AIAW24 in your communications plans leading up to and during April 1–5.

Visit Adolescent Immunization Action Week 2024 web page for more details.

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Resources

WHO provides tools for infodemic management

An infodemic refers to too much information, including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments, during a disease outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) offers tools for infodemic management that can aid in emergency response, support pandemic planning and preparedness, and bring insight into health programming.

Some of WHO’s helpful infodemic management tools include:

  • How to Build an Infodemic Insights Report in 6 Steps manual provides a quick overview of the steps required to develop an infodemic insights report that can be used during an emergency response or for routine health programming
  • Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative is an innovative approach to improving disease pandemic preparedness that provides a platform for national, regional, and global stakeholders to collaborate to strengthen preparedness
  • Infodemic Management OpenWHO Course Series provides an overview of the strategies, good practices, methods, and tools that infodemic managers and all interested health workers can use in the field to prevent, prepare for, and respond to this phenomenon

View more of WHO’s new infodemic management tools.

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National Foundation for Infectious Diseases shares resources for flu and RSV vaccines, long COVID, and the importance of vaccination for people with heart disease

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has several new resources and social media graphics that may be helpful in raising awareness about flu and RSV vaccines, long COVID, and the importance of vaccination for people with heart disease.

Resources include:

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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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