Network News — September 19, 2024

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Editable Resources

Resources

Funding Opportunities

In the News

Announcements

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights Louisiana Families for Vaccines

The Louisiana Families for Vaccines (LFV) is a grassroots network of Louisianans dedicated to advocating for public health and fact-based public policy and promoting immunizations for healthier kids and communities. The coalition conducts traditional 501(c)(3) education and outreach, as well as 501(c)(4) advocacy. LFV is networked with other Families for Vaccines chapters nationwide through the SAFE Communities Coalition.

LFV holds community events and health fairs, especially in North Louisiana, approximately 2–4 times a month. Additionally, it conferences with local groups and organizations, and regularly engages with the media to discuss local vaccination rates and the potential impacts of certain policies or proposed policies for families in Louisiana. The coalition is also active on social media, creating campaigns and educational content.

   

LFV convenes weekly with grassroots and other partners during the legislative session to review bills and legislative strategy. The coalition empowers grassroots advocates during the legislative session by providing regular updates, calls to action, bill analysis, talking points, and one-click methods for contacting lawmakers. Additionally, LFV hosts advocacy trainings and an annual Day of Action for Vaccines at the Louisiana State Capitol. The 2024 Day of Action was supported by 25 national and local partner organizations and was attended by 40 individual advocates from across the state from participants age 1–80 years. In addition, LFV participates in the advocacy days hosted by its partner organizations that focus on children and health equity.

Its further legislation activities include providing testimony for vaccine-related legislation, facilitating meetings between legislators and their constituents, and creating resources to educate legislators about immunizations and the impact of public policy on vaccination rates.

Recently, LFV hosted a documentary screening of Hilleman: A Perilous Quest to Save the World’s Children for medical students in Monroe, Louisiana. Upcoming activities include a presentation at LSU-Shreveport Pediatric Residency Grand Rounds and Mandeville Rotary Club. Additionally, LFV director Crystal Rommen hosts training sessions to share evidence-based approaches to staying safe in situations that can easily get heated. Please contact LFV if you are interested in a live or recorded version of the training.

Finally, a current project of LFV is creating and compiling resources to pre/debunk vaccine misinformation that is being platformed in states around the country during interim committee hearings intended to review the government’s COVID-19 response, which has quickly devolved into vilifying routine childhood vaccines. Louisiana is expecting such a hearing at the end of September.  LFV is happy to share any resources, including their debunking bingo card, with any interested immunization coalitions.

For more information, see the Louisiana Families for Vaccines website and visit the coalition’s social media channels:

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Boost Oregon shares free educational module on HPV vaccination and motivational interviewing for dental providers; CE available

Boost Oregon offers a 1-hour course, Introduction to HPV Vaccination and Motivational Interviewing for Dentists, which is specifically designed for dental providers and explores the connections between head and neck cancers and the growing significance of HPV. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical sites commonly affected by these cancers, the prevalence and impact of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and the critical role of early detection and prevention in improving patient outcomes. The course will also cover the importance of HPV vaccination in cancer prevention and the role of oral health practitioners in educating and advocating for vaccination. Additionally, there will be an overview of the basics of motivational interviewing (MI) as it applies to vaccine hesitancy, focusing on the HPV vaccine.

The course offers CE credit upon completion.

View the course.

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The American Society for Meningitis Prevention shares Spanish meningitis educational materials for students, parents, and healthcare providers

The American Society for Meningitis Prevention (ASMP) just launched a new series of educational materials in Spanish. These resources are designed to help parents, students, and healthcare providers understand the importance of preventing meningococcal meningitis. To download these free educational materials or place an order, visit ASMP’s Educational Resources web page.

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Montgomery County Immunization Coalition partners with Families Fighting Flu to create "#ItCanHappenToAnybody Flu Campaign"

Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Immunization Coalition (MCIC) partnered with Families Fighting Flu (FFF) to create the “#ItCanHappenToAnybody Flu Campaign.” The campaign centers around Montgomery County native Alissa, whose life changed 20 years ago when her four-year-old daughter, Amanda, died suddenly from influenza. Alissa shares her story and how important it is to get your family vaccinated.

Watch Alissa’s story on YouTube.

In addition to the video, MCIC and FFF created a social media toolkit for advocates to promote influenza vaccination.

Include #ItCanHappenToAnybody and tag @mcicpa to amplify your posts.

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Immunize Kansas Coalition shares vaccination resources for respiratory season, adult vaccines, and pregnant people, including various language translations

The Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) offers revised resources following the updated recommendations from CDC for RSV vaccination of adults age 75 years and older and for adults age 60–74 years at higher risk of severe RSV. Resources include:

  • Respiratory Season Brochure: Highlights flu, COVID-19, and RSV. The content has been updated to include the newest RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults. Viewers are given a glimpse of each virus, those most vulnerable, and how vaccines build community immunity. This resource is also available in Spanish.
  • “Adults Need Vaccines, Too!” Highlight Card: Features 10 out of the 14 recommended vaccines for adults. The most recent update to the insert includes the RSV vaccine as an additional vaccine for older adults. The card also directs viewers to the CDC’s Vaccine Assessment Quiz for information on other vaccines they may need. The resource is available in Arabic, Dari, English, Haitian Creole, Pashto, and Spanish. Some languages are being updated to reflect recent changes by CDC.

Additional IKC featured resources include:

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Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Virtual: North Dakota State University hosts webinar titled “Vaccines Under the Microscope: How Can We Know They Are Safe?" on September 19 and 20 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) and archived webinars; CE credit available

North Dakota State University’s Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE) will host a webinar titled Vaccines Under the Microscope: How Can We Know They Are Safe?, 1:00–2:00 p.m. (ET) on September 19 and 20. The webinar will review U.S. vaccine safety surveillance systems and discuss how safety is prioritized during vaccine development and licensing.

Free CE will be provided for this activity.

Register for the webinar.

CIRE now offers free access to recordings of its monthly webinars on its website. Participants who watch the full recording and complete the pre- and post-training quizzes may earn free CE credit for each webinar.

Learn more about CE opportunities.

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Virtual: WHO hosts webinar titled “Inequality in Immunization 2024” on September 24 at 7:00 a.m. (ET)

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a webinar titled Inequality in Immunization 2024 at 7:00 a.m. (ET) on September 24. It will feature video contributions from the authors and editors of the Vaccines 2024 special issue on “Inequality in Immunization.” The special issue emphasizes research and review articles that deepen our understanding of immunization inequalities. The table of contents for the 2024 special issue appears here. The 2023 special issue from that same journal is archived here.

Register for the webinar.

Related Links

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Virtual: CDC hosts webinar titled “Vaccinations for School-Age Children: An Opportunity for Health Promotion, Collaboration, and Family Engagement!” on September 25 at 3:00 p.m. (ET); CE credit available

CDC, U.S. Department of Education, National Association of School Nurses, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation will host a webinar titled Vaccinations for School-Age Children: Opportunities for Health Promotion, Collaboration, and Family Engagement!, 3:00–4:30 p.m. (ET) on September 25. This webinar will provide school and healthcare attendees with training on the latest ACIP vaccination recommendations for K–12 students, and evidence-based strategies for strengthening childhood vaccination coverage. There will also be tips for how to develop partnership opportunities and use resources to talk with families about the importance of childhood vaccination.

The training will be recorded and available on CDC TRAIN for 1 year.

Continuing education credits for this activity are pending.

Register for the webinar.

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Virtual: Association of Immunization Managers hosts webinar titled “Sustaining Community-Based Partnerships to Build Vaccine Confidence” on September 30 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will host a webinar titled Sustaining Community-Based Partnerships to Build Vaccine Confidence, 2:00–3:00 p.m. (ET) on September 30. Participants will learn about innovative partnerships between local/state/jurisdictional immunization programs and community-based organizations. Hear how these partnerships that promote vaccine confidence among communities of focus can be sustained and strengthened as the immunization environment continues to evolve post-pandemic. Panelists will share the importance of partnerships that actively engage communities in planning and implementing programs, ensuring that community voices are at the forefront of decision-making processes.

Register for the webinar.

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Editable Resources

The Louisiana Department of Public Health shares HPV materials; organizations welcome to cobrand with their logos

The Louisiana Department of Public Health offers HPV-related materials that can be cobranded with your organization’s logo.

Download resources and campaign materials.

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Resources

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15; Immunize​.org’s Spanish language resources support your Spanish-speaking patients

National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain and elsewhere in the Americas. Immunize​.org offers a variety of resources in Spanish, including translated handouts for patients and healthcare personnel and Spanish-language VISs.

Related Links

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The Association of Immunization Managers shares six free immunization eLearning modules and its iREACH Lessons Learned report

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) iREACH team created a series of six eLearning modules to increase knowledge and support community conversations about flu, COVID-19, and basic information about vaccines and vaccine safety. In addition, the modules help to address the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in vaccine coverage and disease outcomes. These modules were created with the general public, community health workers and promotoras, trusted messengers, and community champions in mind. They can be used for individual or shared learning, and a certificate of completion is available for individuals who complete the modules. The free modules are available in English and Spanish and are accessible by desktop or phone.

View the modules.

Additionally, the iREACH team at AIM partnered with Neimand Collaborative to document the successes and challenges of REACH recipients working in racial and ethnic minority communities to increase flu and COVID-19 vaccination rates. The iREACH Lessons Learned Report explores ways to strengthen and sustain the partnerships and activities developed over the last few years to create meaningful change in REACH communities.

View the report.

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Medscape Education shares free hepatitis curriculum, “Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers”; CE available

Medscape Education released a free education curriculum, Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers, featuring expert perspectives on the prevention and management of viral hepatitis. This educational curriculum is intended for a U.S. audience of infectious disease specialists, primary care physicians, obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants.

The curriculum includes activities:

  • Hepatitis C Screening and Beyond: Role of the Primary Care Team in Addressing Inequities
  • Driving Hepatitis B Management: Universal Screening and Vaccination in Primary Care
  • Hepatitis C Virus Disparities: Strategies for Bridging the Gap
  • What Is the Priority? Screening, Treatment, and Vaccination Guidelines for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

View the course.

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Funding Opportunities

Available funding opportunities may be found on the Partnering for Vaccine Equity Resource Hub

Partnering for Vaccine Equity’s Funding Opportunities main page offers a list of open funding opportunities related to vaccination and health equity.

Please reach out to PHEbranch@cdc.gov if your organization has a funding opportunity to add to the list.

See the funding opportunities.

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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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