Immunize​.org recently updated its Record of Vaccine Declination, a form that any vaccination provider may use to document parents’ refusal of vaccination. The record also documents that parents have been provided clear information concerning the potential consequences of their choices.

The form now incorporates RSV preventive antibody in the table of immunizing products that parents could decline. The reverse side of the record gives healthcare professionals using the form additional information about the value of documenting declination in the medical record, along with useful references. This section was updated to provide more recent examples of the consequences of not vaccinating, as well as links to additional in-depth resources from AAP and other organizations.



Related Links

• Immunize​.org: Clinical Resources: Documenting Vaccination main page
• Immunize​.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria

Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) launched its #FirstDayVax Back to School campaign to promote the importance of back-to-school immunizations. For students from elementary school to college, vaccinations are a critical step in keeping students, schools, and communities healthy. Find the sharable assets in the #FirstDayVax Toolkit, also available in Spanish.



Use the #FirstDayVax hashtag on social media and tag @vaccinateyourfamily (@vaxyourfam on X) so VYF can amplify your posts.

These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.

• Nature: Vaccines Save Lives: How Can Uptake Be Increased? (Commentary) (7/9/24) 
• Washington Post: What It’s Like to Survive Measles (7/7/24) 

In its July 8 issue, JAMA published Nonadjuvanted Bivalent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination and Perinatal Outcomes. This safety study showed no evidence of an increased risk of preterm birth (PTB) or certain related outcomes following vaccination with Abrysvo (Pfizer) RSV vaccine during pregnancy.

This retrospective study was conducted at two New York City hospitals within a single healthcare system. Subjects were patients who gave birth to singleton children at 32 weeks’ gestation or later, from September 2023 through January 2024. Prenatal RSV vaccination with Abrysvo was collected from the health system’s electronic health records. The researchers assessed PTB, defined as less than 37 weeks’ gestation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and small-for-gestational age (SGA) birth weight, among other outcomes. The authors concluded:

In this cohort study of pregnant individuals who delivered at 32 weeks’ gestation or later, the RSVpreF vaccine was not associated with an increased risk of PTB and perinatal outcomes. These data support the safety of prenatal RSVpreF vaccination, but further investigation into the risk of HDP is warranted.

On July 9, Gavi published The Vaccine Back-Stop, which highlights the importance in all countries of checking the vaccination status of children when visiting health facilities to help those who missed vaccinations. Catching children up on vaccines is an important responsibility of primary healthcare systems. Any visit to a health facility is an opportunity to ask about vaccination status and a chance for providers to administer vaccines. 



Related Link

• WHO: Global partners announce a new effort—“The Big Catch-up”—to vaccinate millions of children and restore immunization progress lost during the pandemic (4/24/23)

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CDC will host National Immunization Conference 2024 on August 12–14 in Atlanta, GA. The Agenda at a Glance is now available. Program content will cover science, policy, education, and implementation issues related to immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Register for the conference now. The general attendee fee is $685. CE will be offered. 
 
If you attend, be sure and find the team at Immunize​.org's exhibit booth and say hello!



See CDC's National Immunization Conference 2024 website for more information.