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Top Stories
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
Featured Resources
Notable Publications
Global News
Upcoming Events
Top Stories
CDC updates its SchoolVaxView website with data for 2023–24 school year, documenting another year of decreasing vaccination coverage and increasing exemptions among kindergarteners
On October 2, CDC released the annual update to its SchoolVaxView website, documenting vaccination coverage and exemptions among kindergarteners for the 2023–24 school year based on data reported by the states and the District of Columbia (DC). A summary of the findings appears below. Vaccination Coverage During the 2023–24 School Year
 CDC will release a comprehensive report analyzing this data in MMWR on October 17. Related Links
CDC posts 2024–25 COVID-19 Novavax vaccine standing orders templates and at-a-glance resources. Immunize.org updates “Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools.” CDC posted highly anticipated new 2024–25 Novavax protein-based vaccine resources at its U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information main page. This page links to standing orders templates for COVID-19 Novavax vaccine and the mRNA vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. This page also links to at-a-glance summaries for each of the three 2024–25 vaccines. 
All COVID-19 vaccine providers should regularly review this checklist. Download the latest documents and discard outdated versions.
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“COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥18 Years—COVID-NET, 12 States, October 2023–April 2024” published in MMWR
CDC published COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥18 Years—COVID-NET, 12 States, October 2023–April 2024 on October 3 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. Hospitalization due to COVID-19 remains a public health concern. The risk for hospitalization among adults increases with age. . . . During October 2023–April 2024, adults aged ≥65 years accounted for 70% of all COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among adults. Most hospitalized adults had multiple underlying medical conditions. Only 12% had received the recommended COVID-19 2023–2024 formula vaccine. . . . Adults at increased risk for COVID-19–associated hospitalization should reduce their risk for severe COVID-19 by adopting measures to reduce risk for contracting COVID-19, receiving recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, and seeking prompt outpatient antiviral treatment after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result.
It’s the perfect time for you and your patients to get influenza vaccine; influenza disease activity is low nationally
October is the official beginning of the 2024–25 U.S. influenza season and is the perfect time to vaccinate against influenza. For the final week of the 2023–24 influenza season, week 39, ending September 28, CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView shows low or minimal respiratory illness activity nationally. One pediatric influenza-associated death in October 2023 was reported this week, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths during the 2023–24 season to 201. These childhood deaths, and the decline in childhood influenza vaccination rates during the 2023–24 season, underscore the importance of influenza vaccination to protect more children this season. Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
Immunize.org’s Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll recognizes 587 institutions, including two new honorees Immunize.org is pleased to welcome two new institutions into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, which now recognizes 587 honorees. The new birthing institutions appear below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
Please join us in recognizing these honorees with sustained excellence that qualify for an additional year:
The Honor Roll includes 587 birthing institutions from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, and our U.S. military hospital in England. The Honor Roll is a key part of Immunize.org’s initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give Birth to the End of Hep B. Hospitals and birthing centers are recognized for attaining high coverage for hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting additional criteria. To learn whether your organization qualifies and to access the application form, please see Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online.
“Do Infants Born Soon After Maternal RSV Vaccination Need RSV Preventive Antibody?” Watch the 1-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube. This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is Do Infants Born Soon After Maternal RSV Vaccination Need RSV Preventive Antibody? The video explains that if infants are born less than 14 days after the mother received the RSV vaccine, they should receive nirsevimab. Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise.
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
This week we spotlight two pages with important information for clinicians, public health authorities, vaccination advocates, and families: Vaccine-Specific Requirements by state and State Exemptions. These can be found by choosing the Official Guidance tab at the top of every page, then selecting States from the left-hand list. The State Exemptions page links to a map and data table showing which states accept medical, religious, and personal vaccination exemptions and a map of exemptions permitted for school and childcare. In addition, it links to policy statements from medical organizations endorsing strong school and childcare vaccination requirements. Also provided is a link to view an archive of the past year’s requirements. Back to top
Virtual: Questions about our website? Get them answered live. Register for the next Immunize.org Website Office Hours on October 15 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) or October 16 at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
If you have challenges or questions about using the Immunize.org website, please register for a Website Office Hours session on Tuesday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) or Wednesday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). We are offering two online Website Office Hours sessions every other week, and plan to adjust as needed to support our users. Featured Resources
Medscape Education released an education curriculum, Measles—United States, January 1, 2020–March 28, 2024, for healthcare professionals who care for patients at risk for measles. The activity will help learners evaluate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of measles infections in the United States between 2020 and 2024. To earn CME, internal medicine maintenance of certification (MOC), or CE credit, please click here. Back to top
Liver cancer is a serious consequence of untreated hepatitis B, which is a vaccine-preventable disease. The Hepatitis B Foundation recognizes Liver Cancer Awareness Month this October with a social media toolkit. The toolkit features real-life stories from individuals affected by hepatitis B and liver cancer, adding a personal touch to the fight against these diseases. This social media toolkit is for professionals, community advocates, and anyone passionate about raising awareness about liver cancer. These resources may help your patients understand the importance of vaccinating everyone younger than age 60 against hepatitis B, as recommended by CDC and ACIP since 2022. Encountering nervous patients as respiratory vaccination season begins? Use Immunize.org’s suite of clinical resources to offer a positive vaccination experience and ease injection anxiety. In Clinical Resources: Improving the Vaccination Experience, Immunize.org provides print and video tools to create a positive vaccination experience and ease injection anxiety in children and adults. Links to additional resources from trusted partner organizations are also provided.
Related Link
Help Immunize.org reach more vaccinators through your social media networks. Follow us and share our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
Immunize.org launched a social media program to highlight our educational resources for a new audience of vaccinators. Our social media channels now feature our most popular printable resources and Ask the Experts questions, as well as announcements important to frontline vaccinators. Please view and share our newest feature, the Ask the Experts Video Series. Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise:
Mighty handy! Immunize.org offers adult and lifetime handheld immunization record cards you can provide your patients.
Immunize.org's personal immunization record cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, waterproof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent personal vaccination record and are sold in boxes of 250. Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email [email protected].
Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email [email protected].
Notable Publications
“Nirsevimab and Acute Bronchiolitis Episodes in Pediatric Emergency Departments" published in Pediatrics
In the October 2024 issue, Pediatrics published Nirsevimab and Acute Bronchiolitis Episodes in Pediatric Emergency Departments. This study from Spain found a 63% decrease in pediatric hospitalizations and ICU admissions due to acute bronchiolitis (most commonly caused by RSV) in the 2023–24 RSV season compared to RSV seasons from 2018 through 2023. A portion of the abstract appears below. Global News
“Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2024 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-Associated Hospitalization—REVELAC-i Network, Five South American Countries, March–July 2024” published in MMWR
CDC published Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2024 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-Associated Hospitalization—REVELAC-i Network, Five South American Countries, March–July 2024 on October 3 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) varies by season. . . . In five South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay) the 2024 Southern Hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine reduced the risk for influenza-associated hospitalization among high-risk groups by 35%. VE might be similar in the Northern Hemisphere if similar A(H3N2) viruses predominate during the 2024–25 influenza season. . . . CDC recommends that all eligible persons aged ≥6 months receive seasonal influenza vaccine. Early antiviral treatment can complement vaccination to protect against severe influenza-related morbidity.
Upcoming Events
Tomorrow! Virtual: National Association of County and City Health Officials and CDC host webinar titled “Respiratory Virus Season” on October 10 at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and CDC will host a webinar titled Respiratory Virus Season, 2:00–3:00 p.m. (ET) on October 10. Participants will learn about the current state of respiratory illnesses, vaccination and prevention strategies, and updated CDC messaging on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The session will spotlight a local health department's vaccination campaign and include time for questions and answers. Back to top
Virtual: North Dakota State University hosts webinar titled “Pediatric Respiratory Virus Update: COVID-19, RSV, and Flu” on October 17 and 21 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) North Dakota State University's Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE) will host a webinar titled Pediatric Respiratory Virus Update: COVID-19, RSV, and Flu, 1:00–2:00 p.m. (ET) on October 17 and 21. The webinar will provide an update on the status of pediatric respiratory viruses, including current trends, recommendations for prevention, and best practices. The speaker is Tracie Newman, MD, MPH, pediatrician and medical director of CIRE. For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events. |
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