Issue 1,558: March 31, 2021
Top Stories
IAC Handouts
Featured Resources
Journal Articles and Newsletters
Education and Training
Immunization PSAs from the Archive
Top Stories
IAC Express keeps readers up to date on what’s new with vaccines each week; urge your colleagues to subscribe!
IAC Express, the free weekly e-newsletter produced by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), succinctly summarizes the week’s important immunization developments, including new and updated vaccine recommendations from CDC and the latest vaccine decisions by FDA. IAC Express also contains newly posted Vaccine Information Statements and their translations, and immunization education materials from IAC, CDC, AAP, and others. Subscribers learn about online and in-person educational opportunities, many offering free continuing education credit.
We appreciate you as a subscriber! Encourage your co-workers to subscribe to IAC Express so they get everything that matters to vaccinators in their own inbox.
CDC posts new COVID-19 vaccine quick comparison chart for healthcare professionals
CDC's new COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals is a 2-page reference table providing basic information on the proper storage, preparation, and administration of the current U.S.-authorized COVID-19 vaccines.
The reference guide is available as both a factsheet (8.5" x 11" format) as well as a poster (11" x 17" format). This document can be found on the CDC's U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information gateway page.
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CDC’s “Interim Clinical Considerations Summary” and “Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations Table” are now available as fact sheets or posters
CDC posted two new COVID-19 vaccine-related documents: Interim Clinical Considerations Summary and Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations Table.
The Interim Clinical Considerations Summary provides an easy reference of clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States. View in poster format.
The Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations Table provides resources for preventing and reporting COVID-19 vaccine administration errors, as well as actions to take after an error has occurred. For completeness, it discusses other scenarios that deviate from CDC recommendations for vaccine intervals but are not considered administration errors. View in poster format.
All four of these documents can be found on CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations web page.
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CDC’s “Prevaccination Checklist for COVID-19 Vaccines” is available in both English and Spanish
CDC's Prevaccination Checklist for COVID-19 Vaccines contains questions to help determine if there is any reason an individual should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the current visit. The second part of the document is information to help healthcare personnel use the patient checklist results to determine if the available vaccine is indicated for this person at this time.
View the patient component of the checklist in Spanish.
Links to both English- and Spanish-language versions are included in the "Administration Resources" section on CDC’s U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information web pages and are shown for each authorized vaccine below.
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CDC calls for children to get caught up on recommended vaccines for a safe return to school
Dr. Messonnier, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, issued a letter titled Help Kids’ Safe Return to School - Get Caught Up on Recommended Vaccines. It asks for help getting children caught up on routine vaccines missed over the last year due to COVID-19.
The letter categorizes specific catch-up efforts that can be undertaken by healthcare systems and healthcare providers, healthcare provider organizations, schools, and state and local government agencies.
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Reminder: IAC posts video archive and slides from March 4 webinar by CDC scientists on safety monitoring and communications for COVID-19 vaccines
On March 4, two CDC scientists were featured speakers on an IAC webinar titled "Updates on CDC’s Safety Monitoring and Communications for COVID-19 Vaccines":
- Tom Shimabukuro, MD, MPH, MBA, deputy director, Immunization Safety Office
- Janine Cory, MPH, associate director for communications, Vaccine Task Force
Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH, IAC deputy director, moderated the webinar.
The entire webinar is now archived for viewing and the slides are available to download.
Please share the webinar link with your colleagues.
“County-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Social Vulnerability—United States, December 14, 2020–March 1, 2021” published in MMWR
CDC published County-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Social Vulnerability—United States, December 14, 2020–March 1, 2021 in MMWR on March 26. The summary appears below.
COVID-19 has disproportionally affected racial/ethnic minority groups and persons who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Ensuring equitable COVID-19 vaccine coverage is a national priority.
In the first 2.5 months of the U.S. vaccination program, high social vulnerability counties had lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than did low social vulnerability counties. Although vaccination coverage estimates by county-level social vulnerability varied widely among states, disparities in vaccination coverage were observed in the majority of states.
Continued monitoring of vaccination coverage by social vulnerability metrics is critical for developing tailored, local vaccine administration and outreach efforts to reduce COVID-19 vaccination inequities.
Related Link
- MMWR's gateway page provides access to MMWR Weekly, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, and MMWR Supplements
Vaccinated against COVID-19? Let your friends know by adding IAC’s “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” Facebook profile photo frame!
Share your excitement about COVID-19 vaccination and inspire your friends! When you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, add IAC's new "I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine" Facebook photo frame to liven up your profile picture!
You can obtain the frame in two ways:
Together we can end the COVID-19 pandemic!
IAC Spotlight! IAC's “Top 6” training materials will help you with proper technique and guidance for correctly administering COVID-19 vaccines and all others. Check them out!
IAC’s tallies show the following six print materials have risen to the top of the popularity list because so many new vaccinators are being trained on administering COVID-19 vaccines. You can use these materials in your healthcare setting, as well. They are excellent refresher materials and useful for teaching new staff about administering vaccines. Check them out.
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CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announces partnership with dialysis centers to administer COVID-19 vaccinations
On March 25, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, described efforts to foster COVID-19 vaccination at dialysis centers. A portion of Dr. Walensky's statement appears below.
A new federal effort announced today will help people with chronic kidney disease who require dialysis access COVID-19 vaccinations through dialysis clinics, as well as provide vaccines for healthcare workers at dialysis centers. This effort is another important step in making sure that vaccines reach the most medically vulnerable communities and that equity continues to anchor our efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic....
...Dialysis care providers have longstanding experience administering flu and hepatitis B vaccinations to people who receive dialysis treatment. They also have extensive operational, logistical, and information-technology infrastructure to support COVID-19 vaccinations. Importantly, this effort will allow people who receive dialysis treatments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from a trusted, trained, and familiar source at a location they already visit several times each week. It will also protect the healthcare personnel who care for this population. To date, only 35 percent of healthcare workers in dialysis centers have been vaccinated.
I am proud that CDC has partnered with dialysis provider organizations across the U.S., including the two largest operators of dialysis clinics nationally, DaVita Inc. and Fresenius Medical Care North America, to support the rapid vaccination of most dialysis patients and healthcare personnel. CDC is partnering with additional dialysis providers to ensure the widest reach possible with this population across the United States. This is another crucial step to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to protect populations that have been put at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.
Dialysis centers will want to use this as an opportunity to assess the completeness of hepatitis B vaccination among their patients.
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Two healthcare organizations join IAC’s Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination
There are now 1,148 organizations enrolled in IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), medical practices, pharmacies, professional organizations, health departments, and other government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel.
Since December 2, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, two additional healthcare organizations have been enrolled.
- CarePoint Health - Christ Hospital, Jersey City, NJ
- Horn Memorial Hospital, Ida Grove, IA
IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to complete the Application page.
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Order today! IAC’s laminated versions of CDC’s 2021 immunization schedules are ready to ship!
IAC's laminated versions of the 2021 U.S. child/adolescent immunization schedule and the 2021 U.S. adult immunization schedule are available for order.
These schedules are ideal for use in any busy healthcare setting where vaccinations are given. Their tough coating can be wiped down, and they’re durable enough to stand up to a year's worth of use.
The child/adolescent schedule is eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and the adult schedule is six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages), but both schedules fold down to a convenient 8.5" x 11" size.
 
With color coding for easy reading, our laminated schedules replicate the original CDC formatting, including the essential tables and notes.
PRICING
1–4 copies: $7.50 each
5–19 copies: $5.50 each
20–99 copies: $4.50 each
100–499 copies: $4.00 each
500–999 copies: $3.50 each
For quotes on customizing or placing orders of 1,000 copies or more, call 651-647-9009 or email [email protected].
Visit the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page for more information on the schedules, to view images of all the pages, and to download the order form today!
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IAC experts called on by news media
With vaccines in the news so much lately, journalists have sought out IAC experts to communicate the intricacies of running a quality vaccination program. Our insights have helped explain vaccines to the public and policy makers. We want to help them understand the complex work vaccinators do. We've reached mass markets and local stations, across the U.S. and overseas, via print, radio, television, blogs, and more. Here is a selection of our recent citations:
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Not-to-miss immunization articles in the news
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
IAC Handouts
IAC updates 1-page reference table “Administering Vaccines: Dose, Route, Site, and Needle Size”
Featured Resources
In IAC’s “Video of the Week,” VYF’s Amy Pisani poses COVID-19 vaccine questions to Dr. Paul Offit in a Facebook Live conversation
In this informal, friendly Facebook Live conversation with Dr. Paul Offit, recorded on January 15, 2021, Amy Pisani, executive director of Vaccinate Your Family (VYF), poses viewers' questions to Dr. Offit about the COVID-19 vaccines. He responds to questions about vaccine safety, effectiveness, children and vaccines, the second dose, and more.
Visit the whole collection at the VOTW archive.
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center releases “Talking about Vaccines with Dr. Hank Bernstein,” a series of short videos on COVID-19 vaccines
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center released a series of short videos featuring Dr. Hank Bernstein answering common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Bernstein is a professor of pediatrics at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The videos currently include:
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center updates their Human Papillomavirus Q&As in English and Spanish
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center updated their 2-page, printable Q&A for the public titled Human Papillomavirus: What You Should Know. The volume 6, winter 2021 version offers updated data and includes information about using the vaccine in those up to 45 years of age.
View the handout in Spanish.
As with their other Q&A sheets, VEC permits photocopying for distribution, and the links can be added to websites. Print versions are available for order.
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Use IAC’s expanded “Repository of Resources for Maintaining Immunization during the COVID-19 Pandemic” for catch-up initiatives
IAC now offers more than 280 items in its Repository of Resources for Maintaining Immunization during the COVID-19 Pandemic gateway page to assist in maintaining routine immunization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Located on the website of the National Network of Immunization Coalitions, a project of IAC, this repository includes links to both national and state-level policies and guidance; advocacy materials, including talking points, webinars, press releases, articles, and social media posts; and telehealth resources.
If you have a resource to suggest for the repository, please send a message to [email protected].
Related Links
Journal Articles and Newsletters
CHOP's Vaccine Education Center publishes March issue of Vaccine Update newsletter
The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) publishes a monthly immunization-focused newsletter titled Vaccine Update. The March issue includes the following article:
Additional resources, including information booklets for patients, are available in the full newsletter.
Access the sign-up form to subscribe to Vaccine Update.
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“Declines in Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Type Infection Among Females After Introduction of Vaccine—United States, 2003–2018” published in MMWR
CDC published Declines in Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Type Infection Among Females After Introduction of Vaccine—United States, 2003–2018 in MMWR on March 26. A summary appears below.
Twelve years after introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the United States, there have been significant declines in vaccine-type HPV infections among both vaccinated and unvaccinated adolescent and young adult females. This decline in infections demonstrates the high effectiveness of HPV vaccination and suggests indirect protection of unvaccinated young women as well [in part, due to vaccination of males]. Analysis of data from 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed continuing declines in four HPV types targeted by the HPV vaccine among females aged 14–19 years (88% decline) and 20–24 years (81% decline) compared to the pre-vaccine era (2003–2006). Compared with the pre-vaccine era, in 2015–2018, HPV infections decreased among sexually experienced females who were vaccinated (97% among 14–19-year-olds, 86% among 20–24-year-olds) as well as those who were not vaccinated (87% among 14–19-year-olds, 65% among 20–24-year-olds), suggesting indirect protection due to decreased transmission of HPV in the population. These results demonstrate the high population impact of HPV vaccination that will prevent disease caused by HPV, including precancers, cancers, and genital warts.
“Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Variants after Infection and Vaccination” published in JAMA
In the March 19 issue, JAMA published Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Variants after Infection and Vaccination. A portion of the article appears below.
Serum neutralizing antibodies rapidly appear after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination and are maintained for several months. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about the breadth of neutralizing-antibody responses. We compared the neutralizing-antibody response to 4 variants in infected and vaccinated individuals to determine how mutations within the spike protein are associated with virus neutralization....
...This study found neutralizing activity of infection- and vaccine-elicited antibodies against 4 SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1, B.1.1.7, and N501Y. Because neutralization studies measure the ability of antibodies to block virus infection, these results suggest that infection- and vaccine-induced immunity may be retained against the B.1.1.7 variant. As additional variants emerge, neutralizing-antibody responses after infection and vaccination should be monitored.
“Pregnancy, Postpartum Care, and COVID-19 Vaccination in 2021” published in JAMA
In the February 8 issue, JAMA published Pregnancy, Postpartum Care, and COVID-19 Vaccination in 2021. A portion of the article appears below.
Pregnant individuals considering COVID-19 vaccination may benefit from a discussion with their physician or other health care professional to weigh the benefits and potential risks of vaccination. However, this discussion should be optional so that it does not impose a barrier to vaccine receipt. Issues to consider in that discussion include data from animal studies and on pregnant individuals who were inadvertently exposed during vaccine clinical trials (once these data become available), risks of vaccine reactogenicity (eg, fever), timing of vaccination by trimester, evidence for safety of other vaccines, potential for mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 exposure risk (eg, working from home), risk of COVID-19 to the fetus or newborn, and the individual’s risk of complications due to pregnancy, her age, and underlying conditions. Studies to examine the effects of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy are in progress. For persons planning pregnancy, there is no evidence nor theoretical concerns regarding effects of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility. It is not necessary to delay pregnancy after COVID-19 vaccination. As part of pregnancy planning, clinicians should ensure that patients are up-to-date with all recommended vaccines, including COVID-19.
“On the Shoulders of Giants—From Jenner’s Cowpox to mRNA Covid Vaccines” published in NEJM with an accompanying interview with Dr. Paul Offit
In the March 25 issue, NEJM published On the Shoulders of Giants—From Jenner’s Cowpox to mRNA Covid Vaccines with an accompanying interview with Dr. Paul Offit. A portion of the article appears below.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will be an important test of whether...new platforms can fulfill their promise of creating safe, effective, and scalable vaccines more quickly than traditional methods. If they pass this test, the next task will be to accomplish equitable, efficient vaccine distribution—which would represent an even greater achievement.
Education and Training
Indiana Immunization Coalition hosts webinar “Back to the Vax” on April 8
Indiana Immunization Coalition will present a webinar titled Back to the Vax on April 8 from 3:00–4:00 p.m. (ET). The speakers will be Lydia Green, a married mother of three and once "antivax" mom, and Nicole Baldwin, MD, a pediatrician at Northeast Cincinnati Pediatric Associates. During the webinar, Lydia will discuss her journey from being an "antivax" mom to being a vaccine proponent and advocate. Lydia and Dr. Nicole Baldwin will offer insight into communicating with parents and families who may be vaccine-hesitant or resistant. CME, CNE, and CPE will be offered.
Register for the webinar.
CHOP Vaccine Education Center’s Current Issues in Vaccines event from March 24 featuring Dr. Paul Offit discussing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines now posted; CE available
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center offers Current Issues in Vaccines webinar series for healthcare personnel. Each Current Issues in Vaccines webinar presents topics being addressed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), covered by the media or asked by parents.
Dr. Paul Offit provided an update about COVID-19 vaccines during the March 24 Current Issues in Vaccines webinar. You can view the archived event from the webinar archive page.
One free continuing education credit (CME/CPE) is offered upon completion.
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Save the date! HHS hosts discussion on Vaccines National Strategic Plan 2021–2025 in a webinar on April 6
U.S. Department of Human Health Services (HHS) will host a webinar on April 6 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. (ET) to discuss the Vaccines National Strategic Plan: 2021–2025, released on January 19. This vaccine plan sets forth a vision for how the United States will be a place where vaccine-preventable diseases are eliminated through safe and effective vaccination across the lifespan.
Registration information will be made available soon.
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AIM hosts “Engaging Faith Leaders to Improve Vaccine Confidence” webinar on April 7
Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will host an interfaith webinar titled Engaging Faith Leaders to Improve Vaccine Confidence from 1:00–2:30 p.m. (ET) on April 7. Religious leaders from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities will address building vaccine confidence in faith communities. Attendees will learn best practices for building partnerships with faith leaders. The speakers will be Imam Sharif Mohamed, Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque; Rabbi Adir Posy, director, Department of Synagogue & Community Services at the Orthodox Union; and Reverend Alfred Babington-Johnson, founder, president, and CEO at the Stair Step Foundation. Following the presentations will be an interactive question and answer panel.
Register for the webinar.
CDC releases new series of brief webinars for addressing topics related to COVID-19 vaccination; CE available
CDC is offering a series of 15–20 minute webinars addressing topics around COVID-19 vaccination. These interactive, web-based training modules offer a real-world perspective on different issues around COVID-19 vaccines. Topics range from routine clinical and vaccine safety information to guidance for on-site clinic vaccination activities and having conversations with vaccine recipients. Each webinar includes self-test practice questions and lists additional resources related to the topic discussed. Continuing education will be available upon completion for each module. Currently, the series includes:
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Immunization PSAs from the Archive
In this compelling 1995 PSA from the Nevada Health Division, boxer Oscar de la Hoya wants you to get your baby immunized for a fighting chance at life
In this 1995 public service announcement (PSA) from the Nevada Health Division, boxer Oscar de la Hoya tells us "even tough guys immunize" and wants you to get your baby immunized for a fighting chance at life. This PSA is part of a collection curated by vaccine expert William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH.
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Video of the Week
VYF's COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A Featuring Dr. Paul Offit: In this informal, friendly Facebook Live conversation with Dr. Paul Offit, recorded on January 15, 2021, Amy Pisani, executive director of Vaccinate Your Family, poses viewers' questions to Dr. Offit about the COVID-19 vaccines. He responds to questions about vaccine safety, effectiveness, children and vaccines, the second dose, and more.
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Technically Speaking
Read Dr. Wexler's column for the Vaccine Education Center's monthly newsletter, Vaccine Update
Vaccinating Adults:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Calendar of Events
Conferences, meetings, and training opportunities
Patient Record Cards
Record cards for patients -- child & teen, adult, and lifetime -- are printed on durable paper and sized to fit in a wallet when folded
DVD: Immunization Techniques
Every practice should have this award winning, "how-to" training video
Protect Newborns Guidebook
Editorial Information
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