Issue 1,582: August 11, 2021
Top Stories
Featured Resources
Notable Publications
Upcoming Events
Immunization PSAs from the Archive
Top Stories
Step up your back-to-school vaccination efforts with a Week of Action during National Immunization Awareness Month!
From August 7th through 15th, Made to Save and the Department of Health and Human Services’ We Can Do This campaign are launching a Back to School Week of Action mobilization effort. The focus is on school and campus-based COVID-19 vaccination drives for students, their families, and their communities.
Watch the Back to School Vaccination Week of Action Kickoff video on YouTube.
Now is the time for a national effort led by organizations like yours to get young people vaccinated. Visit the Back to School Week of Action web page to get involved.
Don't forget that August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of healthcare professionals to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination.
CDC’s NIAM web page includes two toolkits, one for reaching healthcare professionals and the other for reaching parents and patients. Each includes key messages, sample social media content, and educational resources. CDC encourages its partners to share these messages and resources throughout August using the hashtag #ivax2protect. Stay tuned for more resources to be released throughout the coming weeks.
Related Links
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Watch the virtual ACIP meeting on August 13; no registration is required
CDC will convene its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on August 13, starting at 11:00 a.m. (ET). The agenda will center on additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised individuals. No vote is scheduled.
No registration is required to watch webcasts of live ACIP meetings or listen via telephone. Opportunities for public comment are described at the website.
Related Link
- ACIP gateway page for content from previous meetings, as well as information about future meetings
ACOG issues updated practice advisory unequivocally recommending all pregnant and lactating individuals receive COVID-19 vaccination
On July 30, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued an updated practice advisory on COVID-19 vaccination. The advisory summarizes the latest COVID-19 vaccine safety data in pregnancy and states unequivocally that all eligible people, including pregnant and lactating individuals, should receive COVID-19 vaccination. A portion of the statement is reprinted below.
Obstetrician-gynecologists and other women’s health care practitioners should lead by example by being vaccinated and encouraging eligible patients to be vaccinated as well.
COVID-19 vaccine development and regulatory approval are rapidly progressing. Thus, information and recommendations will evolve as more data are collected about these vaccines and their use in specific populations. This Practice Advisory is intended to be an overview of currently available COVID-19 vaccines and guidance for their use in pregnant, recently pregnant, and nonpregnant individuals.
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“Reduced Risk of Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 Vaccination—Kentucky, May–June 2021,” published in MMWR
A new study published in the August 6 MMWR Early Release examined COVID-19 infections in Kentucky among people who were previously infected with SAR-CoV-2. The study showed that individuals who remain unvaccinated were more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated after initially contracting the virus. A portion of the media statement appears below.
These data further indicate that COVID-19 vaccines offer better protection than natural immunity alone and that vaccines, even after prior infection, help prevent reinfections....
The study of hundreds of Kentucky residents with previous infections through June 2021 found that those who were unvaccinated had 2.34 times the odds of reinfection compared with those who were fully vaccinated. The findings suggest that among people who have had COVID-19 previously, getting fully vaccinated provides additional protection against reinfection....
Additionally, even among the uncommon cases of COVID-19 among the fully or partially vaccinated vaccines make people more likely to have a milder and shorter illness compared to those who are unvaccinated. CDC continues to recommend everyone 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Related Link
“Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing Hospitalization among Adults Aged ≥65 Years—13 States, COVID-NET, February–April 2021” published in MMWR
CDC published Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing Hospitalization among Adults Aged ≥65 Years—13 States, COVID-NET, February–April 2021 in the August 6 MMWR Early Release. A portion of the summary is reprinted below.
Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use in the United States (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen [Johnson & Johnson]) have shown high efficacy in preventing symptomatic (including moderate to severe) COVID-19....
Among adults aged 65–74 years, effectiveness of full vaccination for preventing hospitalization was 96% for Pfizer-BioNTech, 96% for Moderna, and 84% for Janssen COVID-19 vaccines; among adults aged ≥75 years, effectiveness of full vaccination for preventing hospitalization was 91% for Pfizer-BioNTech, 96% for Moderna, and 85% for Janssen COVID-19 vaccines....
Efforts to increase vaccination coverage are critical to reducing the risk for COVID-19–related hospitalization, particularly in older adults.
Access the MMWR article in PDF format o r in HTML format.
Related Link
- MMWR gateway page provides access to MMWR Weekly and its companion publications
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American College Health Association organizes joint statement urging end of dangerous restrictions in some states that limit use of COVID-19 control measures
On August 2, the American College Health Association (ACHA), joined by the American Council on Education (ACE) and dozens of national higher education organizations, issued a joint statement urging “all government officials who are charged with the responsibility of protecting the public health, to empower colleges and universities to use every available public health tool to protect campuses and neighboring communities from a COVID-19 surge this fall.” Portions of the statement are reprinted below.
U.S. colleges and universities will soon open for the fall 2021 semester, bringing together millions of students, faculty, and staff to resume on-campus activities. Most institutions plan to operate at full capacity: full classrooms and in-person instruction; full residence halls; full stadiums; full intramural and intercollegiate athletics; and a full array of social events. This comes at a particularly worrisome time, with the COVID-19 Delta variant, a far more aggressive and more transmissible COVID-19 strain, now so widespread across the country that it accounts for an estimated 83% of coronavirus cases. The increasing number of hospitalizations of unvaccinated teenagers and young adults is also deeply concerning....
An increasing number of states have restricted the ability of colleges and other organizations to deploy an evidence-based combination of strategies to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks on campus and in surrounding communities and respond to them promptly and effectively should they occur. Some states forbid inquiries about an array of vaccinations, including COVID-19; ban vaccination requirements; block required COVID-19 surveillance testing; and restrict the use of evidence-based mitigation strategies, including masking. Many of these restrictions directly contradict CDC guidance. State actions that prevent the use of established and effective public health tools at the same time as COVID-19 cases increase is a recipe for disaster.
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HHS launches second phase of the “HPV VAX NOW” campaign for young adults
On July 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that its Office on Women's Health launched the second phase of the HPV VAX NOW campaign. The initial campaign, launched on January 6, supported healthcare providers who counsel young adults in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas by providing resources to promote effective HPV vaccine recommendations. The second phase of the campaign will target young adults ages 18–26 in the same three states, to address low HPV vaccination coverage. Portions of the statement are reprinted below.
Currently, only 40% of young adults in the United States have received one or more doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and only 22% have completed the vaccine series....
According to the most recently available data, in Mississippi and Texas, it is estimated that only 16% and 13% of young adults, respectively, have ever received a dose of the HPV vaccine. Similarly low coverage was estimated in South Carolina....
HPV VAX NOW was developed to increase young adults’ awareness of the risk for HPV-related cancers and help them recognize the protective benefits that the HPV vaccine offers. The campaign aims to dispel the myth that the HPV vaccine is only for women, encouraging all young adults – both males and females––who are not fully vaccinated to complete the vaccine series. Currently, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all women and men through age 26 who have not completed the series.
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IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to join 1,153 others on IAC's Influenza Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination: Apply now!
There are currently 1,153 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 entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel.
To be included in the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, the institutional mandate you report must require influenza vaccination for all staff and, in addition, must include measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated personnel to patients. Such measures may include a masking requirement for the entire work shift, reassignment to non-patient-care duties, or dismissal of the staff member.
IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to complete the Application page.
Related Links
IAC Spotlight! Review of resources at Immunize.org focused on enhancing clinic and practice operations
In this week's IAC Spotlight, we summarize resources at Immunize.org that focus on enhancing clinic and practice operations.
Our Clinic Tools gateway page is a one-stop source of practical information for vaccine providers. You will find "how-to" information about vaccinating in any setting.
Our Handouts for Patients and Staff gateway page leads to hundreds of free patient handouts and fact sheets for healthcare professionals. All items are ready to print, copy, and distribute widely.
Our Temperature Logs gateway page offers printable temperature logs to monitor freezers and refrigerators. This site also includes a troubleshooting record to document the occurrence and resolution of questionable or unacceptable vaccine storage events.
Our Documenting Vaccination gateway page offers forms to document vaccination or declination of vaccination, as well as various forms and checklists useful to healthcare personnel.
Our Scheduling Vaccines gateway page links to the recommended immunization schedules across the lifespan, with versions designed for either healthcare professionals or the public. Also includes summary of recommendations, standing order templates, and more.
Our free downloadable book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide, is a "how to" guide that provides easy-to-use, practical information covering essential adult immunization activities.
Our www.Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org website assists you in finding ideas for developing high-volume clinics.
Our Ask the Experts gateway pages leads to over 1,100 questions and answers about administering vaccines, contraindications and precautions, documentation, scheduling, storage and handling, and other topics.
Our Key Vaccination Resources for Healthcare Professionals offers a 5-page annotated list of resources for people who vaccinate or oversee vaccination clinics. The document lists foundational content with which every vaccinator should be familiar, supplemental content useful after completing foundational training, and additional tools to help providers grow in vaccination expertise.
Vaccines in the news
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
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Featured Resources
Order IAC’s child, adult, and lifetime immunization record cards—wallet-sized, designed to last!
IAC's personal immunization record cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, water-proof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They’re sized to fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent and 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].
Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including "Vaccines Save Lives" enamel pins, flu vaccine buttons and stickers, and a vaccine administration training video.
Check out IAC's “Me Vacuné…” and “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” buttons and stickers in the "Something Great” (the vaccine song) video! Available FREE to all organizations promoting or offering COVID-19 vaccination.
All organizations promoting or offering COVID-19 vaccination may order IAC’s FREE “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” buttons and stickers, provided with support from CDC. Access this order form to request the FREE buttons and stickers for your outreach efforts while supplies last.
Buttons and stickers remain available for sale to those not eligible for the CDC-funded supplies.
Need ideas on the many ways to wear them? Check out and share this fun music video from Waves of Adrenaline showcasing IAC's "I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine" buttons and stickers to promote COVID-19 vaccination!
Related Links
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Fall is right around the corner; so is flu season! Stock up on IAC's flu vaccine buttons and stickers for staff and patients.
After you order your vaccines, don’t forget to order your buttons and stickers. IAC “FLU VACCINE” buttons and stickers are ready to ship! Their bright red color helps broadcast your important message about the need for influenza vaccination. And the cost is reasonable.
“FLU VACCINE” BUTTONS
The button measures 1.25" across and carries a bold message! Pin on lab coats, uniforms, other clothing, tote bags, or backpacks to show support for flu vaccine.
Buttons are delivered in bags of 10 buttons per bag.
Click here for pricing and ordering information for "FLU VACCINE" buttons.
“FLU VACCINE” STICKERS
Measuring 1.5" across, these stickers adhere well to clothing and have an easy-peel-off backing.
Stickers are delivered to you cut individually (not on rolls)—available in bundles of 100.
Click here for pricing and ordering information for “FLU VACCINE” stickers.
Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including "Vaccines Save Lives" enamel pins, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.
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Vaccinated? Encourage friends by adding IAC’s “Me Vacuné…” or “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” Facebook profile photo frame.
Share your excitement about COVID-19 vaccination and inspire your friends! Add IAC's “Me Vacuné Contra el COVID-19” or "I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine" Facebook photo frame to liven up your profile picture!
You can obtain the frame in three ways:
IAC's website Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org can help you excel at mass vaccination activities
The Immunization Action Coalition’s website www.Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org assists you in finding ideas for developing your own high-volume clinics. Mass vaccination efforts are useful for influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.
Many of the documents were written in the pre-pandemic era and need modification to ensure that additional protections (e.g., social distancing, personal protective equipment) help safeguard against COVID-19 transmission.
More resources have been added, including:
In addition, IAC's archived, full-length webinar (1 h. 46 min.) highlighting best practices and offering practical information, Mass Vaccination Clinics: Challenges and Best Practices, can be viewed on www.Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org.
The www.Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org website includes a Related Resources web page linking to three articles by IAC authors that appeared in Becker’s Hospital Review.
If you have a resource to suggest for the website, please send a message to [email protected].
The webinar and the new website are supported by a medical education grant from Seqirus.
Related Links
Notable Publications
“Children and COVID-19 Vaccines” published in JAMA Pediatrics
In the July 4 issue, JAMA Pediatrics published Children and COVID-19 Vaccines. The opening paragraphs appear below.
Nearly 4 million children in the US have been infected with COVID-19 as of May 2021.
While most children have had mild or no symptoms, thousands have been hospitalized and several hundred have died. Children with underlying conditions are more likely to experience severe effects of COVID-19, but even healthy children can be severely affected. Children can spread COVID-19 to others and also can have long-term effects that last months. For these reasons, children need to be protected from COVID-19.
Related Links
MMWR recap: COVID-19 vaccine safety in adolescents and COVID-19 outbreak associated with large public gatherings
CDC recently published two articles first distributed as MMWR Early Releases:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years—United States, December 14, 2020–July 16, 2021 (MMWR August 6, HTML format or PDF format)
- Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Infections, including COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections, Associated with Large Public Gatherings—Barnstable County, Massachusetts, July 2021 (MMWR August 6, HTML format or PDF format)
Related Link
- MMWR gateway page provides access to MMWR Weekly and its companion publications
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Upcoming Events
Virtual: NFID hosts webinar “#VaxxedForClass: The Importance of Routine Immunizations” on August 17
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is offering a webinar titled #VaxxedForClass: The Importance of Routine Immunizations on August 17 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET). Panelists will present data on immunization coverage and discuss strategies to increase immunization rates due to the disruption in routine vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no fee to participate in this activity, but pre-registration is required.
Related Link
Virtual: Indiana Immunization Coalition hosts webinar “How Political Partisanship Impacts Vaccination” on September 1; CE available
The Indiana Immunization Coalition is offering a webinar titled How Political Partisanship Impacts Vaccination on September 1 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). This webinar features Brian Castrucci, DrPH, MA, president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation, discussing how partisan divides may be affecting herd immunity, and how to achieve the best public health outcomes. CME, CNE, and CPE will be offered.
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Immunization PSAs from the Archive
In this poignant PSA from New Mexico Department of Health, the Costales family asks you to vaccinate your child
This poignant 2004 public service announcement (PSA) from the New Mexico Department of Health features the Costales family, whose baby died of pertussis. This PSA is part of a collection curated by vaccine expert William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, that spans a period of more than 50 years.
Previous PSAs featured in "Immunization PSAs from the Archive” are available when viewing this Vimeo video.
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Editor-in-Chief
Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
Managing Editor
John Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
Associate Editor
Sharon Humiston, MD, MPH
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Taryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA
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Marian Deegan, JD
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