“The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in Persons Aged ≥18 Years and Considerations for Extended Intervals for Administration of Primary Series Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines—United States, February 2022” published in MMWR
CDC published The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendation for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in Persons Aged ≥18 Years and Considerations for Extended Intervals for Administration of Primary Series Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines—United States, February 2022 in the March 18 issue of MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below.
...On February 4, 2022, after a systematic review of the evidence, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued a standard recommendation for use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged ≥18 years. CDC provided guidance that an 8-week interval between primary series doses of mRNA vaccines might be optimal for some persons....
These recommendations were incorporated into the February 24 update to Immunize.org’s Ask the Experts: COVID-19 page. Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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“Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death—United States, March 2021–January 2022” published as an MMWR Early ReleaseCDC published Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death—United States, March 2021–January 2022 on March 18 as an MMWR Early Release. A portion of the summary appears below.
...Receiving 2 or 3 doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a 90% reduction in risk for COVID-19–associated IMV or death. Protection of 3 mRNA vaccine doses during the period of Omicron predominance was 94%....
The effectiveness of 2 or 3 doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against COVID-19–associated invasive mechanical ventilation or in-hospital death was high for:
- People age 18–64 years (91%) and those older than age 64 years (88%)
- People who are immunocompetent (92%) and those who are immunocompromised (74%)
- Immunocompetent people with zero (98 %), one (95%), two (89%), or more than two (84%) chronic conditions
Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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CDC revises two tables in its General Best Practice Guidelines for ImmunizationOn March 18, CDC updated the list of errata/updates in its General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization: Best Practices Guidance of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The updates include the definitions of new terms used to describe vaccine categories (including non-live and non-replicating), and new information about contraindications to dengue vaccination. Specific information from CDC about the recent updates appears below.
Timing and Spacing of Immunobiologics
Table 3-1 (callout from PAGE 12)
A new table has been added (check renumbering if you’ve exported stand-alone documents). The new table highlights categories of vaccines (with callout from text on page 12). There are four categories: live; live-attenuated; non-live; and non-replicating. …
Contraindications and Precautions
Table 4-1
In the row for dengue vaccine, information has been added specifying that dengue vaccine should be used only in persons in endemic areas who have evidence of prior infection with dengue virus. Additionally, “Lack of laboratory evidence of previous dengue infection” has been added as a contraindication to dengue vaccine.
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Order today! Laminated versions of CDC’s 2022 immunization schedules are available to ship. Immunize.org laminated versions of the 2022 U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule and the 2022 U.S. adult immunization schedule are available for preorder and will ship this week.
While the schedules are available online from CDC at no cost, Immunize.org’s printed, laminated 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.
In 2022, the length of each schedule with appendices was extended by two pages. As a result, the laminated schedules are now published in a standard 8.5” X 11” booklet format.
- The child/adolescent schedule booklet is ten pages (i.e., five double-sided pages) and includes a bonus page with Immunize.org’s popular 1-page handout summarizing the dose, route, and needle size recommendations for all vaccines and recipients
- The adult schedule booklet is eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages)
 
With color coding for easy reading, our laminated schedules replicate the original CDC formatting, including the essential tables and notes.
PRICING
| Number of Copies |
Cost |
| 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 Immunize.org: Laminated Schedules web page for more information on the schedules, to view images of all the pages, to download the order form, and to order today!
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Spotlight: Review of resources at Immunize.org focused on communications In this week's Immunize.org Spotlight, we summarize resources at Immunize.org that focus on communication between healthcare personnel, patients, and caregivers.
Immunize.org's Talking about Vaccines web section provides healthcare professionals with 11 topical web pages to help them discuss immunization with concerned parents or patients. Examples include “Adjuvants,” “Alternative Medicine,” “Autism,” “Religious Concerns,” and “Thimerosal.”
Unprotected People Stories features 109 real-life accounts of people who suffered or died from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Handouts for Patients and Staff leads to hundreds of patient handouts and fact sheets for healthcare professionals. All items are free to download, print, copy, and distribute widely.
Ask the Experts provides more than 1,100 timely questions and answers on specific diseases and their vaccines as well as vaccine delivery guidance (e.g., administration, billing, documenting).
Vaccine Basics: Common Questions about Vaccines offers patients and caregivers timely, accurate, and factual information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
AAP posts analysis of COVID-19 vaccination trends in U.S. children and adolescents Drawing on data collected and published by CDC, AAP is analyzing progress in vaccinating U.S. children younger than age 18 years in a new weekly summary report titled Children and COVID-19 Vaccinations Trends. The report covers the vaccine data available for children age 5–11 years, and the longer-term data for children age 12–17 years.
To download the full report with its useful graphics, click on the image below.
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Influenza activity is low overall, but continues to increase in some parts of the country. Keep offering to vaccinate. Influenza Surveillance
For week 9, ending on March 5, CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView summary reports that seasonal influenza activity in the United States is low but continues its gradual increase in parts of the country. The levels of acute respiratory illness reflected in the national map include both influenza and non-influenza (e.g., COVID-19) respiratory illnesses.
Influenza Vaccination Dashboard
CDC's new Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shares preliminary vaccination data. This week’s key fact: coverage this season (as of February 12) is 11.0 percentage points lower for non-Hispanic Black children compared with non-Hispanic White children (42.9% compared to 53.9%).
CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccine. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same visit, if needed. COVID-19 vaccination alone provides no protection from influenza or any other respiratory virus.
Vaccine Finder
If you don’t provide influenza vaccine at your site, please strongly recommend vaccination and refer people to sites that do vaccinate. Use VaccineFinder, a user-friendly website to help people of all ages find influenza, COVID-19, and other vaccines. Participating providers can update their vaccine inventory estimates on VaccineFinder. For questions or more information, contact [email protected].
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Immunize.org’s Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll recognizes 546 institutions, including one new honoree. Six previously honored institutions qualify for additional years' honors. Immunize.org is pleased to announce that one new institution has been accepted into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, for a total of 546 honorees. The birthing institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
- Erlanger Medical Center, Chattanooga, TN (95%)
One institution is being recognized for a second year:
- Bellevue Woman’s Center, Niskayuna, NY (94%)
Three institutions are being recognized for a fourth year:
- Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin, VT (93%)
- HealthPark Medical Center, Ft. Myers, FL (90%)
- Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence, MA (98%)
One institution is being recognized for a fifth year:
- RAF Lakenheath Hospital (U.S. Air Force), Brandon, England (93%)
Finally, one institution is being recognized for a sixth year:
- Integris Grove Hospital, Grove, OK (96%)
The Honor Roll now includes 546 birthing institutions from 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, and a U.S. military base in England. One hundred twenty-three institutions have qualified for two years, 71 institutions have qualified three times, 42 institutions have qualified four times, 26 institutions have qualified five times, 23 institutions have qualified six times, 11 institutions have qualified seven times, two institutions have qualified eight times and one institution has qualified nine times.
The Honor Roll is a key part of Immunize.org’s major 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 rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting specific additional criteria. The initiative urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online.
To be included in the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, a birthing institution must have: (1) reported a coverage rate of 90% or greater, over a 12-month period, for administering hepatitis B vaccine before hospital discharge to all newborns, including those whose parents refuse vaccination, and (2) implemented specific written policies, procedures, and protocols to protect all newborns from hepatitis B virus infection before hospital discharge.
Honorees are also awarded an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for framing and their acceptance is announced to IZ Express’s 53,000+ readers.
Please visit the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and their exceptional efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission.
Related Immunize.org Resources
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Immunize.org Pages and Handouts
Reminder: Immunize.org updates two of its popular standing order templates with new CDC recommendations: pneumococcal vaccination of adults and zoster (shingles) vaccination
Immunize.org recently revised its Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccines (PCV15, PCV20, and PPSV23) to Adults and Standing Orders for Administering Recombinant Zoster Vaccine to Adults templates.
The Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccines (PCV15, PCV20, and PPSV23) to Adults template incorporates the new CDC recommendations published in January 2022. This template covers the use of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15, Vaxneuvance, Merck), PCV20 (Prevnar20, Pfizer), and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23, Pneumovax 23, Merck). The document outlines what to do for previously unvaccinated adults, as well as adults with a history of vaccination with PCV13 and/or PPSV23.
The Standing Orders for Administering Recombinant Zoster Vaccine to Adults template was updated with information on the new CDC recommendations for use of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix, GSK) in adults age 19 and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed as a result of disease or therapy. For patients in this category, the standing orders recommend consultation with the medical director and—as needed—the provider primarily responsible for managing the patient’s immunocompromising condition or therapy. This is because the complex and highly variable nature of immunocompromising conditions may affect the optimal timing of vaccination.
 
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Reminder: "Ask the Experts: Zoster" web page updated with new clinical considerations for vaccination of immunocompromised adults age 19 and older Immunize.org thoroughly reviewed and updated its popular Ask the Experts: Zoster web page on March 9. This extensive list of clinical questions and answers was updated to incorporate new ACIP recommendations and clinical considerations for the use of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix, GSK) in adults age 19 years and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed as a result of disease or therapy. The section addresses challenging clinical questions, such as:
- Do immunocompromised adults need to be screened for immunity to varicella zoster virus?
- What do I do with an adult who never had chickenpox and only had one dose of varicella vaccine?
- Should I shorten the dosing interval if a person knows they will be starting chemotherapy soon?
Immunize.org's Ask the Experts main page leads you to 30 distinct web pages on a variety of topics with more than 1,100 common or challenging questions and answers about vaccines and their administration. Immunize.org's team of experts includes Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH (team lead), Carolyn B. Bridges, MD, FACP, and Iyabode Beysolow, MD, MPH.
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Vaccine Information Statements
Reminder: Immunize.org posts new Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) in nine languages for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine
Immunize.org posted new translations of Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Recombinant Zoster (shingles) Vaccine.
All translations are available in print-ready PDF format.
VIS translations for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV):
VIS translations for Recombinant Zoster (shingles) Vaccine:
Translations of previous VIS versions may be used until new translations become available. CDC states that the corresponding up-to-date English-language VIS must also be supplied when providing an out-of-date translation.
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65+ Flu Defense website offers resources for healthcare professionals serving older adults
Confident recommendations for influenza vaccine from healthcare providers are powerfully persuasive. To assist you in maximizing protection for your patients, Immunize.org, in collaboration with Seqirus, updated the 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org.
A fact sheet on the site, The Importance of Preventing Influenza during a Pandemic, offers responses to help guide discussions with patients on the increased importance of flu vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Age increases risks associated with COVID-19 infection including hospitalization and death. Preliminary studies suggest coinfection with influenza B and SARS-CoV-2 may elevate the risk of poor outcomes.
This helpful site includes information, tools, and tips for communicating with these adults about the scope and severity of influenza. Resources include:
Check out the updated 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org to assist your efforts in protecting this vulnerable population.
"Trends in Human Papillomavirus–Associated Cancers, Demographic Characteristics, and Vaccinations in the U.S., 2001–2017" published in JAMA Network
In the March 16 issue, JAMA Network published Trends in Human Papillomavirus–Associated Cancers, Demographic Characteristics, and Vaccinations in the U.S., 2001–2017. Before vaccination approval, cervical cancer rates in the 20- to 24-year age group were decreasing very gradually, by 2.29% annually; after vaccine approval, this rate of decrease accelerated to 9.50% annually.
The conclusions and relevance section appears below.
In the US, cervical cancer rates have decreased at a population level, especially in younger women. The findings of this study suggest this decrease may be associated with vaccination. Given the increase in oropharyngeal and anal/rectal cancers, particularly in men, it may be important to highlight vaccination uptake in both sexes.
Listen to an interview with John K. Chan, MD, author of this article, hosted by Angel N. Desai, MD, MPH (16:23 minutes).
Virtual: Nevada Immunization Learning Exchange offers webinar, “Overview for Parents and Caregivers: The COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs including Children Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” on March 29
Nevada Immunization Learning Exchange (NILE) will offer a webinar titled Overview for Parents and Caregivers: The COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs including Children Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on March 29 at 6:00 p.m. (PT). During this program, there will be a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on children and youth with special healthcare needs, including children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Registration is open for this webinar.
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