Issue 1,527: November 11, 2020
Top Stories
IAC Handouts
Vaccine Information Statements
Featured Resources
Journal Articles and Newsletters
Education and Training
On the Lighter Side
Top Stories
Developers of mRNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19 report positive data at interim analysis of phase 3 trial
Developers of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidate known as BNT162b2 reported in a November 9 press release that it had been found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in volunteers in a phase 3 trial. That efficacy value is based on the interval 7 days or more after the vaccine’s second dose. Detailed results have not yet been released. Additional data on efficacy and especially safety continue to be collected. The press release offered no other details on efficacy or safety, other than to say that “no serious safety concerns have been observed.”
BNT162b2 was developed by BioNTech, with Pfizer coordinating its clinical trials and large-scale manufacture. Another mRNA vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, developed by Moderna, could announce interim results in the next few weeks. Other developers, such as CureVac, are evaluating other mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
If these results are independently confirmed, it would mean that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can make COVID-19 vaccine preventable. This would bode well for similar mRNA vaccine candidates (e.g., from Moderna, CureVac), as well as other vaccine approaches based on the spike protein. This would include adenovirus-vector vaccines conveying the spike protein (being developed by Oxford/AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson) and isolated spike proteins in subunit vaccines (being developed by Novavax and Sanofi).
BioNTech and Pfizer anticipate meeting FDA’s minimum safety expectations in the third week of November, which could enable applying for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Detailed data packets on BNT162b2 would then be reviewed by FDA’s career scientists, FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), CDC’s career scientists, and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
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CDC releases executive summaries of COVID-19 vaccination plans for all states and jurisdictions
On November 6, CDC released executive summaries from the COVID-19 vaccine playbooks each state and jurisdiction submitted, a crucial step in the overall U.S. government effort to develop, distribute, and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
The executive summaries provide an overview of how each state and jurisdiction is planning for the phases of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. Elements of the playbooks include:
- Phased allocation assumptions and determining populations to whom a vaccine would be offered initially
- Systems to train and equip providers for adverse event reporting
- Providing operational detail for second dose reminders via text, email, and automated calls––a critical step to ensure people who are vaccinated get the full vaccine protection
CDC is continuing to enhance technical assistance to address the challenges identified in the jurisdictions’ playbooks, including communications around vaccine confidence and procedures for emergency communications, should they be necessary.
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IAC updates 24 Ask the Experts web pages on immunize.org
IAC’s Ask the Experts includes more than 1,000 questions and answers to common and challenging situations immunization providers face every day. All Ask the Experts questions and answers are periodically reviewed and refreshed as needed, even in the absence of changes in CDC recommendations. The IAC Ask the Experts team recently completed reviews of several frequently visited sections. Edits include minor updates, clarifications, and updated links to outside resources. Visit these pages to find the answers you are looking for!
Vaccine-specific reviewed sections:
Topic-specific reviewed sections:
IAC’s team of experts includes Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH (lead); Carolyn Bridges, MD, FACP; William Atkinson, MD, MPH; and Deborah Wexler, MD.
HHS issues letter to health-professions schools calling for compliance with federal civil rights laws protecting people living with hepatitis B
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a letter to health profession-related schools calling for renewed attention to admissions, clinical placement policies, and the schools’ obligation to comply with federal civil rights laws protecting the rights of people with hepatitis B.
The recent letter highlights current CDC recommendations for hepatitis B-infected healthcare providers and students. Those recommendations state, “HBV infection alone should not disqualify infected persons from the practice or study of surgery, dentistry, medicine, or allied health fields.”
“This message from HHS leadership brings much-needed national attention to the continued discrimination students living with hepatitis B face,” Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, said. “Despite federal protections, we continue to receive phone calls and letters from students around the country who face unjustified denial of school admission and enrollment or dismissal from academic programs because of their hepatitis B infection.”
The Hepatitis B Foundation encourages people living with hepatitis B who experience discrimination at a school in the U.S. to file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
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IAC Spotlight! Looking for the most frequently visited web pages on immunize.org? IAC’s "Favorites" tab at the top of every web page brings you to 18 of the most popular gateway pages on IAC's website
When you click on IAC's “Favorites” tab, you’ll find links to 18 of the most highly visited gateway pages of IAC's content-rich website, including training materials and clinic tools. The “Favorites” tab is easy to find from anywhere on immunize.org—it’s the first of the six blue tabs that run across the top of every web page. When you hover over this blue tab with your mouse or select it, the Favorites gateway page will appear.
The following sections are offered as choices on the Favorites gateway page:
Let IAC help you during these difficult times. Tap into the wealth of materials available from IAC. Just select the Favorites tab to visit the Favorites gateway page to find the most utilized content on immunize.org.
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Reminder! Webinar on mass vaccination strategies now archived and available for viewing on IAC's newest website: Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org. Recently IAC hosted Mass Vaccination Clinics: Challenges and Best Practices webinar with nearly 900 attendees. During this 1.75-hour session, a panel of experienced providers described their successes and challenges in conducting mass vaccination clinics. The panelists highlighted best practices and offered practical information for conducting a successful mass vaccination clinic. When visiting www.mass-vaccination-resources.org/webinar, you can watch the full-length webinar, or you can view the individual speakers’ presentations listed below. The presenters’ bios and slide-set handouts are also available on the web page.
- “Mass Clinic: Vaccine Storage and Handling and Vaccine Administration” by Andrew Kroeger, MD, MPH, NCIRD, CDC
- “Experiences, Recommendations, and Lessons Learned for Conducting Mass Vaccination Clinics” by Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, University of Louisville
- “Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinics” by Jeanne Marconi, MD, FAAP, PM Pediatrics, Lake Success, NY
- “Mobile Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics: Process, Partnerships, and Lessons Learned” by Kevin Cleveland, PharmD, ANP, Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, and Karen Sharpnack, Idaho Immunization Coalition
- “Mass Vaccination on a College Campus” by Amy Sauls, PharmD, BCACP; Michelle Camarena, MSN, RN; and Thevy Chai, MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 The archived webinar is found on IAC's newest website: www.Mass-Vaccination-Resources.org. The website features a searchable list of resources for a variety of venues, including curbside, drive-through, and walk-through clinics; mobile medical vans; pharmacies; and schools. The database contains guidance documents, toolkits, publications, and other helpful resources that can be adapted to your community or individual healthcare setting. Many of the documents were written in the pre-pandemic era and will need modification to ensure that additional protections, such as social distancing and personal protective equipment, help safeguard against COVID-19 transmission. If you have a resource to suggest for the website, please send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The webinar and the new website are supported by a medical education grant from Seqirus, Inc. Related Links
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CDC expects influenza activity to increase in coming weeks. Make sure all your patients are vaccinated!
CDC expects flu activity to increase in the coming weeks. Visit the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, for details.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, so please continue to vaccinate all your patients in this age range. If you don’t provide influenza vaccine at your site, please recommend vaccination and refer to a site that does vaccinate.
Boston Children's Hospital, in partnership with CDC, has developed VaccineFinder, a user-friendly website to help adult and pediatric patients find flu and other vaccines. Participating providers can now update supply estimates on VaccineFinder for a more accurate reporting. For questions or more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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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.
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IAC Handouts
IAC updates its screening checklists for contraindications to vaccines, one for children/teens and one for adults IAC recently revised its Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Children and Teens as well as Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Adults. Revisions incorporate information from the ACIP’s 2020–21 influenza vaccine recommendations for vaccination of people with an egg allergy and other medical conditions that constitute a contraindication to LAIV. In addition, the revision of "Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Adults" includes the deletion of all references to live zoster vaccine (Zostavax by Merck) due to the forthcoming expiration of the last lot.   Related Links
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IAC updates “Strategies to Improve Adult Vaccination Coverage” IAC recently revised Strategies to Improve Adult Vaccination Coverage. Revisions incorporate information about the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s “Standards for Adults Immunization Practice.”  Related Links
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Revised! IAC expands “Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs” information sheet to include new federal program for COVID-19 vaccines IAC recently revised its 2-page handout titled Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs. Changes added information about the Public Readiness & Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP) of 2005 that establishes a program for covered countermeasures (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines) for compensating individuals experiencing a physical injury and providing immunity from liability (e.g., vaccinators), similar to the federal program that covers childhood vaccines.  Related Links
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IAC updates hepatitis A and polio Q&A handouts for in-depth understanding of these vaccines
IAC recently revised its 5-page handout titled Hepatitis A: Questions and Answers. Changes incorporate updated information on disease epidemiology, use of immune globulin after exposure, vaccine duration of immunity, and vaccination of pregnant women and other groups needing vaccination, including:
- All unvaccinated children and teens age 2 through 18 years
- People with HIV infection
IAC also revised its 3-page handout titled Polio: Questions and Answers with updated epidemiologic data and minor edits.
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Vaccine Information Statements
IAC posts German translation of the Influenza, Inactivated or Recombinant, Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) IAC recently added the German translation of the Influenza, Inactivated or Recombinant, VIS courtesy of the U.S. military’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany.  Related Links:
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Featured Resources
CDC's new web page features “No One Has Time for the Flu” campaign to reach African American and Hispanic adults CDC's new web page features No One Has Time for the Flu, a national campaign, launched by The American Medical Association (AMA), CDC, CDC Foundation, and the Ad Council. The campaign is a culturally relevant ad campaign designed to reach African American and Hispanic adults. The PSAs highlight the different circumstances many people are experiencing as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that, now, more than ever, no one has time to be sick with flu. The ads will appear in print, TV, radio, social media, out-of-home, and digital formats nationwide.
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In IAC’s “Video of the Week,” CDC answers common questions about the importance of flu vaccination this season This October 2020 video from CDC explains that a strong provider influenza vaccine recommendation is one of the most important factors in people accepting the vaccine. This updated CDC video provides information on the importance of flu vaccination during COVID-19, frequently asked questions about influenza vaccine, storage and handling, administration recommendations, and best practices for the 2020–21 influenza season. Runtime is 22:47.  Visit the VOTW archive. Back to top
Use IAC's expanded “Repository of Resources for Maintaining Immunization during the COVID-19 Pandemic” to catch up patients who fell behind IAC now offers more than 253 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. These resources are intended for healthcare settings, state and local health departments, professional societies, immunization coalitions, advocacy groups, and the community to use in their efforts to sustain routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources can be sorted and searched by date, title, geographic area, source, type, age category, or setting. 
If you have a resource to suggest for the repository, please send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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IAC's bright red "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers will help you keep vaccinating against flu. Order today! IAC “FLU VACCINE” buttons and stickers are flying out of our office by the thousands! More than a half-million stickers already shipped this year! Their bright red color helps broadcast your important message about the need for flu vaccination. And the cost is nominal.  “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. Back to top
IAC's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives" black enamel pins make great gifts for the holidays! IAC’s elegantly designed “Vaccines Save Lives” pins make meaningful gifts for people who care about immunization. The pin makes a refined statement in hard black enamel with gold lettering and edges, measuring 1.125" x 0.75".  The pin is a stick-through-post variety with the back end covered by a round rubber cap that holds pin securely. A gold metal spring-lock clasp is also provided. Wear these pins on clothing, uniforms, lab coats, tote bags, and backpacks to show that you value vaccines!   Click here for "Vaccines Save Lives" pins pricing and ordering information. Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video. Back to top
Journal Articles and Newsletters
CDC publishes October issue of Immunization Works newsletter; subscribe for monthly immunization resources and information CDC recently released the October issue of its monthly newsletter Immunization Works. The newsletter offers the immunization community information about current topics. The information is in the public domain and may be reproduced and circulated widely.  Related Links
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CHOP's Vaccine Education Center publishes October 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 Newsletter. The October issue includes the following articles:
Additional resources, including information booklets for patients, are available in the full newsletter.
Access the sign-up form to subscribe to Vaccine Update Newsletter.
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“Strategies to Reduce Errors Associated with 2-Component Vaccines” published in Pharmaceutical Medicine In the November 5 issue, Pharmaceutical Medicine published Strategies to Reduce Errors Associated with 2-Component Vaccines. A portion of the abstract is reprinted below. The high incidence of error reports received by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involving 2-component vaccines led to collaboration between the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). This collaborating group sought to further understand errors associated with all 2-component vaccines (i.e. vaccine components provided by the manufacturer in physically separate containers) and to provide safe practice strategies for storing, preparing, dispensing, and administering these vaccines as intended....The three vaccines with the most reported reconstitution errors in the VERP and VAERS are Menveo® (meningococcal), Pentacel® (DTaP, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b), and ActHIB® [H. influenzae type b (Hib)]. Manufacturers should design labeling and packaging of vaccines to provide ease of storage and fail-safe preparation to prevent 2-component vaccine errors. Implementing risk reduction strategies, such as training healthcare professionals and affixing storage bin labels, remind healthcare professionals to mix the 2-components and facilitate appropriate administration. Back to top
“Incidence of Influenza during Pregnancy and Association with Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes in Three Middle-Income Countries: A Multisite Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study” published in Lancet In the October 29 issue, Lancet published Incidence of Influenza during Pregnancy and Association with Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes in Three Middle-Income Countries: A Multisite Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study. A portion of the summary is reprinted below. Women had a 0.7–0.9% risk of influenza per month of pregnancy during the influenza season, and antenatal influenza was associated with increased risk for some adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings support the added value of antenatal influenza vaccination to improve perinatal outcomes. Back to top
Education and Training
In Vaccine Education Center’s Current Issues in Vaccines webinar on December 9, Dr. Paul Offit will give update on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will present a 1-hour webinar, beginning at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on December 9. Part of its Current Issues in Vaccines series, the webinar will feature Paul Offit, MD, director of VEC. Dr. Offit's topic for this webinar will be an update on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
On the Lighter Side
Vaccines create a wall of protection around baby in this 1995 PSA featuring the Birmingham Bulls hockey team
In this 30-second PSA, the Birmingham Bulls hockey team demonstrates how well a baby is protected when fully vaccinated. Produced by the Jefferson County (Alabama) Department of Health in 1995, it is part of a PSA collection curated by vaccine expert William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH.  Previous PSAs mentioned in “On the Lighter Side” are available when viewing this Vimeo video. Back to top
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Video of the Week
Influenza Update 2020–21: This flu season, a strong influenza vaccine recommendation is one of the most important factors in people accepting the vaccine. This updated CDC video provides information on the importance of flu vaccination during COVID-19, frequently asked questions about influenza vaccine, storage and handling, administration recommendations, and best practices for the 2020–21 influenza season. [22:47]
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Record cards for patients -- child & teen, adult, and lifetime -- are printed on durable paper and sized to fit in a wallet when folded
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