Issue 1,543: January 6, 2021
Top Stories
IAC Handouts
Featured Resources
Journal Articles and Newsletters
Education and Training
On the Lighter Side
Top Stories
Happy New Year! Urge your co-workers to subscribe to IAC Express to stay up to date on what’s new with vaccines each week!
Wishing you good health and happiness in 2021! It’s going to be a busy year, so we pledge to bring you even more useful resources in the year ahead!
Encourage your co-workers to subscribe to IAC Express so they get everything that matters to vaccinators in their own inbox.
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CDC updates interim clinical considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
CDC updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States. Because the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are both based on a mRNA platform, the clinical considerations for both vaccines are similar and have been blended on a single web page.
MMWR Recap: CDC publishes recommendations for Moderna’s mRNA vaccine and phased allocation for COVID-19 vaccines on January 1
CDC recently published several articles about specific COVID-19 vaccines, phased allocation, and ethical principles. Here is a recap:
- ACIP recommendations for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (MMWR, January 1, HTML format or PDF format)
- ACIP priorities for allocating subsequent supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, Phases 1b and 1c (MMWR, January 1, HTML format or PDF format)
- ACIP recommendations for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (MMWR, December 18, HTML format or PDF format)
- ACIP priorities for allocating initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, Phase 1a (MMWR, December 11, HTML format or PDF format)
IAC launches new COVID-19 vaccine web page making it easy to find important resources from CDC and others
The large body of COVID-19 vaccine information continues to expand daily, making it challenging for healthcare professionals to stay up to date with the newly released COVID-19 resources for frontline vaccinators. To assist you in finding the key information you need, IAC has launched its new COVID-19 Vaccine web page at www.immunize.org/covid-19.
On this new web page, IAC has assembled links to key COVID-19 vaccine resource pages from CDC, IAC, and other partners. To facilitate easy access to the information, the web page is divided into several important topic areas, including:
- ACIP Recommendations
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Information (main page)
- Information about COVID-19 Vaccine Products
- Vaccine Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers (EUA Vaccines)
- Clinic Resources and Tools (including information on vaccine administration, clinical considerations and special populations, vaccine safety, vaccine storage and handling, training materials for providers, and reimbursement)
- Patient Education Tools
- Vaccine Confidence and Hesitancy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Contacts for COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Policies
The site also facilitates access to COVID-19 vaccine-specific resource pages from medical and public health organizations.
There are three ways to easily locate the new web page:
- Click on the display box in the right column of the IAC homepage
- To link directly to the site, go to www.immunize.org/covid-19
- To link from anywhere on immunize.org, go to the light blue band of tabs across the top, choose the "Vaccines” tab, and then select “COVID-19” from the drop-down menu
The web page will be updated frequently with new links and resources specific to COVID-19 vaccination, so be sure to check back regularly for the most current information.
Related Link
New! Ask the Experts: COVID-19 web page created to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines
IAC recently created its Ask the Experts: COVID-19 web page to answer questions about the administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA and recommended by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in December 2020. This Ask the Experts web page also provides links to CDC web pages for guidance that will likely evolve further during the early months of 2021. The Ask the Experts: COVID-19 web page will grow with more Q&As as additional information becomes available and whenever new vaccines are authorized for use.
IAC’s Ask the Experts gateway page leads you to 29 distinct web pages on a variety of topics comprising a total of more than 1,000 common or challenging questions and answers (Q&As) about vaccines and their administration. IAC wishes to recognize its team of experts: Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH (lead); Carolyn Bridges, MD, FACP; William Atkinson, MD, MPH; and Deborah Wexler, MD.
Related Links
CDC updates web pages featuring practical materials for administration, storage, and handling of each authorized COVID-19 vaccine
CDC has refreshed its gateway pages leading to multiple practical web pages for each of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. From the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination gateway page, viewers can seek information for either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The following resources pertain to both mRNA vaccines:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Scroll down the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine gateway page to find product-specific information plus links to useful PDF documents.
- Administration Overview: how to thaw, prepare, dilute, and administer, plus standing orders and a screening form for contraindications and precautions
- Storage and Handling Overview: summary, beyond-use dating and labels, a delivery checklist, storage and handling labels, expiration date tracking tool, ultra-cold storage logger (Fahrenheit or Celsius), and dry ice safety
- CDC’s Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Scroll down the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine gateway page to find product-specific information plus links to useful PDF documents.
Related Links:
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CDC adds more ready-to-use materials to its COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Medical Centers, Clinics, and Clinicians
CDC has released ready-to-use materials to help build confidence about COVID-19 vaccination. CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Medical Centers, Clinics, and Clinicians includes:
- A guide for building vaccine confidence within health systems, medical offices, and clinics
- Turn-key slide decks for immunization coordinators, the healthcare team, and other healthcare personnel with information about COVID-19 vaccines, tips for building vaccine confidence, and tips for having effective vaccine conversations with patients
- Posters that you can download, print, and hang in your health facility
- Fact sheets and FAQs
- Materials in multiple languages from vaccine manufacturers: Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech
- Social media sample messages
- Printable buttons/stickers for staff to wear once they’ve gotten their vaccine
- A video describing how ACIP makes recommendations and advises CDC on the use of vaccines in our country
 CDC has also recently posted an interactive COVID-19 Data Tracker with maps, charts, and data on case trends, vaccinations, global cases and deaths, and more.  View CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Medical Centers, Clinics, and Clinicians today!
IAC Spotlight! These updated IAC staff and patient educational materials, Ask the Experts Q&As, and VIS translations were released during November and December IAC Express regularly provides readers with information about IAC’s new and updated educational materials for healthcare professionals and handouts for patients. All IAC materials are free to download, print, and distribute. Important web page updates and VIS translations were announced as well. In case you missed them during recent weeks, these helpful materials were announced: Updated Materials for Clinicians
Updated Handouts for Your Patients
New and Updated VIS Translations IAC received donations of VIS translations in:
- Albanian (Influenza – Inactivated and Live, PPSV)
- German (Influenza – Inactivated)
- Hebrew (MMR, Varicella)
- Karen (Influenza – Inactivated and Live)
Updated Ask the Experts Web Pages Twenty-four topics of Ask the Experts were recently updated, including the following:
Related Links
While flu activity remains lower than usual for the 2020–21 season, it is still important to make sure all your patients get vaccinated against influenza While seasonal influenza activity in the U.S. remains lower than usual for this time of year, it is still important to make sure all of your patients age 6 months and older are vaccinated. Flu vaccination can help save medical resources for the care of COVID-19 patients by reducing the burden of flu illness on healthcare systems. If you don’t provide influenza vaccine at your site, please strongly recommend vaccination and refer to a site that does vaccinate.
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:
Related Link
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 Spanish translation of parent handout titled “Top Ten Reasons to Protect Your Child by Vaccinating”
IAC recently updated the Spanish translation of its handout for parents titled Top Ten Reasons to Protect Your Child by Vaccinating. Minor changes were made.
IAC offers many of its handouts for patients and staff in eight different languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Fifty Spanish translations of IAC materials are available for download and print.
Related Links
Featured Resources
In IAC’s “Video of the Week” from Families Fighting Flu, young Caroline urges her grandparents to get their flu vaccine
The website www.Give2MenACWY.org promotes the importance of adolescent vaccination and administering a booster dose of MenACWY vaccine at age 16.
Designed for healthcare professionals, the site incorporates materials and highlights the importance of all recommended vaccines for 16-year-olds. A simplified navigation structure makes locating information a breeze.
The colorful Give2MenACWY.org website is divided into five easy-to-access sections:
- Vaccinate Teens – The tools included on this web page offer helpful information on teen vaccination schedules and tips for improving adolescent vaccination rates
- Give 2 Doses – Just a little over half of teens have received a second dose of MenACWY vaccine; this web page offers tools to help improve second dose coverage
- 16-Year-Old Visit – These resources help both providers and their patients remember the important vaccines recommended for 16-year-olds
- Tools for Providers – These tools from CDC, IAC, and other organizations explain meningococcal ACWY vaccine recommendations and assist in improving coverage for all recommended adolescent vaccines
- Resources – This section offers print materials, links to organizations involved in adolescent vaccination, personal stories about the importance of vaccination, and additional resources of interest
Additional time savings are provided by the site’s single location where all website materials are listed according to whether they are primarily of interest to providers or to patients/parents. Other sections relate to general adolescent immunization, as well as meningococcal disease and vaccine information.
Visit Give2MenACWY.org and enjoy browsing (and deploying) its bountiful resources, brought to you by IAC's collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur.
Related Links
Journal Articles and Newsletters
CDC publishes December issue of Immunization Works newsletter; subscribe for monthly immunization information
CDC recently released the December 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
Education and Training
CDC launches three web-on-demand CE modules for healthcare providers who will administer COVID-19 vaccines
CDC recently launched three new web-on-demand, self-paced continuing education modules for healthcare providers who will administer COVID-19 vaccines. A description of each module is provided below.
Continuing education credit is available for a variety of healthcare professionals by viewing a module and completing an evaluation. Related Link
In this adorable 2006 PSA from Every Child by Two, former first lady Rosalynn Carter reminds parents of the advantages of having their children participate in an immunization registry In this 2006 public service announcement (PSA) from Every Child by Two, former first lady Rosalynn Carter is joined by several adorable children to remind parents of the advantages of having their children participate in an immunization registry. This PSA is part of a collection curated by vaccine expert William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH.
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Video of the Week
 Caroline Urges Grandparents to Get Their Flu Vaccine: In this Families Fighting Flu video, Caroline tearfully recalls what she experienced when she became very sick and hospitalized with influenza. She encourages all grandparents and their families to get vaccinated against flu every year for their own health and their families' health. [1:50]
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Technically Speaking
 Read Dr. Wexler's column for the Vaccine Education Center's monthly newsletter, Vaccine Update
Vaccinating Adults:
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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
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