Pearls Fall 2023
| Dane County Immunization Coalition Updates General Membership Meeting Mark your calendars! Our next general membership meeting will be held on virtually on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 12pm to 1:30pm. The topic will be RSV. Watch your email in the coming weeks for the agenda which will have the Zoom link. Vaccination Event The DCIC worked with local partners to provide vaccine education, childhood immunizations, and a voucher for a free pair of shoes for children who received a vaccination at the “Back 2 School Free Haircutz” event hosted by JP Hair Design. The 15th annual event was held on August 27, 2023 at the Alliant Energy Center and brought together over 30 barbers from across Dane County to provide free haircuts to children entering grades K-12. By the end of the day, 75 children received a total of 155 vaccinations. Thanks to the JP Hair Designs for hosting us, SSM Health Mobile Vaccination Team for bringing and administering the vaccines, and Fleet Feet of Madison for providing gift cards! Immunization Updates Updated COVID Vaccines Available In September 2023, ACIP voted to recommend use of the 2023–2024 (monovalent, XBB-containing) COVID-19 vaccines for all individuals age 6 months and older. Most individuals 5 years of age and older will be considered up to date following a single dose of any age appropriate 2023-2024 formula. For children younger than 5, more than one dose may be needed and it is recommended that they stick with the manufacturer (Pfizer or Moderna) of their previous doses. The American Academy of Pediatrics has color chart showing which age group gets which vaccine here. Beyond Use Dates versus Expiration Dates The Public Health Foundation has partnered with the CDC to create 3 instructional videos to help clinicians differentiate between vaccine expiration dates and vaccine beyond use dates. Proper vaccine storage and handling are critical to ensure communities are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. The mishandling and improper administration of vaccines can result in significant financial losses for clinics due to wasted vaccines. This can also cause decreased patient confidence in vaccines when individuals need to be re-vaccinated. Immunize.org Has Resources on Vaccination-related Fainting and Anxiety If you administer vaccinations, you can improve a recipient’s confidence in vaccines by acknowledging and addressing their anxiety. Anxiety about injections is common at all ages and contributes to vaccine hesitancy in those affected. Among some adolescents and adults, anxiety can trigger dizziness or fainting, risking fall-related injuries. Both the vaccinator and the vaccine recipient can take simple and effective steps to improve the recipient’s vaccination experience. Immunize.org has clinical tools for healthcare professionals and corresponding patient handouts on vaccination-related fainting and anxiety: Vaccination-Related Syncope: Information for Healthcare PersonnelFainting Related to Vaccination: What You Need to Know (for patients and parents) Addressing Vaccination Anxiety in Adolescents and Adults: Strategies for Healthcare Professionals Addressing Vaccination Anxiety in Adolescents and Adults: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers Health Equity Vaccinate Your Family Has Spanish-language PSAs to Raise Awareness of the Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Young Children The Vaccinate Your Family #FirstDayVax Campaign provides back-to-school vaccine reminders as well as information about the safety and benefits of vaccines. will air on Telemundo Colorado and KBNO Radio. The Spanish-language PSAs are intended to raise awareness for the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for kids under five, and highlight the importance of all routine vaccines for kids. Autism Society Promotes Accessible Vaccination In 2023, the Autism Autism Society of America became a proud partner of the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, a nationwide initiative to promote accessible vaccination through education and uptake of primarily COVID-19 and flu vaccines, but also shingles, pneumonia, and other routine vaccinations. The Autism Society’s Accessible Vaccine Clinics create inclusive vaccination environments by: Reducing barriers to vaccine uptake in the autistic population Providing tips on communicating with autism/developmental delay communities and aging populations Sharing effective strategies to reduce pain and anxiety for families during a vaccination visitDisseminating supports such as visual schedules, communication boards, and social stories during vaccination visits Providing practical tips to improve vaccine confidence by employing strategies to reduce stress when vaccinating neurodiverse patientsDistributing free Accessible Vaccine Kits, which include noise-reducing headphones, Shotblocker, stress ball, fidget spinner, sunglasses, and stickersTo learn more and get involved, please visit the Vaccine Education Initiative. In the Media CDC Issues 2024 Edition of CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel CDC’s 2024 edition of CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel is now available in hard copy and online. The CDC Yellow Book provides information for health professionals on pre- and post-travel care for international travelers. It compiles the U.S. government’s most current travel health guidelines, including pretravel vaccine and safety recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts.The 2024 edition of the CDC Yellow Book includes:Precautions for international travelers during the COVID-19 pandemicUpdates on providing travel health and travel medicine in a virtual environmentNew standalone vaccine tables for bacterial and viral diseasesUpdated travel health recommendations for highly allergic, immunocompromised, and chronically ill travelers, travelers with substance-use disorders, and medical touristsCountry-specific mosquito avoidance, yellow fever vaccine, and malaria prevention recommendations Opportunity to View Film A Shot in the ArmPlease join SAFE Communities Coalition and Families for Vaccines for an exclusive free sneak peek at A Shot in the Arm, a new documentary about the dangerous politicization of vaccines and the extremist views that have taken over our national stages.Register here for a free screening, showing online at your convenience from November 12 at midnight to November 15 at midnight.There will also be an expert panel discussing the film on November 14 from 11am to12pm. Panelists include Senator Irene Aguilar MD, Karen Ernst, Ethan Lindenberger, Blima Marcus DNP, and Paul Offit MD. |