SPECIAL SUMMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
2017 NAIIS In-Person Meeting Scheduled for May 9–11
Please mark your calendars! The 2017 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit in-person meeting will be held May 9–11, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Note: Partners needing to obtain the password to access the registration site may contact info@izsummitpartners.org.)
Partners are encouraged to make hotel reservations by following the link that appears after registration. It is important that rooms are booked through the provided link for the Summit to get credit for the booking. Federal employees should contact LaDora Woods to secure the federal rate.
Awards: The Summit is soliciting candidates for the 2017 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards. The 2017 awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions towards improving vaccination rates within their communities during 2016. The deadline for nominations is February 24, 2017.
Posters: Please consider submitting a poster to highlight your work or activities to improve adult and influenza immunization. Two poster viewing sessions are scheduled during the in-person meeting. Visit the Summit website for abstract submission information. The deadline is March 15, 2017.
Summit Call Recap – January 26, 2017
Summit Call Recap – January 19, 2017
Summit Call Recap – January 12, 2017
Information from CDC
Announcements
- Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Update
- ESWI 6th Conference on Influenza
- Introducing the Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI)
SUMMIT CALL RECAP – January 26, 2017
INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE UPDATE – NOREEN ALABI (CDC)
Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 2, ending on January 14, 2017. Influenza activity in the U.S. continues to increase. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories increased to 15.3%. Influenza A viruses were most common during week 2, with H3 viruses predominating.
Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 3.3%, above the national baseline of 2.2% for the week. Two pediatric deaths were reported from Nevada and Florida during Week 2. One death occurred during week 49 and was associated with an influenza A virus that was not subtyped. The second death occurred during week 1, and no virus typing was performed. Neither of these two cases had been vaccinated against influenza. A total of five pediatric deaths have been reported for the current (2016–2017) season.
Between October 1, 2016 and January 14, 2017, 2,864 lab-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations have been reported. The overall hospitalization rate was 10.2 per 100,000, while the rate for those age 65 years or older was 47.3%. For the overall hospitalizations, 98% were positive for influenza A; of these, 98.9% were influenza A (H3).
Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available on January 19 (for week 52 ending December 31), 7.0% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This remains below the epidemic threshold of 7.7% for the week.
In response to a question, Noreen noted that CDC is not seeing a pattern related to locations from which influenza reports are being received. However, in general, it appears that influenza may be most heavily impacting the Northwest and Southeast regions.
L.J asked about the availability of a single location to access each individual state’s influenza information. Noreen pointed out that state-by-state links are available at the bottom of the Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report or by clicking on a specific state in the interactive version of the ILI Activity Level Indicator map.
L.J reminded partners that the Influenza Vaccine Activity Tracking System (IVATS) offers an up-to-date summary of influenza vaccine availability from various manufacturers and distributors. This information can be especially helpful to providers wising to order additional vaccine.
Other Items – L.J Tan (IAC)
- The 2017 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit is scheduled for May 9–11, 2017 in Atlanta, GA.
- Meeting registration (Note: Partners needing to obtain the password to access this site may contact info@izsummitpartners.org.)
- 2017 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards – These Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions toward improving vaccination rates within their communities during 2016. Six categories of recognition are available; a NEW category for 2017 recognizes a Non-Healthcare Employer Campaign. (DEADLINE: February 24, 2017)
- Poster Abstract Submission – Partners are invited to submit abstracts of posters they wish to display at the annual meeting. Posters allow partners to share their work or activities to improve adult and influenza immunization and to network with other attendees. (Note: Submission of a poster abstract does not impact a recipient’s ability to submit a nomination for an Immunization Excellence Award.) (DEADLINE: March 15, 2017)
- Carolyn Bridges noted that the Recommended Adult Vaccination Schedule will be posted on the CDC website during the first full week in February.
SUMMIT CALL RECAP – January 19, 2017
Influenza Surveillance Update – Noreen Alabi (CDC)
Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 1, ending on January 7, 2017. Influenza activity in the U.S. continues to increase. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories increased to 13.9%. Influenza A viruses were most common during week 1, with H3 viruses predominating.
Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 3.2%, above the national baseline of 2.2% for the week. Three pediatric deaths have been reported for the current (2016–2017) season. Two deaths were reported in Week 51, with one death associated with an influenza A(H3) and one with influenza B. The third pediatric death, which was reported during Week 52, was associated with an influenza A virus which was not subtyped.
Between October 1, 2016 and January 7, 2017, 1,992 lab-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations have been reported. The overall hospitalization rate was 7.1 per 100,000. Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available on January 12 (for week 51 ending December 24), 6.2% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This remains below the epidemic threshold of 7.2% for the week.
2017 Immunization Schedules Release – Richard Quartarone (CDC)
Richard provided a general overview of CDC’s plans for the release of the 2017 recommended immunization schedules for birth through 18 years, catch-up, and adults. The adult schedule will first be available in the Annals of Internal Medicine on February 6 at 5 p.m. ET. The following day, at 1 p.m. ET, all three recommended schedules (i.e., birth through 18 years, catch-up, and adult) will be announced in the MMWR, with a simultaneous posting on CDC’s website. The Easy-to-Read versions of the schedules will be posted at the same time. Print versions will be officially available after an announcement in the weekly MMWR on February 9.
Several ancillary materials will be available within the next few weeks after the official announcement, including updates to CDC’s child and adult immunization quizzes. Within the next few weeks, updates will be made to the schedule apps for iPhone and Android users.
CDC will share announcements about the schedule release with immunization awardees. General media outreach will be somewhat limited because most news outlets covered changes to individual vaccine recommendations at the time of earlier ACIP votes. CDC does plan to share talking points with partners to use in newsletters or other outreach to their members. L.J asked whether CDC will point out formatting changes such as the addition of the gray bar highlighting the importance of an immunization visit at age 16. Richard noted that he appreciated the input and that he will work on including this concept in messages to partners.
Carolyn reminded partners that CDC offers “content syndication” for immunization schedules (as well as other materials) which allows partner websites to redirect a user directly to CDC information when the user clicks on a link. This eliminates the need for the partner website to update links when any changes are made. Persons interested in receiving additional information about this service may contact Carolyn Bridges.
Other Items – L.J Tan (IAC)
- The 2017 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit is scheduled for May 9–11, 2017 in Atlanta, GA.
- Meeting registration (Note: Partners needing to obtain the password to access this site may contact info@izsummitpartners.org.)
- 2017 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards – These Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions toward improving vaccination rates within their communities during 2016. Six categories of recognition are available; a NEW category for 2017 recognizes a Non-Healthcare Employer Campaign. (DEADLINE: February 24, 2017)
- Poster Abstract Submission – Partners are invited to submit abstracts of posters they wish to display at the annual meeting. Posters allow partners to share their work or activities to improve adult and influenza immunization and to network with other attendees. (Note: Submission of a poster abstract does not impact a recipient’s ability to submit a nomination for an Immunization Excellence Award.) (DEADLINE: March 15, 2017)
SUMMIT CALL RECAP – January 12, 2017
Influenza Surveillance Update – Noreen Alabi (CDC)
Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 52, ending on December 31, 2016. Influenza activity in the U.S. has increased significantly. Clinical lab percent positives have jumped considerably, with 13.7% of specimens submitted found to be positive. Influenza A viruses were most common during week 52, with H3 viruses predominating.
Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 3.4%, above the national baseline of 2.2% for the week. No pediatric deaths have been reported for the current (2016–2017) season.
From October 1 through December 31, 2016, 1,376 lab-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations have been reported. The overall hospitalization rate was 4.9 per 100,000. Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available on December 28 (for week 50 ending December 17), 6.3% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This remains below the epidemic threshold of 7.1% for the week.
A Summit partner asked whether CDC was seeing any trends when reviewing the map indicating the geographic spread of influenza as assessed by state and territorial epidemiologists. Noreen noted that these state-by-state reports were subject to interpretation; for example, “local” could mean activity was occurring in one geographic region of the state, but it also could be used to report activity in school settings. Noreen pointed out that users can view the changing levels of reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) by looking at the FluView Interactive site and using the scroll bar to see changes from previous weeks. In addition, users can click on an individual state on the map and be connected directly with the website of a selected state.
Announcements
- The 2017 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit is scheduled for May 9–11, 2017 in Atlanta, GA. Beginning January 13, information will be posted on this website about registering for the meeting and/or submitting an abstract to present a poster at the meeting. The site also will contain information about nominating an individual/organization for a 2017 Immunization Excellence Award. In addition to the Award categories from previous years, this year’s Awards include a new category for Non-Healthcare Employer Campaign.
INFORMATION FROM CDC
CDC Influenza Division Releases Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports
CDC’s FluView report for Week 3 (ending January 21) and the influenza talking points from January 27, 2017 are now available online.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Update
Annual epidemics of H7N9 infections in people in China have occurred each winter since 2013, when this virus first emerged to infect people. China is currently experiencing its fifth epidemic of H7N9 human infections. One hundred and twenty (120) cases have been reported since September 1, 2016. Most human infections with H7N9 occur after exposure to poultry; H7N9 circulates in poultry in China.
CDC is following the H7N9 situation closely and coordinating with domestic and international partners. On January 25, 2017, CDC updated and issued an H7N9 travel notice in anticipation of increased travel to and from China during the Chinese Lunar New Year (January 28, 2017). This was a “Watch Level – 1 Practice Usual Precautions” travel notice. The CDC avian Influenza A (H7N9) web content also has been updated. CDC has had H7N9 guidance for to clinicians and public health authorities in the United States available since 2013..
ESWI 6th Conference on Influenza
The European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI) is organizing the sixth edition of its ESWI Influenza Conference in Riga, Latvia, on September 10 – 13, 2017. Over the past years, the ESWI Influenza Conferences have grown into the largest European scientific conferences entirely dedicated to influenza. As with its previous meeting, there will be a parallel science policy track.
Introducing the Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI)
The Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI) is an effort led by the Center for Vaccine Equity at the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This partnership provides seasonal influenza vaccines and technical assistance to help low- and middle-income countries develop sustainable national seasonal influenza vaccination programs, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality from influenza and enhancing pandemic preparedness. For more information about PIVI, please contact Joe Bresee or Samantha Kluglein.
REMINDER
Summit calls are scheduled every Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern time, unless cancelled. Please email L.J Tan or LaDora Woods if you have any updates on activities to provide to the Summit.
