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July 5, 2017

Taryn Chapman 2017 Buzz, Uncategorized

Summit Announcements
Other Announcements
Information from CDC
Other News of Interest
SUMMIT CALL RECAP – JUNE 29, 2017

SUMMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help Define the 2017-2018 Summit Priorities and 2018 In-Person Meeting

Please help us define the Summit priorities for 2017–2018 and shape the 2018 Summit in-person meeting!

Once again, thanks to all of you for your avid participation in the working groups and at the in-person Summit meeting in May. We have looked at all the evaluations and comments and have developed a short survey for you all to complete to help prioritize action items for this 2017–2018 year. Additionally, you will find a question regarding the 2018 in-person Summit meeting. Thank you for taking time out to complete this survey. It should take no more than 10 minutes of your time.

Summit’s NEW Coding and Billing Resource Is Live

At this one web location, you will find the top questions identified by the Access and Provider Workgroup on coding and/or billing for adult vaccinations, scenarios that detail how to go about coding and billing for adult vaccines, and collected resources on this topic from the Summit’s medical association, public health, and vaccine manufacturing partners.

Summit Releases Factsheet on How to Use Immunization Activities to Obtain Points for the MIPS/MACRA Quality Payment Program

Visit the Summit website to view this MIPS Factsheet, which provides concise information related to how providers can utilize immunization activities to obtain points for the MIPS/MACRA Quality Payment Program.

Don’t Forget! Great Tools Are Available to Assist Satellite, Temporary, and Off-Site Vaccination Clinics

Satellite, temporary, and off-site vaccination clinics play an important role in improving vaccination coverage rates and vaccinating hard-to-reach populations. These helpful tools were developed to help these clinics meet the unique challenges presented when providing services in these settings.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

NFID ACIP Update Webinar on July 13, 2017

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will be sponsoring a free webinar (offering CME, CNE, and CPE) regarding June 2017 ACIP Updates on July 13, 2017 at 12 pm ET. On the webinar William Schaffner, MD, NFID Medical Director, will be joined by Amanda Cohn, MD, MPH, ACIP Executive Secretary. All are welcome to attend, but pre-registration is required.

CPE Activity – ACIP Recommendations for Adult Pneumococcal Immunization: Helping Pharmacists Assess, Recommend, Administer or Refer

Join other pharmacists for CPE-accredited clinical commentary activities where our expert pharmacist faculty discuss targeted vaccination rates, identifying at-risk adults 65 years and older, herd immunity, ACIP recommendations, and strategies for counseling patients. We also share “effective” and “not so effective” examples of a pharmacist and patient interaction while discussing vaccine recommendations.

We also invite you to join pharmacist Dr. Michael Hogue in an exciting (non-accredited) TED-style talk as he asks for your help in an important effort to protect your patients and customers.

6th ESWI Influenza Conference – Late Breaking Abstracts Deadline is August 15, 2017

Every three years the Summit’s partner, the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI), organizes one of the largest conferences on influenza. With acknowledgment of the U.S. Summit’s work on policy, the group has also introduced a scientific policy track to their meeting.

Late breaker abstracts for posters and presentations will be accepted until August 15. 2017. If your abstract is ready for submission, simply head to its registration page and submit your abstract. If you’re uncertain on how to submit, click here for instructions.

The Vaccine Handbook (“The Purple Book”) Announces Free Apple App

A comprehensive update of The Vaccine Handbook App is now available from the Immunization Action Coalition. The free app, which is available for Apple iPhones and iPads only, contains the new 2017 (6th) edition of The Vaccine Handbook (“The Purple Book”), by Dr. Gary Marshall, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville. The app is fully searchable, with functionality that includes bookmarking, highlighting, user annotation and links to important vaccination resources.

The Purple Book is a comprehensive source of vaccine information, drawing together vaccine science, guidance, and practice into a user-friendly resource for the private office, public health clinic, academic medical center, classroom, and hospital. The first section provides background on vaccine immunology, development, infrastructure, policy, standards, implementation, special circumstances, and—perhaps most importantly—addressing concerns. The second section contains details about every vaccine currently licensed in the U.S., including the burden and epidemiology of the respective disease, history of the immunization program, vaccine constituents, efficacy, safety, and recommendations.

The free App may be found online or by searching the iTunes App Store for “The Vaccine Handbook App.” Print copies of the book ($34.95 each; bulk discounts are available from the publisher) can be ordered from the Immunization Action Coalition website.

UNC Releases New Website – HPVIQ – To Improve HPV Vaccination of Adolescents

Based on years of work in HPV vaccine quality improvement, Noel Brewer’s team at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill has developed and launched a new website called HPVIQ. The site is designed for public health professionals and primary care providers who want to increase and improve the delivery of the HPV vaccine to adolescents.

The site provides two types of evidence-based tools and strategies:

  1. Quality Improvement – HPVIQ walks you through the steps required to deliver Assessment and Feedback quality improvement sessions to primary care providers and other clinic staff. HPVIQ also provides tools you can use to help providers set quality improvement goals, make and execute a plan to achieve those goals, and evaluate the impact of your efforts. Our Assessment and Feedback tools complement the CDC’s national AFIX program for vaccine quality improvement.
  2. Communication Training – HPVIQ provides tools and resources that you can use to plan and deliver a one-hour training to primary care providers on how to make a strong recommendation for HPV vaccination to adolescent patients and their parents.

The HPVIQ team hopes that you will explore the HPVIQ website and use the information and tools provided. Please also share the site with others who are interested and committed to HPV vaccine quality improvement.

If you have any questions about the HPVIQ website, please feel free to contact Jennifer MacKinnon or Melissa Gilkey.

NFID Flu Awareness Night at the Washington Nationals – September 15, 2017

Mark your calendars and plan to join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the Washington Nationals for a special evening of baseball and flu awareness at the 6th Annual Flu Season Awareness Night on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 7:05 PM against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Special discounted tickets in the Outfield Reserved section (field level) are available, and a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to NFID to help support the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including influenza.

Planned activities at the game include the following:

  • NFID public service announcement, “Freddie the Flu Detective” featured on the Jumbotron prior to the start of the game
  • Scoreboard welcome message

Special guest appearance by the Flu Bugs.

INFORMATION FROM CDC

CDC/Influenza Division Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report

The May 14–20, 2017 FluView was the final full influenza surveillance report for the 2016–2017 U.S. flu season. Influenza surveillance in the U.S. will continue through the summer months with condensed reports available at FluView. FluView Interactive also will be updated each Friday over the summer months. The final seasonal influenza key points from CDC also are available.

CDC NetConferences on Adult Immunizations

CDC is presenting a NetConference series on Vaccinating Adults, addressing key issues related to protecting adults from vaccine-preventable diseases. This collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention and state immunization program will feature six presentations by experts in promoting, administering, and securing reimbursement for adult immunizations.

Updated CDC information on H7N9 Outbreak in /China

A web spotlight, H7N9 in China, Update, and key points on the outbreak are now available from CDC.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Eculizumab Patients at High Risk for Meningococcal Disease Despite Vaccination

An “Early Release” report in the July 7, 2017 MMWR, High Risk for Invasive Meningococcal Disease Among Patients Receiving Eculizumab (Soliris) Despite Receipt of Meningococcal Vaccine, suggests that patients receiving eculizumab (Soliris®) are at high risk for meningococcal disease despite vaccination.

Healthcare providers:

  • Could consider antimicrobial prophylaxis for the duration of eculizumab therapy to potentially reduce the risk of meningococcal disease
  • Should continue immunizing patients with meningococcal vaccines who receive eculizumab
  • Should maintain a high index of suspicion for meningococcal disease in patients taking eculizumab who present with any symptoms consistent with either meningitis or meningococcemia, even if the patient’s symptoms initially appear mild, and irrespective of the patient’s meningococcal vaccine or antimicrobial prophylaxis status

Eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor, is most commonly prescribed for treatment of two rare blood disorders: atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). It is associated with a 1000 to 2000 fold increased incidence of meningococcal disease. Sixteen cases of meningococcal disease in eculizumab recipients were identified in the United States from 2008 through 2016; eleven (69%) were caused by nongroupable Neisseria meningitidis. Nongroupable N. meningitidis typically does not cause invasive meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine targets serogroups A, C, W, and Y, and provides no protection against nongroupable N. meningitidis. Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines are licensed specifically for protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease. Researchers have not assessed the extent of any potential cross protection for nongroupable N. meningitidis strains.

Please distribute this information throughout your organization to help reach appropriate providers.

Update: MMWR Publication on Influenza Activity in the United States During the 2016–17 Season and Composition of the 2017–18 Influenza Vaccine

During the 2016–17 influenza season, influenza activity remained low through November 2016, increased during December, and peaked in February. During October 2, 2016–May 20, 2017, influenza A(H3N2) viruses were identified most frequently, but influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B viruses were also reported. Data collected from November 28, 2016 to April 14, 2017, indicate that influenza vaccination this season reduced the overall risk for influenza-associated medical visits by 42% (95% CI = 35%–48%). The composition of the 2017–18 influenza vaccine has been updated to better match circulating influenza viruses. Additional information may be found in the MMWR article and the accompanying CDC talking points.

New Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) Website and Ways to Report to VAERS

CDC and FDA are pleased to announce VAERS 2.0. VAERS 2.0 includes a new reporting form and a new website that allows you to:

  • Easily submit a VAERS report electronically
  • Access VAERS data
  • Learn more about how CDC and FDA monitor the safety of vaccines

There are now two ways to report an adverse event following vaccination to VAERS:

  1. Use the online reporting tool
  2. Complete a writable VAERS PDF form and upload it onto the new VAERS website
    Coming Soon: VAERS 2.0 video

By the end of 2017, CDC and FDA will phase out the old VAERS-1 paper form and fully transition to the new VAERS 2.0 electronic submission process. Accommodations will be made for persons unable to submit reports electronically. Additional assistance is available via email or by phone at 1-800-822-7967.

Information On The Prevention and Public Health Fund

A state-by-state guide on the impact of the loss of the PPHF on each state has been published by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee. Stay tuned for more information.

Seqirus First to Reach Large-Scale Manufacture of Cell-Based Influenza Vaccines

Seqirus, the maker of influenza vaccines, said it has achieved an industry first by producing a cell-based influenza vaccine on a commercial scale using a virus that has been grown in cells versus the traditional method of using chicken eggs.

DHHS Pandemic Influenza Plan Updated

The updated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan is now available online.

Three Mutations Could Help Bird Flu Spread Among Humans

Scientists have identified 3 mutations that, if they occurred at the same time, could allow the avian influenza strain H7N9 to spread among humans. Robert P. de Vries, PhD, from Utrecht University, The Netherlands, and Wenjie Peng, PhD, from The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, and colleagues published the results of their study online recently in PLOS Pathogens. A summary article also is available.

The researchers analyzed mutations in the H7N9 virus, focusing on a gene that codes for one HA protein known as H7. They investigated changes that would alter the amino acid structure of H7 HA, allowing it to switch to recognize receptors in the human airway.   The researchers found that three specific amino acid mutations in H7 HA allowed the virus to more easily bind to human airway cells in the laboratory. These subtle changes in the protein’s structure thus produced virus strains that switched their target from bird cells to human cells.   As to whether the virus could potentially make this switch in nature, Professor Paulson emphasized that he “took comfort in the fact that the switch required 3 amino acids.”

Early Flu Outbreak Could Signal the Worst Season on Record in Australia

The worst flu season in recent memory has arrived early in Australia after a record number of influenza cases were diagnosed across the country. Half-year figures published in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria show flu cases have risen to unprecedented levels, with up to a 70 per cent increase in sufferers this year compared to last. However, according to health experts, while an influenza spike in winter is “routine,” the worst could be still to come.

Traditional Flu Vaccine Needle May Soon Be Replaced by A Prickly, Band-Aid Like Patch

Many Americans avoid the flu shot for a number of different reasons. Some believe they’re healthy enough, so they think they don’t need it and others just don’t like needles. For those who fall in the latter category, you’ll be pleased to know that there may soon be a less painful alternative. The new option is a patch, which looks like a small, prickly Band-Aid, and doesn’t involve the often-dreaded needle used during the traditional flu vaccine. In a clinical trial on humans, researchers found the patch was as effective as the needle in protecting against the seasonal influenza.

Could Flu During Pregnancy Raise Risk for Autism?

Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found no evidence that laboratory-diagnosis alone of maternal influenza during pregnancy is associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. They did, however, find a trend toward risk in mothers with a laboratory diagnosis of influenza and self-reported symptoms of severe illness. This trend did not achieve statistical significance. An additional story about this study is available.

Three Slide Decks Available to Support New Standards for Adult Immunization Practice

The Summit’s Access and Collaboration workgroup has developed three separate slide decks with talking notes to support partners and others who wish to present on the Standards to their peers and colleagues. The three audiences targeted by the decks are: healthcare providers; patients/public; and public health. These are now available, along with tips and tools on how to use them, at the Summit website.

Also do not forget that Medscape has produced two modules to support the implementation of the Standards:

Every Child By Two (ECBT) Compiles Media Information on Its Website

On a daily basis, ECBT assembles significant news media coverage on immunizations in their “Daily Clips.” Summit partners may find this effort useful.

Summit Website Offers Wonderful Resources on Influenza Vaccination

Remember to visit the Summit website for the latest on influenza immunization resources. You also can find archived copies of The Summit Buzz there.

SUMMIT CALL RECAP – JUNE 29, 2017

Influenza Surveillance Update – Noreen Alabi (CDC)

Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 24, ending on June 3, 2017.

Influenza activity in the U.S. has is relatively low. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories was 3.9%. Influenza B viruses were most common during week 24. Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 0.8%, below the national baseline of 2.2%.

Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during week 24. One death was associated with an influenza B virus and occurred during week 21. The other pediatric death during week 24 was from a virus type which was undetermined. A total of 101 pediatric deaths have occurred during the 2016–2017 season.

Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available on June 22, 5.6% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 6.5% for the week.

Noreen reminded Summit partners that the surveillance report in the summer is abbreviated. Additional details are available on CDC’s FluView Interactive webpage.

June 2017 ACIP Meeting Summary – JoEllen Wolicki (CDC)

JoEllen presented highlights from the ACIP meeting held in Atlanta on June 21–22.

Topics discussed at the meeting included hepatitis A, varicella, anthrax, mumps, dengue virus, and meningococcal vaccines. The committee also heard reports on mumps disease and vaccine, the vaccine supply. In the interest of time, JoEllen limited her report to influenza and herpes zoster vaccines, as well as providing brief information on the new VAERS reporting form. She also reminded partners that ACIP meetings can be watched via live webcast.

ACIP approved the 2017–2018 influenza vaccine recommendations at the June meeting. Highlights include:

  • The committee reiterated the core recommendation that annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons >6 months of age without contraindications;
  • LAIV4 continues to not be recommended for use in the upcoming season;
  • Afluria (IIV3) can be administered to persons >5 years of age;
  • Flublok vaccine may be administered to pregnant women.

The group also approved the vaccine composition for the 2017–2018 season. New product/licensure changes were approved for Flulaval Quadrivalent (IIV4) for persons >6 months of age and for Afluria Quadrivalent (IIV4) and Flubloc Quadrivalent (RIV4) for persons >18 years of age.

GSK has submitted a new zoster vaccine, Shingrix, for FDA approval. This inactivated vaccine is administered in a 2-dose regimen. ACIP will review the vaccine after it has been approved.

A new VAERS 2.0 regimen will go into effect on June 30. The system will consist of a new VAERS form and an updated process for submitting reports. Additional information is available on the VAERS website.

JoEllen concluded her report with a discussion of the many clinical resources available from CDC, including competency-based education for staff. CDC offers multiple immunization courses, “You Call the Shots” self-study modules, and net conferences. A new vaccine administration program has been added to e-Learn. This can serve as a useful introductory course or as a great refresher on vaccine administration. The next Current Issues in Immunization net conference will be held on September 13. CDC is in the midst of presenting the annual Pink Book course.

2017 National Immunization Awareness Month – Ashley Brooks (CDC)

Ashley provided an update on the 2017 National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance held in August and sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) to highlight the importance of vaccines for people of all ages. This year, there will be several activities to promote immunization during NIAM, including digital ads and social media messages.

Each week of the four-week event will be dedicated to a different stage of the life span. Suggested themes for each week are shown below:

  • July/August – Back to School: Ready for school? Make sure those vaccine records are up to date!
  • July 31–August 6 – Babies and Young Children: A healthy start begins with on-time vaccinations
  • August 7–13 – Pregnant Women: Protect yourself and pass protection on to your baby
  • August 14–20 – Adults: Vaccines are not just for kids
  • August 21–27 – Preteens/Teens: Ensure a healthy future with vaccines

To assist partners in promoting NIAM, the NPHIC website includes multiple resources, including a toolkit which can be downloaded in full, or sections highlighting different age groups can be downloaded separately. The site also contains downloadable logos and banners, as well as other social media tools.

Ashley noted that this year’s NIAM focus will be on healthcare providers and the important role they play in increasing immunization rates. In response to a question, Ashley noted that the emphasis will be physicians, on physicians, but also includes nurses and other staff who come into contact with patients. CDC hopes to develop “lessons learned” from the provider audience while still maintaining the popular consumer resources mentioned above.

Partners are encouraged to share these materials their peers and to embed appropriate materials on their websites. Content syndication is available to ease the administrative aspects of keeping this information up to date. Ashley also encouraged partners to use #NIAM17 throughout the month.

For more information on the observance, visit NPHIC’s NIAM website and the CDC NIAM web page.

Other Items – L.J Tan (IAC)
  • NFID Webinar – The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will be sponsoring a free webinar (offering CME, CNE, and CPE) regarding June 2017 ACIP Updates on July 13, 2017 at 12 pm ET. On the webinar William Schaffner, MD, NFID Medical Director, will be joined by Amanda Cohn, MD, MPH, ACIP Executive Secretary. All are welcome to attend, but pre-registration is required.
  • RIV4 Publication – A participant mentioned that an article on RIV, Efficacy of Recombinant Influenza Vaccine in Adults 50 Years of Age or Older, has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Please refer to the publication for full details of the study.

Reminder

Summit calls are scheduled every Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern time, unless cancelled. The call for July 6 has been cancelled. Please email L.J Tan or LaDora Woods if you have any updates on activities to provide to the Summit.

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