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September 19, 2017

Taryn Chapman 2017 Buzz, Uncategorized

Summit Announcements
Other Announcements
Other News Of Interest
Summit Call Recap – September 7, 2017
Summit Call Recap – September 14, 2017

SUMMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summit-sponsored Webinar on Improving Prevention and Adult Immunization within Healthcare Systems Archived and Available

The industry shift to value-based reimbursement models has underscored the importance of immunizations as a cost-effective preventive care strategy that can improve health outcomes for vulnerable patients.

Although vaccinations are integral to promoting patient wellness, hospitals face several obstacles when implementing adult immunization initiatives. Challenges include shifting away from the historic fee-for-service model, changing physician attitudes toward recommending vaccines and overcoming a lack of education about the importance of prevention medicine in adults.

In an August 31 webinar sponsored by the Immunization Action Coalition and the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit and hosted by Becker’s Hospital Review, John Bulger, DO, CMO for population health at Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger and CMO of Geisinger Health Plan; Scott Nygaard, MD, CMO and chief clinical integration officer of Fort Myer, Fla.-based Lee Health; and Jeffrey Silvers, MD, medical director of quality, infection control and pharmacy at Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health, discussed the  importance of preventive care, challenges of implementing adult immunization initiatives and how to overcome some of these hurdles. An executive summary of the webinar is available online.

AMGA- and Summit-sponsored White Paper on Lowering Burden of Adult Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Healthcare Systems Available

The Summit’s work with healthcare systems has resulted in a white paper based on a AMGA- and Summit-sponsored meeting of healthcare systems to work on lowering the burden of adult disease through vaccination.

The white paper, titled Lowering the Burden of Adult Disease, One Shot at a Time, was published in Becker’s Hospital Review and examines barriers hospitals and health systems face when trying to increase adult immunization rates, as well as opportunities for advancements, such as data transparency and immunization measures.

Summit’s Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) Is Live for the 2017–2018 Season

IVATS is a resource for healthcare settings wishing to purchase influenza vaccine. The system contains information from approved, enrolled, and participating wholesale vaccine distributors or manufacturers of U.S. licensed influenza vaccine. Ongoing updates are made throughout the influenza season.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

You Call the Shots – Ensure Safe Vaccination Practices

As the 2017 influenza season begins, it is important to remember that you call the shots when it comes to safe vaccination. To promote safe vaccination, CDC is launching a campaign to educate and remind providers about proper influenza (flu) vaccine administration technique to help avoid shoulder injuries and other adverse events. It is imperative that health care personnel always follow safe injection practices, so CDC hopes you will help them spread this message and share the materials shown below with your members and the health care community:

The materials include links to comprehensive vaccine administration information and a short video on the correct technique for intramuscular injection, as well as a link to the CDC’s new vaccine administration e-Learn.

Shoulder injuries like bursitis and tendinitis resulting from improper injection technique are errors that can easily be avoided. Preliminary data from both the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) indicate reports of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) have increased in the last several years. These reports occur more commonly among adults than children.

Getting an annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. CDC’s influenza website offers a variety of free educational materials on the importance of flu vaccination, aimed at both health care providers and the general public.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact CDC at NIPinfo.

Join the National Vaccine Program Office’s Webinar on Aging & the Immune System – September 26

The immune system changes with age—which can leave older adults more vulnerable to infectious diseases like flu, pneumonia, and shingles. On Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 12pm-1pm ET, join experts for Aging & the Immune System: Rethinking Vaccines for Older Adults. The program is designed to help participants learn more about the changing immune system and how new research is improving the design of vaccines for older adults. Free continuing education is available for this one-hour event.

Here are some social media messages that you can use to help us promote this webinar. Remember, influenza vaccination rates in those over 65 years of age are trending downwards, so this is an important learning opportunity!

Sample Tweets

  • How does the immune system change with age? What are we learning from new vaccines? Join the 9/26 webinar http://bit.ly/2w2qXfc
  • Join experts from @CDCgov, @HHSvaccines, @BrownUniversity, & @Yale to discuss vaccines for older adults: http://bit.ly/2w2qXfc
  • Sept. 26 #webinar–Aging & the Immune System: Rethinking Vaccines for Older Adults http://bit.ly/2w2qXfc

Don’t Forget! Tools 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.

Free Registrations Available for GSA’s ICAMP Programs in Chicago, New York, and San Antonio

Need to improve scores on your quality measures?

Learn how with a half-day training from The Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Immunization Champions, Advocates, and Mentors Program (ICAMP). Healthcare providers including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are invited to join us at the sites shown below:

CHICAGO – October 10, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Learn how to efficiently implement the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. Past participants have won national and local awards for the work they have done improving adult immunization rates. Faculty include highly respected geriatrician David Canaday, MD, and nurse Barbara Resnick. Time is spent formulating an action plan and learning from colleagues. The registration fee (a $175 value) will be waived for the first 25 participants.

NEW YORK – November 2, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Learn how to efficiently implement the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. Past participants have won national and local awards for the work they have done improving adult immunization rates. Faculty include highly respected geriatrician Stefan Gravenstein, MD, MPH, and nurse Barbara Resnick. Time is spent formulating an action plan and learning from colleagues. The registration fee (a $175 value) will be waived for the first 25 participants.

SAN ANTONIO – November 13, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Learn how to efficiently implement the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. Past participants have won national and local awards for the work they have done improving adult immunization rates. Faculty include highly respected geriatrician David Canaday, MD. Time is spent formulating an action plan and learning from colleagues. The registration fee (a $175 value) will be waived for the first 25 participants.

Join NFID to Fight Flu at Their “Hitting the Flu out of the Ballpark” Event

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that occurs most often in late fall, winter, and early spring in the US. It is a serious infection that infects millions of people in the US each year. Of those, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands die of flu and flu-related complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual vaccination for all individuals age 6 months and older.

As part of an annual campaign to increase flu awareness and prevention, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) kicked off its 2017-2018 flu season awareness activities on Friday, September 15, 2017 with the 6th Annual Flu Awareness Night at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.

NFID is committed to increasing public awareness of the importance of annual influenza vaccination. In recognition of its accomplishments, NFID was presented with a Spirit Award on the field during the pregame ceremonies. And although the Washington Nationals lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NFID Flu Bugs had a great time greeting fans and helping to spread important flu prevention messages!

Special thanks to the more than 37,500 fans who came out to #FightFlu and show their support and to the Washington Nationals for hosting another successful Flu Awareness Night.

Stay tuned…planning has already begun for the 7th Annual Flu Awareness Night in 2018!

For more information on how you can help #FightFlu this season, visit nfid.org/flu and take these 3 easy steps to show your support:

 To join the conversation, follow NFID (@nfidvaccines) and the NFID Flu Bugs (@Flu_Bugs) on Twitter using the hashtag #FightFlu, like NFID on Facebook, follow NFID on Instagram, join the NFID Linkedin Group, and subscribe to NFID Updates.

New Educational Resource from Washington State: Nadia’s Story

The Washington State Department of Health has added a new resource to their college webpage:  A Washington mom’s message about meningococcal disease. Karin Willett graciously shared her story about her daughter (Nadia) with us. Karin wants to reach as many people as she can with Nadia’s Story, and she hopes that her story can help save just one child.

On January 11, 2010, Nadia passed away from bacterial meningitis. Her mother, Karin, believes that if she had been vaccinated against meningococcal disease that she might still be alive today. Read and share Nadia’s Story. Make sure you and your loved ones get vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

“Through this horrendous experience of seeing my child suffer and then die, I must do something. My dream is to help just ONE CHILD and their family not go through this devastating disease. I must try to help eliminate meningitis from the face of the earth! We must work together!” –Karin Willett

Check out WA’s Facebook post about Nadia. Please share on your Facebook page.

Increasing Adolescent Immunization: Establishing a 16-year Old Platform.

The CDC recently released its 2016 National Immunization Survey-Teen results, and millions of teens continue to be under-vaccinated against serious infectious diseases. Check out the NFID’s latest blog from Dr. LJ Tan that explores actions you can take to help improve these rates and help protect teens against serious infectious diseases.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Tetanus in Areas Affected by a Hurricane: Risk, Prevention, and Management Guidelines for Clinicians

Exposure to flood waters does not increase the risk of tetanus. Therefore, tetanus immunization campaigns for evacuees from flooding disasters are not needed. However, during evacuation and flood cleanup, emergency responders, cleanup workers, and volunteers may be at increased risk for wounds. These workers should make sure they are up to date with tetanus vaccination before starting cleanup activities.

Additional information on treatment and management of tetanus cases is available at:

  • Tetanus – For Clinicians (CDC)
  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Tetanus. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, Long SS, eds. Red Book®: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2015; 773–8.

Further guidance on tetanus vaccination of responders and residents, can be found on the following CDC websites:

New AAP Flu Vaccine Guidelines: Get Your Kid Vaccinated by October

Summer is over, fall is upon us, and that means flu season is also right around the corner. Just in time, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines that are a must-read for parents. An article about the guidance is available online.

The biggest take away: it’s not too early to get your kid vaccinated.

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 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

Announcements – L.J Tan (IAC)
  • 2018 Summit In-Person Meeting – The next Summit will take place on May 18, immediately following CDC’s National Immunization Conference (NIC) on May 15–17. The May 17 session of NIC will feature content normally taking place at the Summit. A poster session and networking reception are planned for the Summit meeting, just as occurred during 2017. Participants will be invited to submit posters to both NIC and the Summit, when appropriate.

Influenza Surveillance Update – Noreen Alabi (CDC)

Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 34, ending on August 26, 2017.

Influenza A viruses were the most commonly detected for the week. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories was 1.6%. Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 0.9%, below the national baseline of 2.2%.

No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during week 34. A total of 104 pediatric deaths have occurred during the 2016–2017 season.

Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available as of week 32, 5.1% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 5.9% for the week.

2017–2018 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign – Cate Shockey (CDC)

Cate provided a presentation on CDC’s flu vaccination campaign plans. She noted that, although each flu vaccine is different, our one constant is that vaccination is the best protection. In addition to this over-riding concept, the two main objectives of the 2017–2018 season are (1) to increase the number of healthcare providers making strong flu vaccine recommendations and (2) to increase awareness and dispel misconceptions about the flu vaccine among providers and the general public.

CDC has created three key messages for both of these key audiences.

For consumers:

  • Flu is a serious illness.
  • The flu vaccine is the best protection available against flu. Talk to your doctor about getting the flu vaccine for your family.
  • The flu vaccine is very safe (myth-busting).

For providers:

  • Flu is a serious illness.
  • The flu vaccine is the first and most important step to give your patients the best protection this flu season.
  • Every visit with your patient is an opportunity to recommend the flu vaccine.

One component of this year’s campaign will be to address misconceptions and potential barriers to vaccination. These messages will point out that flu is a very safe vaccine and emphasize that the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu. Potential “side effects” will be discussed and place into context. Messages also will note that anyone can get flu, and the benefits of protecting those around you.

Cate highlighted a few key dates for the upcoming season.

  • The annual NFID Influenza Vaccination Kick-Off press conference will be held in Washington, DC on September 28. At the event, HHS Director Tom Price will join a panel of experts in discussions about the previous and upcoming flu seasons. In conjunction with this event, two MMWR publications will be released outlining 2016–2017 season vaccination rates in the general population and among healthcare professionals. In addition, social media events will occur, including a Thunderclap event. Summit members are asked to join these events by using messages incorporating #FightFlu.
  • National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will take place on December 3-9. This annual observance is set to remind the public that it’s not too late to vaccinate.

Planned digital events include continued use of #FightFlu and a social media blitz across multiple CDC platforms. A Medscape Facebook Live event will take place on October 18, and a blog relay is planned for the week of November 6.

For partners, CDC has developed a digital toolkit to serve as a “campaign in a box.” This toolkit provides a “one-stop-shop” for flu vaccination materials, including important dates and events, sample messages to share, print-ready materials, social media images, and materials for use on websites. CDC hopes that this resource will provide all partners with a “go to” location for valuable resources.

Cate mentioned that subject matter experts could be available upon request to help partners share flu messages. All of these materials and resources are meant to help all providers work in partnership in sharing messages.

In January, CDC will pivot to their “Take 3” messages about the importance of vaccination, hand hygiene can help prevent spread, and antivirals are an important second line of defense.

Several partners had questions following Cate’s presentation. One partner asked whether CDC plans to emphasize getting vaccinated in a timely fashion, but not too early. Cate noted that the kick-off occurs in late September. L.J noted that Brendan Flannery’s presentation at the last Summit indicated the benefits of vaccinating early outweigh the risk of waning immunity. Another individual asked when IVATS will be loaded. L.J noted that all IAC flu materials for this season are currently being reviewed by CDC and should be available within approximately one week. Finally, a partner in Texas noted that many local providers had lost vaccine due to the Hurricane Harvey. She wondered if this was contributing to any concerns about vaccine supply. L.J said there will be an update about this on next week’s call.

L.J closed the call by noting that Marla Dalton of NFID will join next week’s call (September 14) to provide a summary of the flu vaccine kick-off press conference scheduled for September 28.

SUMMIT CALL RECAP – SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

Announcements – L.J Tan (IAC)
  • L.J announced that the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) for the 2017–2018 influenza season has been posted to the “Resources” section of the Summit website. IVATS provides a resource for healthcare settings wishing to purchase influenza vaccine. Ongoing updates will be posted to this site throughout the influenza season.
  • In response to a question from the previous week’s Summit call, L.J provided an update on what is known about the potential impact of the recent hurricanes on the national influenza vaccine supply. CDC has stated that some, but not the majority, of vaccine had been delivered to these areas. However, it is too early to quantify the amount of vaccine that may have been lost. CDC is closely monitoring the situation and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Influenza Surveillance Update – Noreen Alabi (CDC)

Noreen provided highlights of the influenza surveillance report from week 35, ending on September 2, 2017.

Influenza A viruses were the most commonly detected for the week. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories was 2.4%. Nationwide, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity was at 1.0%, below the national baseline of 2.2%.

One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported during week 35. A total of 105 pediatric deaths have occurred during the 2016–2017 season. Approximately 25% of these deaths occurred in children who were fully vaccinated according to the 2016 ACIP recommendations.

Based on reports from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveillance system available as of September 7, 5.0% of deaths were due to pneumonia and influenza (P&I). This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 5.9% for the week.

2017 NFID Influenza Pneumococcal News Conference – Marla Dalton (NFID)

Marla provided information about the 21st Annual NFID Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference, scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 28 at 10 am ET at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The keynote speaker for the event will be Tom Price, US Secretary of Health and Human Services. Dr. Price will be receiving his flu vaccine on camera at the event. NFID Medical Director Dr. Bill Shaffner will moderate a panel including Dr. Kathy Neuzil (University of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development), Patsy Stinchfield (Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota), and Dr. Dan Jernigan (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The discussion will focus on important information about both influenza and pneumococcal disease. Final CDC data from the 2016–2017 influenza season will be presented, along with information about how this will inform flu vaccination efforts in the upcoming season.

Marla encouraged all Summit partners to participate in the following ways:

  • Join the CDC/NFID Thunderclap and share it with your networks.
  • Log-in to the webcast to hear the information presented. In addition, a recording of the event will be available on the NFID website.

This year NFID is making an effort to help prepare media participants ahead of the event. For example, this morning CDC and NFID held a well-attended Influenza 101 Webinar which focused on the fundamentals of influenza and influenza vaccine. Summit members may submit suggestions about information they feel should be addressed to assist with media preparations.

Marla invited everyone to stay tuned for future NFID activities planned throughout the influenza season. Persons with questions on any of this information may send an email to Marla Dalton.

CDC Study on Influenza Vaccination of Pregnant Women

L.J noted that an article titled Association of Spontaneous Abortion with Receipt of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Containing H1N1pdm09 in 2010–11 and 2011–12 was published in the September 13 issue of Vaccine. The article noted that a limited study indicated an increased risk of miscarriage within 28 days of vaccination for women receiving two consecutive annual vaccines containing the pandemic H1N1 component. The study does not quantify the risk of miscarriage and does not prove that influenza vaccine was the cause of the miscarriage. Much additional investigation is needed to clarify the potential impact of this information on immunization recommendations. There is an ongoing investigation to study this issue further among women who were pregnant and eligible to receive flu vaccine during the 2012-13 through 2014-15 flu seasons. Results are anticipated in late 2018 or 2019.

L.J noted that multiple other studies have indicated the significant risk of influenza complications in pregnant women. ACOG has posted a statement indicating the study’s limitations and the organization’s continued support of the current recommendation encouraging routine flu vaccinations during any trimester of pregnancy.

CDC has posted a fact sheet on this topic for health care providers of pregnant women. In addition, Summit members may contact L.J Tan to receive key points that may be of assistance when they are asked about this study. The Summit will make efforts to secure a CDC speaker on this topic for next week’s Summit call.

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.

The upcoming Summit call on September 21 will feature Dr. James Donahue from the Marshfield Clinic to present on their data that was recently published in Vaccine, Association of Spontaneous Abortion with Receipt of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Containing H1N1pdm09 in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

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