June 2018 - In This Issue:
NEWS & RESOURCES
Spokane provider Dr. Gretchen LaSalle recently published a comprehensive review of point-by-point, data-supported responses to 13 common vaccine misconceptions and concerns patients may have.
Rise in vaccine hesitancy related to pursuit of purity - a commentary from Prof. Heidi Larson
Check out this cool Measles Epidemic Simulator developed at the University of Pittsburgh, where you can select a specific city and state and see how measles would spread at different vaccination rates.
A Cochrane Review article provides global high-certainty evidence that HPV vaccines protect against cervical pre-cancer.
A study in Pediatrics finds that same-day HPV vaccination can be achieved when providers are persistent and engage hesitant parents.
Researchers at Washington State University found the use of community pharmacies could increase pneumococcal vaccine uptake in rural areas.
Comprehensive summary of previously published ACIP recommendations for prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in the US.
New free CE activity hosted by the CDC's MMWR and Medscape:   "Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults."
Though rising, CDC data suggests percentage of employed adults receiving influenza vaccine is still under 50%.
NIAID-sponsored trial of a universal influenza vaccine begins.
Read real-life accounts of people who have suffered or died from vaccine-preventable diseases: compelling personal testimonies, remembrances, case reports, and newspaper articles.
Experimental Ebola vaccinations - considered 'paradigm shift' - begin in Congo.
ABOUT US

Founded in 1994, the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW), a program of WithinReach, works to improve the health of the community by minimizing the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases through the optimal use of immunizations across the lifespan. Our priorities for 2018 are:

  • Increase vaccine confidence by being a trusted source of timely information about immunizations; 
  • Monitor legislation and advocate for policies that promote and maintain access to immunizations;
  • Improve awareness of adolescent immunizations
  • Develop data-driven resources and educational materials for providers who work with underserved communities.
QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Contact Izzy Brandstetter , MPH, Community & Systems Coordinator 
izzyb@withinreachwa.org
For more information about the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington:

Summer is just around the corner (finally!) and we want to make sure you stay healthy and safe for your travels!
  • Sun is wonderful, but can be dangerous too! Make sure to use sunscreen and stay hydrated!
  • Mosquitoes are gnarly - while avoiding them is the best prevention, make sure to use bug repellent. Especially if traveling outside of the state, make sure you receive recommended travel immunizations.
  • Try to schedule back-to-school appointments (including required immunizations for school) before the summer is over so you don't have to deal with long wait times. 

Happy trails,

Izzy Brandstetter, MPH
WELCOME BACK,
IMMUNIZE OREGON!
A big "welcome back" to our friends at Immunize Oregon, who will be reconvening their coalition work through partnership between the Oregon Immunization Program and Legacy Health. We're so excited to continue working with them to ensure that the West Coast is protected from diseases that vaccines prevent. You can visit their website for more updates and to join their email listserv: www.healthoregon.org/immunizeoregon
SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE DATA FOR 2017-2018 RELEASED BY WA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
  • 85.6% of kindergartners in our state have all vaccines needed to enter school - a similar rate to the past two years.
  • About 8.2% of kindergartners are out of compliance with immunization requirements.
  • 4.6% of kindergartners have an exemption on file for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Total exemption rates have held fairly steady since 2011. While it's good that the exemption rate isn't increasing, it's still more than double the national average of 2%.
Click here for the full 2017-2018 immunization report, as well as coverage maps and graphs. 
UPCOMING ACCREDITED WEBINAR THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Childhood Immunizations: Building a Foundation of Immunity | June 12, 12-1pm

Dr. Elias Kass, a well-known naturopathic physician in our state, will discuss how to build connections with families, discuss immunizations as part of a healthy childhood, and offer best practices for promoting healthy immunized children. Please click here to register.
SAVE THE DATE(S): 2018 IACW QUARTERLY MEETINGS
All meetings will be held from 12-2pm. We also have a remote option available for those who are unable to attend in-person. 
  • July 18 (Verdant Health | Cedar Room)*
  • October 17 (Tukwila Community Center | Meeting Room A)
Please review our Code of Conduct prior to attending these meetings.

*Note new venue location for July meeting!
AMERICORPS OPPORTUNITIES
  • As an AmeriCorps member at WithinReach, you can help to address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity by delivering in-person support, information, referrals, and application assistance to underserved communities in King and Snohomish Counties! Applications are accepted now through September 8th - click here to apply!
  • Nearly 30 school-based health centers in King County provide a full range of primary care services to over 8,000 youth annually, including asthma care, immunizations, and mental health counseling. As an AmeriCorps member at Public Health - Seattle & King County, you will be dedicated to recruiting and supporting student vaccine champions at high school sites to design and implement HPV education and outreach activities. This position is expected to start at the beginning of the service term, September 1st. Click here to apply!
FREE RESOURCES
2018 Pocket-Sized, Laminated Childhood Immunization Schedules
The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington creates our own durable, convenient format of the recommended childhood schedule, and we distribute them free of charge to providers in Washington. Last year, we distributed all of the copies we printed, and we are close to doing so again this year. Don't wait - order yours today by filling out  this form!

Please note that these are intended for healthcare provider use only. If you are looking for materials for patients, we'd be glad to send you alternative resources. 
Accredited Immunization E-Courses
Immunization Records Management Toolkits

These toolkits, designed for both schools & childcares, respectively, are intended to assist both medical and non-medical staff establish immunization record-keeping and documentation workflow processes, or modify existing processes.
Mobile Immunizations Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to help local health departments work with schools and healthcare providers to plan and host onsite immunization clinics in their schools or community. It was developed and piloted by the Spokane Regional Health District at 26 schools within 10 school districts in Spokane County. You can find the toolkit with its associated planning checklists  here.
2017 Adult Immunization Schedules
 
Our pocket-sized, convenient format of the  2017 recommended adult schedule for  patients The only differences on the 2018 schedule are the clarification on the new zoster vaccine recommendations and division of Meningococcal vaccines into two separate lines (A,C,W,Y and B). Order yo urs today  by emailing  with your name, mailing address, and desired quantity. 

Izzy Brandstetter and Mackenzie Melton

 

Immunization Action Coalition of Washington 

WithinReach

 

 
Promoting, protecting & supporting immunization as a vital part
of the health and development of children and families.