COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign Saved Thousands | | | |
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) COVID-19 Vaccination Public Education Campaign, We Can Do This, has proven to be a resounding success, according to a study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The campaign, spanning April 2021 to March 2022, is estimated to have motivated 22.3 million individuals to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. | | |
This remarkable achievement resulted in the prevention of nearly 2.6 million SARS-CoV-2 infections, including nearly 244,000 hospitalizations, during a period when the highly transmissible Delta and Omicron variants were rapidly spreading. Read the study here. | |
Motivational Strategies for Vaccine Hesitancy | | | |
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Vaccine Voices Episode 4:
"Why Should I Trust You Now?
In this episode, we follow Monica, a daughter entrusted with her mother's health decisions in a long-term care facility. Monica grapples with deep mistrust of the healthcare system due to past injustices. Listen to her journey in addressing these feelings, leading to important discussions about vaccination and positive change.
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Check out our Vaccine Voices page to access this insightful 6-part series exploring real-life scenarios and expert strategies for using Motivational Interviewing to foster vaccine acceptance in long-term care settings. | |
New COVID ‘FLiRT’ Variants Continues to Rise | | |
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The CDC is closely monitoring the rise of a new COVID-19 variant known as KP.2, sometimes referred to as FLiRT, across the US. KP.2, a descendant of the previously dominant Omicron variant, appears to be highly transmissible. CDC Nowcast projections estimate that in just six weeks, KP.2 has surged from causing approximately 4% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the week of March 30 to accounting for over 28% of cases by mid-May 2024. While KP.2 is genetically related to Omicron, its ability to spread more rapidly is concerning. There is no evidence yet suggesting KP.2 leads to more severe illness compared to previous variants.
Nonetheless, the CDC remains vigilant in assessing the potential impacts of this emerging variant as it becomes increasingly prevalent nationwide. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations remains crucial in mitigating the effects of KP.2 and other evolving variants. Learn more about variants here.
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Hospitals No Longer Required to Submit COVID-19 Data | | | |
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Effective May 1, 2024, hospitals are no longer required to submit 'COVID-19 Hospital' data to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) via the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages voluntary data sharing. Hospital information on the CDC's COVID Data Tracker will now be sourced from COVID-NET, providing hospitalization rates per 100,000 individuals instead of national admission counts. | | |
**This exemption does not extend to Long-Term Care Facilities (i.e., Nursing Homes), Dialysis Facilities, or Healthcare Personnel (HCP) COVID-19 Vaccination reporting.** | | | |
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Q: What is the difference between the original COVID-19 vaccines and the currently recommended vaccines?
A: The original COVID-19 vaccines all targeted the spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The current vaccines target the spike protein of a more recently circulating strain, known as the Omicron XBB.1.5 sublineage. The update is intended to boost production of antibodies that protect more effectively against disease caused by currently circulating Omicron subvariants.
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Q: How can I confirm if I am using the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines?
A: Ensure you're referencing the latest documents by consulting Immunize.org's Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools, which is updated monthly. This resource provides dates for the most current materials from the CDC and FDA. Note that there may be a delay between public announcements of changes in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations and the release of updated CDC guidance documents. Typically, information is first updated on the CDC webpage: Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States.
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Upcoming Webinar:
Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Payment Challenges
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Thursday, May 30 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Discover crucial insights from experts at CMS, CDC, and QIN-QIOs on securing vaccine payments post-pandemic. Gain valuable guidance from Medicare specialists and QIN-QIOs on connecting with pharmacies for procurement, administration, and billing. Don't miss out on essential resources to streamline the vaccine payment process. Register now.
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Stay informed about vaccine updates:
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Visit our WAVE page to access up-to-date resources to support your efforts
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Keep the learning going:
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Visit our calendar to register for upcoming events
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Access on-demand training with IPRO Learn!
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For questions or technical assistance:
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The IPRO QIN-QIO works to ensure high-quality, safe health care in New England, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
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This material was prepared by the IPRO QIN-QIO, a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 12SOW-IPRO-QIN-T1-AA-21-435 | | | | |
