I Raise the Rates! April Edition

In this edition of I Raise the Rates (IRtR), you will find a variety of new resources from several public health partners, educational opportunities, and a selection of media articles related to immunization.

NEW: Updated ACIP Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

During the April 19, 2023, meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met and expressed support to the simplification of the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, allowing adult and immunocompromised adults to receive the second dose of the bivalent vaccines. Votes were not cast but the changes include:

Additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised.
Monovalent (original) COVID-19 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States.
CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.
Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.

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Facilitating Effective Conversations with Patients

Strong and effective vaccine recommendations from trusted clinicians are critical to promoting immunization uptake and building confidence. Many factors contribute to lack of vaccine confidence, including the spread of false or misleading information online, historical mistrust in the medical community, concerns about safety, etc. Facilitating effective conversations with patients will help you understand and address the root of their concerns, build trust, and increase immunization rates.

Here are some important tips to consider when having vaccine conversations with your patients:

ANNOUNCE that vaccination is recommended. Save time by making a strong recommendation that clearly communicates the need to get immunized. The majority of your patients will accept a vaccine recommendation from a trusted clinician. Once the patient has agreed to get vaccinated, provide them with very clear directions.

INQUIRE If the patient expresses any hesitation, inquire to understand the root of their concerns.

MIRROR back what you heard back to your patient saying. This step is important to make sure the patient feels heard and that their concerns are validated

SECURE trust to build confidence. The patient may not agree to get vaccinated during the first conversation. The goal for your conversation should be to focus on building trust and planting a seed.

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ACP High Value Immunization Referral Toolkit

Every member of the healthcare team has a role to play in raising immunization rates. Access ACP’s new High Value Immunization Referral Toolkit, a resource designed to facilitate more effective and collaborative immunization referrals among those within the immunization neighborhood.

Access ACP’s NEW High Value Immunization Referral Toolkit HERE

Thinking about Vaccines

End of Public Health Emergency declaration will be ending on May 11, 2023; all vaccines purchased by the U.S. government will continue to be distributed and available for free.
Vaccines will remain free for most people through various federal programs and commercial insurances. Commercialization of the COVID-19 Vaccine will most likely occur in early Fall 2023.
Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which will be amended by HHS to extend immunity liability to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines through December 2024.
Anticipation of an updated COVID-19 vaccine for this Fall 2023

RSV Infections More Frequent, Severe in Older Adults

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in children in the winter months, with research also suggesting that severe RSV infections can also occur in adults. Treatment for RSV can only be symptomatic and supportive in the absence of a proper vaccine. The effect of RSV on morbidity and mortality in older adults is lacking given the expected wave of RSV after the pandemic, and so this study aimed to examine patient characteristics, clinical presentation, risk factors, and outcomes in adults with RSV infection compared with influenza A/B and COVID-19.

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SAGE updates COVID-19 vaccination guidance

The roadmap continues SAGE’s prioritization of protecting populations at the greatest risk of death and severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its focus on maintaining resilient health systems. The roadmap newly considers the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination for those at lower risk – namely healthy children and adolescents – compared to other health interventions. The roadmap also includes revised recommendations on additional booster doses and the spacing of boosters. The current COVID-19 vaccines’ reduction of post-COVID conditions is also considered but the evidence on the extent of their impact is inconsistent.

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New Data indicates Declining Confidence in Childhood Vaccines of up to 44 percentage points in some countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

New UNICEF report shows 67 million children missed out on one or more vaccinations over three years due to service disruption caused by strained health systems and diversion of scarce resources, conflict and fragility, and decreased confidence.

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