A publication of the Immunization Action Coalition of WA (IACW) and WithinReach
December 2020

Greetings!

As we prepare for a very different holiday this year and a third wave of COVID-19, we are thankful for the heroic healthcare professionals and public health officials on the frontlines, as well as the scientists, researchers and volunteers working tirelessly to develop new vaccines and therapeutics.

WithinReach encourages everyone to get a flu vaccine and we need your help to spread the word and protect our communities! Individuals and families can connect with us through our Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or ParentHelp123.org website for help finding a flu vaccine provider. Also, check out our Flu web page for more information and resources.
 
We wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday from all of us at WithinReach.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Get the Flu Vaccine!

WithinReach
Flu Zone
National Influenza Vaccination Week

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual observance – this year from December 6-12 – that reminds everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get vaccinated against the flu to be protected during the upcoming season.

Together, we can use NIVW as a nationwide call-to-action to encourage people to get their annual flu shot, especially those with chronic conditions. The more people vaccinated against the flu, the more people there are protected from the flu.

We hope you will join us this year as we encourage everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this season. For more information and to view the communications toolkit to help educate your community, click here.
Upcoming Webinars & Events
December 9, 2020 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Interpret and employ new or updated vaccine information
  • Discuss vaccine-related information with patients and their families
  • Provide science-based resources to patients and their families who are seeking additional information
  • Describe the status of COVID-19 vaccines


December 15, 2020 5:00 p.m. PST
What do we need to know about vaccines? This live conversation will dig into how vaccines work, how they’re usually developed, and what is the same or different about the proposed COVID-19 vaccine.

Researchers from Fred Hutch will talk about their participation in Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trials, while leading physicians will answer the “most-asked” vaccine questions they hear every day.


¿Qué necesitamos saber sobre las vacunas?

Expertos de salud del estado de Washington participarán en una conversación en vivo, en español, para hablar sobre el impacto del COVID-19 en la comunidad latina, la ciencia detrás del desarrollo de las vacunas y cómo se está desarrollando la tan esperada vacuna contra el COVID-19.


December 17, 2020 12:00 p.m. PST
The webinar will cover:

  • Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Washington
  • Available COVID vaccines
  • Pre-clinical trials and phases, FDA approval process, post-licensure monitoring
  • Prevention of vaccine adverse events
  • Provider-based approaches to review vaccine adverse events with patient or parent
  • Vaccine adverse events reporting


Register today for our January IACW Meeting! January’s meeting will feature members of the COVID-19 Western States Safety Review Workgroup & updates on the planning and dissemination of COVID-19 vaccine in Washington State. 
Archived Webinars
This recording is from the November 17 IAC/CDC webinar “Partnerships and Promotion of Late-Season Influenza Doses to Ensure a Successful Influenza Vaccination Season during the COVID-19 Pandemic."
IAC COVID-19 Vaccination Implementation and the "Vaccinate with Confidence" Strategy
(On-demand webinar)
This presentation on December 3 updates healthcare professionals on CDC's COVID-19 vaccine planning and implementation, including vaccine distribution strategy, current state planning efforts, and the COVID-19 “Vaccinate with Confidence” strategy.
Free E-Courses

Hepatitis B Health Disparities in Refugee and Immigrant Communities

Drop Your Assumptions and Pick Up the Evidence: Strategies for Communication with Parents About Vaccines

News

Washington Exposure Notifications aims to let people know of possible COVID-19 exposures using Bluetooth technology developed by Apple and Google. If someone who has enabled these notifications tests positive, they can anonymously notify other users who have been within 6 feet of them.


Doctors are sounding the alarm on the rise in unvaccinated kids as we head into the winter months. Childhood vaccination rates have been fluctuating along with COVID cases. An immunology expert tells us he thinks parents are avoiding doctors' offices because of the pandemic.

Public health officials hope to vaccinate as many people as possible to turn the tide of the coronavirus pandemic once a vaccine becomes available –  even those who have already recovered from COVID-19.

Resources Section

College communities find themselves in uncharted territory as they face the challenges posed by COVID-19. In response to these challenges, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine developed guidance for colleges and universities.


The Washington State Department of Health's Think of It as Essential campaign promotes the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year. These materials are available for partners to use on their communication channels.


This documentary covers the history of the Immunization Action Coalition from 1990 to 2020. Hosted by Sam Waterston, the 30-minute film was produced by Visionaries, Inc. for broadcast during its 24th season on more than 100 local PBS stations nationwide.
QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Contact us: ic@withinreachwa.org
Making the connections Washington families need to be healthy and safe. Promoting, protecting & supporting immunization as a vital part of the health and development of children and families.

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.