July 2018 - In This Issue:
NEWS & RESOURCES
The CDC reports that the 2017-2018 flu season had the highest number of pediatric deaths on record.
A recent safety surveillance of DTaP vaccines was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and shows no new or unexpected adverse events were detected.
An MMWR was published discussing both influenza activity in the US for the 2017-2018 season and the composition of the 2018-2019 vaccine.
Merck submitted a request to the FDA to expand the recommended age range for Gardasil 9 to include adults ages 27 to 45. The FDA hopes to reach a decision on the application by October 2018. 
The first study to examine the effect of the HPV vaccine on associated outcomes at a population-level shows the HPV vaccine unmistakably works.
A new study out of Florida Atlantic University shows the effectiveness of using Virtual Reality (VR) to distract children from the fear and pain of immunization shots.
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:

Happy Summer! Please note the LOCATION CHANGE  for our July Quarterly Meeting. Due to a scheduling conflict, it will NOT be at the Tukwila Community Center. Scroll down for more information!

Thanks for reading,

Izzy Brandstetter, MPH
IACW HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH: ORAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER HPV TOOLKIT
Last week, WithinReach had a cool opportunity to talk to dental providers about the HPV vaccine and cancer prevention at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, through the newly formed Washington Oral Health & HPV Collaborative. Thanks to our partners at the Washington State Department of Health, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Snohomish Health District, and Public Health - Seattle & King County who helped staff our booth (pictured above). 

In the past couple of months, the Washington Oral Health & HPV Collaborative adapted a toolkit to provide oral healthcare providers with information to help them understand the vaccine, make a strong recommendation, and provide information about it to their patients. 
CONGRATULATIONS TO IMMUNIZATION AWARD WINNERS!
Pictured above: (L) Michele Roberts, Washington State Department of Health & (R) Mackenzie Melton, WithinReach.
Congratulations to the Washington State Department of Health and WithinReach on receiving the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) "Bulls-Eye Award" for their work on a survey of immunization practices and policies at four-year colleges and universities in Washington State. The "Bulls-Eye Award" is for innovation and excellence and is presented to immunization programs in recognition of outstanding immunization initiatives. 

Additionally, we'd like to extend our congratulations to Michele Roberts, who was presented the "Impact Award" at the AIM conference. This award recognizes an immunization program manager who dedicates significant time, expertise, and experience towards achieving the organizational goals of AIM.
YOU'RE INVITED! UPCOMING HPV TASK FORCE MEETING
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 in Lynnwood, WA)*; Not able to join us in person? Click here to sign up for the live-stream. 
The July meeting will include a presentation from Elias Kass, naturopathic physician and vaccine champion, on the positive intersection between naturopathy and vaccines. Additionally, we'll be sharing results from a large survey that we recently administered across the state that worked to assess immunization education/resource needs of partners in Washington with a particular focus on those who work in rural and/or under-resourced communities.
  • 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 OPPORTUNITY 
AT WITHINREACH

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 August 6th - 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. 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.