MCAAP Immunization Initiative Update
April 2023
COVID-19 Vaccine Update

From the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program
Monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States

On April 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines.

Monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States. Administration of monovalent Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines must stop immediately.

Monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available for ordering in the MIIS. All outstanding orders in the MIIS have been canceled. Further instructions on processing wastage will be forthcoming.

Click here to read the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program Bulletin.

CDC simplifies COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, allows older adults and immunocompromised adults to get second dose of the updated vaccine

On April 19, following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory action, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.

On April 19, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss these COVID-19 vaccine recommendation changes, and the associated implications and implementation. Although there was no vote at this meeting, ACIP members expressed their support for these recommendations.

Click here to read more.

Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Will End on May 11, 2023

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 is planned to end on May 11, 2023. The end of the COVID-19 PHE will not have an immediate impact on the ability for enrolled sites to continue to order COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines will still be available to order via the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) for all enrolled sites with a signed Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program (MCVP) Agreement. The associated Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccine formulations will still be active.

See the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional COVID-19 vaccine resources, including the most recent Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Program Provider Bulletin.
Current and Upcoming Campaigns
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)
is April 24-30, 2023
#ivaxtoprotect

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).

A primary NIIW focus this year is ensuring that families stay on track for their children’s well-child visits and routinely recommended vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.

See the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for NIIW resources.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Hepatitis Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote awareness about viral hepatitis throughout the lifespan and to encourage testing and vaccination. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are available to protect children against two of the common virus types. Click here to access the 2023 childhood/adolescent immunization schedule.

In 2013, Immunize.org launched the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Click here to see the Massachusetts Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll honorees. Congratulations to the sixteen Massachusetts institutions which have been named to the honor roll. A special congratulations to Lawrence General Hospital for being recently named to the honor roll for a fifth year!

See the Resource Spotlight section of the newsletter for additional resources.
Vaccine Confidence Update

The Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project (MVCP) will be exhibiting at the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN) Annual Conference on May 4, 2023. If you are attending the conference, please stop by the MVCP Exhibit!

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is sponsoring the 2023 Immunization Champion Award. The Immunization Champion Award recognizes individuals throughout the country who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster immunizations in their communities, for both children and adults. AIM will honor up to one Champion from each of the 64 National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) federally funded jurisdictions: 50 U.S. states, 6 major cities, and 8 territories/federated states. The deadline to submit nominations is May 19, 2023. Click here for more information.

On May 4, 2023, AIM will hold a vaccine confidence webinar, "Strengthening Vaccine Confidence: Refreshing Our Conversations about Child and Adolescent Vaccinations."
Click here for more information and to register for the webinar.

The 2023 MDPH Immunization Updates webinars will include a vaccine confidence presentation. On May 24, 2023, Karen Ernst, Co-Founder of Voices for Vaccines, a family-led immunization advocacy organization, will present. Be on the lookout for the link to register for this webinar.

The MVCP published its first newsletter last month. Click here to read the newsletter. Click here to subscribe to future newsletters.

Thank you for all that you do to immunize Massachusetts citizens against vaccine-preventable diseases!

Click here to visit the MVCP website!
2022-2023 Influenza Season Update

MDPH's Weekly Flu report for the week ending April 15, 2023, notes that both locally and nationally seasonal flu activity remains low. For the week ending April 15, the percent of influenza-like illness (ILI) visits was lower than the regional baseline of 2.0%. Outer Metro Boston region reported moderate influenza-like illness (ILI) activity and all other regions reported minimal ILI activity.

See the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter to access the most recent MDPH Weekly Flu Report.
Resource Spotlight

COVID-19 Vaccines

Immunization Campaigns
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)
Hepatitis Awareness Month

Recently Published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Bulletins and Newsletters
  • Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Bulletins webpage
  • MDPH Weekly Flu Report webpage
  • Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) Monthly Update - April 2023, Issue 13
  • Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project newsletter - March 2023
Provider Education and Meetings

Upcoming Events and Meetings
Thursday, May 4, 2023, 1:00-2:00 PM ET
Association of Immunization Managers Webinar
Strengthening Vaccine Confidence: Refreshing Our Conversations about Child and Adolescent Vaccinations
Click here for more information and to register for the webinar. CME-CEU credit will not be offered for this webinar.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 4:00-6:35 PM
Massachusetts Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP)
MCAAP Annual CME and Business Meeting: "Creative Approaches to Grow Your Competence in Managing Pediatric Mental Health Concerns"
The meeting will be virtual. Click here for more information and to register for the meeting.

May and June 2023
MDPH Immunization Division
2023 MDPH Immunization Updates Webinars
Click here for the Immunization Updates schedule and topics. Registration for the updates will open soon.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 1:00 PM
Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC)
Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition Meeting
The meeting will be virtual. Click here to register for the meeting.

June 21-22, 2023
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
ACIP Meeting
Registration is not required to attend the meeting virtually. Click here for more information.

Save the Date!
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP)
28th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference
The meeting will be hybrid. The in-person conference will be held at the DCU Center, Worcester, MA. Conference updates will be posted as they become available.

On Demand Meetings and Recordings
Vindico Medical Education
The InFLUence of Vaccine Technology on Pediatric Influenza Outcomes
Click here for more information and to access the activity.

MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series
Updates in ACIP Recommendations for the 2023 Childhood/Adolescent and Adult Immunization Schedules (recorded 3/9/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and resources.

Understanding Current COVID-19 and HPV Vaccination Challenges (recorded 1/26/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and resources.
Click here to visit our website!