MCAAP Immunization Initiative Update
October 2023
Happy Fall, Immunization Colleagues!

As you are aware, there is much happening in the immunization world. This update provides the most currently known information at the time of publication. Please bookmark links for future reference and updates. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions.

Thank you for all that you do to protect Massachusetts' children against vaccine preventable diseases!

Best regards,
Cynthia

Cynthia McReynolds
MCAAP Immunization Initiative
cmcreynolds@mcaap.org
Register Today!
28th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
DCU Center, Worcester/Online

The MIAP Conference is 12 days away!

Conference updates:
  • In-person registration has reached capacity and is closed.
  • Virtual registration is ongoing and will continue until the conference. When registering virtually, you can request to be added to a wait list for in-person registration.
  • Final conference updates to in-person and virtual registrants will be sent as they become available.

Click here to visit the conference website.

Please contact Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org) with questions.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Update

On August 3, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, adopted the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for the use of nirsevimab, trade name BeyfortusTM , a long-acting monoclonal antibody product, which has been shown to reduce the risk of both hospitalizations and healthcare visits for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants by about 80 percent.

On September 14, the Massachusetts Vaccine Purchasing Advisory Council (MVPAC) recommended that nirsevimab be added to the formulary of state-supplied pediatric vaccine.

On October 2, nirsevimab became available for ordering through the State Vaccine Program.

On October 6, the American Medical Association approved two CPT codes for administration of nirsevimab. Click here to read more.

Also on October 6, the CDC published recommendations for RSV vaccine for pregnant persons at 32–36 weeks’ gestation using seasonal administration (meaning September–January in most of the United States) to prevent RSV-associated LRTI in infants aged <6 months.

Please see the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional RSV resources.
COVID-19 Vaccines Update

As of September 12, the new 2023-24 Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are approved by FDA and CDC. The new mRNA vaccines are universally recommended to everyone 6 months and older. The vaccines are available for order through the State Vaccine Program.

On October 3, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted to include the 2023-2024 formula. The vaccine is now available for order through the State Vaccine Program.

On October 10, in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MWWR), the CDC published recommendations for the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines for persons 6 months of years and older .

Please see the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional COVID-19 vaccine resources.
2023-2024 Influenza Season Update

From MPDH
Influenza-like Illness Volunteer Surveillance Program
Recruiting eligible sites now!

Every Fall, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences Immunization Program recruits outpatient medical practices to participate in ILINet, a national surveillance system for influenza-like illness (ILI). This volunteer program is a critical component of influenza surveillance, allowing real-time tracking of the ever-changing epidemiology of influenza as well as other respiratory illnesses. There are 2 components to the program: Submission of specimens (usually nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs) to the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (MA SPHL) for influenza surveillance testing (we provide the flu kits and cover the shipping using UPS), and weekly data collection with easy electronic reporting of patient visits due to influenza-like illness. You can do one or both! Contributing to this valuable surveillance program means you play a role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nationwide Influenza Surveillance Report that is published weekly as well as our own flu dashboard. Please contact Joyce Cohen (Joyce.cohen@mass.gov) for more information.

2023-2024 Influenza Season Update Webinar
On September 28, Lisa Grohskopf, MD, MPH, presented a 2023-2023 Influenza Season Update for the MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series. Click here to access the webinar recording and webinar resources.

Please see the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional flu season resources.
PCV Vaccine Update

On September 21, MDPH communicated an update regarding pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) availability. From the MDPH update:

Clinical guidance for the use of PCV vaccines recently shifted from the use of either PCV13 or PCV15, to the use of either PCV15 or PCV20.

  • The September 2022 MMWR on the use of PCV15 in children can be found here.
  • In June 2023 ACIP recommended, and CDC approved, recommendations for the use of PCV20 in children. A brief summary can be found here. A MMWR summarizing the recommendations and providing detailed clinical guidance is expected to be published soon.
  • Use of either pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV15 or PCV20, is recommended for all children according to currently recommended PCV dosing and schedules.
  • In certain scenarios, in high-risk children, when PCV15 is used it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later if not previously given.

Due to the additional 5 protective serotypes in Prevnar-20 (PCV20) and the simplified schedule for high-risk children (no need for an additional dose of PPSV23), the Massachusetts Vaccine Purchase Advisory Council (MVPAC) recently recommended to make Prevnar-20 (PCV20) the only PCV option that will be available for providers in Massachusetts through the universal program. This recommendation was adopted by the Department and is being implemented effective immediately.


The September 2023 Vaccine Management Unit Update also included information about ordering PCV vaccine.

Please see the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional PCV resources.
Vaccine Confidence Update

On September 23, the Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project (MVCP) exhibited at the Western Mass Conference of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC). MVCP staff had an opportunity to meet with and respond to questions from early childhood professionals. Immunization resources for both staff and parents were distributed.

On October 6, the MVCP partnered with Team Maureen to present, "Understanding and Building Vaccine Confidence on the Cape & Islands." The virtual event for school nurses and Cape/Islands-based providers addressed the burden of vaccine preventable disease; the current childhood immunization schedule; utilizing Massachusetts school immunization data to learn about the current state of vaccination/exemption rates on the Cape and Islands; and understanding the determinants of vaccine confidence and building motivational interviewing skills as a means to improving health. Attendees also heard about the activities of a local, school-based vaccination clinic.

On October 28, the MVCP will exhibit at the 28th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference. If you are attending the conference in-person, please visit the exhibit to check out our resources!

Thank you for all that you do to protect Massachusetts children and adults against vaccine preventable diseases!

Click here to visit the MVCP website.
Massachusetts PTA
Massachusetts PTA Health Symposium - Healthy Living for Everyone - A Unified Voice
Saturday, November 4, 2024
Thayer Academy, Braintree, Massachusetts
Click here for more information

On Saturday, November 4, MCAAP partner, Massachusetts PTA, will present, "Healthy Living for Everyone - A Unified Voice - Health Symposium." The Health Symposium will be held at Thayer Academy, Braintree. Massachusetts PTA is inviting parents, guardians, educators, health professionals, partners, and ALL community members to gather together to discuss the most pressing issues facing our children and youth. Join Massachusetts PTA for a day of thoughtful presentations, panel discussions and networking. Ample opportunity for discussion will be included.

MCAAP President, Mary Beth Miotto, MD, MPH, FAAP, and MCAAP member, Safdar Medina, MD, will present at the Health Symposium.

Symposium topics include:
  • Adolescent Substance Use: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment
  • Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth
  • Saving Lives with Mental Health Literacy Education
  • Navigating Technology and Social Media
  • Accessibility in Schools and Fitness
  • Peace Education
  • Community Advocacy for Youth and Families

All who register before or on October 15th will be eligible for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Enter the Coupon Code: EARLYBIRD when checking out. Two winners are possible. You must be present at the Symposium lunch to be eligible.

Click here for more information. If you have questions, please contact Jackie Coogan, Chair, Massachusetts PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee (j.coogan@masspta.org).
Resource Spotlight

MDPH Viral Respiratory Disease Dashboard
  • New! MDPH's Massachusetts Viral Respiratory Disease Dashboard. These dashboards provide data on contagious respiratory viruses, including acute respiratory diseases, COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Massachusetts. The data presented helps track trends in respiratory disease and vaccination activity across Massachusetts. 

COVID-19 Vaccines

2023-2024 Influenza Season

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (RSV)
  • RSV Prevention website, AAP
  • RSV for Healthcare Providers website, CDC

Recently Published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Bulletins and Newsletters
  • AAP Immunization Initiatives Newsletter - October 2023
  • Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) Monthly Update - October 2023, Issue 19
  • MDPH Vaccine Management Update - September 2023 [Note: Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available for order.]
Provider Education, Events and Meetings

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP)
28th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference
Click here to visit the conference website.

October 25-26, 2023
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
ACIP Meeting
Click here for more information.

Saturday, November 4, 2024
Massachusetts PTA
Mass PTA 2023 Healthy Living for Everyone - A Unified Voice - Health Symposium
Thayer Academy, Braintree, MA
Click here for more information.

On Demand Meetings and Recordings
MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series
2023-2024 Influenza Season Update (recorded 9/28/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording and resources.

Vaccine Refresher! Preventing Vaccine Administration Errors (recorded 6/29/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording 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!