The CDC posted a Childhood Immunization Update for healthcare professionals. This approximately 1-hour customizable slide deck is intended for use by physicians or vaccine coordinators during grand rounds or other educational meetings.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics developed a
flip chart for pediatric offices and parents, aimed at helping pediatric healthcare providers discuss adolescent immunizations with their patients and families.
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A study published in
Pediatrics
found no association between maternal receipt of influenza and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy and the risk of infant hospitalization or mortality in the first 6 months of life.
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| CONFERENCES, EVENTS, AND WEBINARS |
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.
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QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
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Contact Izzy Brandstetter
, MPH, Community & Systems Coordinator
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For more information about the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington:
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Happy Spring, and happy May Day! Below is a poem from Washington's 2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion, Dr. John Merrill-Steskal:
Not on the news today -
a child got to play. No,
not on the radio, TV or social media feed-
a garden, a kid planting a seed.
2017
first time ever
deaths from Measles worldwide dipped below 100,000.
You won't see it on a president's tweet-
little kids played on the street. No,
no juicy gossip, headlines and politicians taking heat-
look around and see, less wheelchairs on the street.
2017
all time low
15 people in this world afflicted with Polio.
A tribute to science,
a gift to humanity:
Vaccines lessen death and disability.
Spread the news.
Thanks for reading,
Izzy Brandstetter, MPH
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| TAKE OUR SURVEY TO HELP SHAPE THE NEXT E-COURSE TOPIC! |
| Please fill out a brief survey to determine the most pressing immunization education needs in Washington State. WithinReach and the IACW are creating several free, accredited e-courses for healthcare providers that work with underserved or under-resourced communities. The idea is to better support local health agencies and healthcare providers through distance learning opportunities so they can stay current with immunization best practices. Click here to take the survey. The survey will close on Friday, May 25th. Please feel free to forward this survey link to your colleagues as well. If you have any questions, contact Izzy Brandstetter. |
| CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR IMMUNIZATION AWARD RECIPIENTS |
From left to right:
Jenny Arnold (Washington State Pharmacy Association; 2018 IACW Advocate), Kathy Lofy (WA Department of Health), Neil Kaneshiro (IACW Chair),
Dr. John Merrill-Steskal (Kittitas Valley Healthcare; 2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion), Mackenzie Melton (WithinReach).
Not pictured: American Indian Health Commission (2018 IACW Collaborator).
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On April 25th, in conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), we recognized immunization champions in Washington State. To read more information about their contributions and view photos of the recipients, click here!
- CDC Childhood Immunization Champion: Dr. John Merrill-Steskal (Kittitas Valley Healthcare)
- IACW Advocate Award: Jenny Arnold (Washington State Pharmacy Association)
- IACW Collaborator Award: American Indian Health Commission
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| APRIL QUARTERLY MEETING RECAP |
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In addition to presenting immunization-related awards, we also listened to two enlightening presentations - one on Dr. Merrill-Steskal's "Vaccine Status as a Vital Sign" project in Ellensburg, WA, and the other on Immunizations in an evolving public health and healthcare landscape from Washington State Health Officer, Dr. Kathy Lofy.
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| IMMUNIZATION WEBINAR FOR MIDWIVES & PRENATAL PROVIDERS |
Dr. Elias Kass, a well-known naturopathic physician in Washington State, will be hosting a webinar - in coordination with DOH - for midwives, physicians, and prenatal healthcare providers to discuss how to build connections with families and discuss immunizations while they introduce a new child into the world.
Dr. Kass will use his experiences as a naturopathic physician and licensed midwife to discuss the following:
- Describe why influenza infection can be more dangerous during pregnancy, based on pregnancy physiology and epidemiologic data.
- Explain how influenza immunization benefits the gestating parent and the fetus.
- Explain transplacental antibody transfer and how influenza and Tdap vaccine benefit the infant.
Please click here for more information and to register! The webinar will also be recorded and will be available for viewing at a later time. Please email
Trang Kuss with questions.
***The activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association (IMQ/CMA) through the joint providership of Cardea and the Washington State Department of Health. Cardea is accredited by the IMQ/CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Cardea designates this webinar for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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| CHANGES TO THE CHILDHOOD VACCINE PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON |
| The Department of Health is excited to be sharing news about changes you'll be seeing in the Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program. State and local public health came together to design an improved model for implementing program operations. Starting in April, the department has started communications with all childhood immunization providers about the upcoming transitions: vaccine ordering and accountability support moving centrally to the state, and site visit work (compliance site visits and AFIX quality improvement visits) moving to a local health regional model comprised of nine regions. This is a change from how it's currently done. Please look out for more communication about these changes that will take place effective July 1, 2018. |
IMMUNIZE WASHINGTON
PROVIDER RECOGNITION PROGRAM AWARDS |
The Health Plan Partnership, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Health, Health Care Authority, and Governor Jay Inslee, are proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Immunize Washington Provider Recognition Awards!
These healthcare providers and professionals across Washington are recognized for their excellence in protecting kids and teens from vaccine-preventable diseases. Thank you to all participants for continuing efforts to keep our communities strong and protected through vaccination!
Click here to see which providers made the 2018 winners list! |
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SAVE THE DATE(S): 2018 IACW QUARTERLY MEETINGS
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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 (location TBD)
- October 17 (Tukwila Community Center | Meeting Room A)
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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. Last year, we distributed all of the copies we printed, and we are close to doing so again this year. 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.
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Accredited Immunization E-Courses
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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.
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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.
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2017 Adult Immunization Schedules
Our pocket-sized, convenient format of the
2017
recommended adult schedule for
patients
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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.
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