NJIN Monthly Newsletter
April 2024
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NJIN is excited to begin this new Spring season with our membership.
We look forward to our slate of events in the month of May, which include our May 10th General Membership meeting with guest lecturer Uzma Hasan, MD, as well as our May 15th webinar, titled "Approaches to Address Common Vaccine Myths and Tools to Decrease Hesitancy."
More details can be found in the Announcements section below.
In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we present several
vaccine-related articles and updates related to topics such as Measles, RSV, Flu, and COVID-19.
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NJIN is excited to announce that Continuing Medical Education credits will be offered to those who attend our upcoming webinar on May 10th.
To register - Click on the flyer to open the document, then click the "REGISTER HERE" button to open the Zoom registration page.
Or
Click the blue "Register for Webinar" button below the flyer.
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Measles: Presenting the facts and Dispelling Myths About MMR
NJIN General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May 15th
12:00pm-1:00pm
Speaker
Uzma N. Hasan, MD
Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Assistant Professor
RWJ-Rutgers Medical School
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"National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a yearly observance held in April, highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). NIIW is April 22-29, 2024. CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases" (CDC). | |
Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants
CDC
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"Doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and office staff all play a key role in establishing and maintaining a practice-wide commitment to communicating effectively about vaccines and maintaining high vaccination rates. You can all answer parents’ questions, provide educational materials, and ensure that families make and keep vaccine appointments" (CDC).
This resource from the CDC outlines a communication strategy for providers to follow when discussing vaccines with parents.
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Featured Articles and Resources | |
US Measles Cases Are Up In 2024. What's Driving the Increase?
Associated Press
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- "Nationwide, measles cases already are nearly double the total for all of last year."
- "The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention documented 113 cases as of April 5. There have been seven outbreaks and most of U.S. cases — 73% — are linked to those flare-ups."
- However, "the count is lower than some recent years: 2014 saw 667 cases and 2019 had 1,274."
- "According to Thursday’s report, most of the recent importations involved unvaccinated Americans who got infected in the Middle East and Africa and brought measles back to the U.S."
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"The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective. It is a routine and recommended childhood vaccine that is split into two doses."
- "Research shows it takes a very high vaccination rate to prevent measles from spreading: 95% of the population should have immunity against the virus."
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"During the COVID-19 pandemic, national vaccination rates for kindergartners fell to 93% and remain there. Many pockets of the country have far lower rates than that. The drop is driven in part by record numbers of kids getting waivers" (AP).
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Sanofi Raising Price of RSV Immunization Nirsevimab
American Academy of Pediatrics
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"Sanofi has raised the price of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization nirsevimab (Beyfortus) by 5%.
The new list price per dose for the 50 milligram (mg) and 100 mg doses is $519.75. The price for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program will stay the same at $395.
Sean T. O’Leary, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, called the increase disappointing and said, 'pediatricians and family physicians are already struggling to stock it because of the cost'" (AAP).
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COVID-19 and Flu - Current Epidemic Growth Status (Based on Rt) for States and Territories
CDC
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This interactive tool from the CDC allows users to view the current COVID-19 and flu epidemic growth status for all US states and territories.
Key Points:
- "As of April 6, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 2 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 26 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 21 states and territories."
- "As of April 6, 2024, we estimate that influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 3 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 32 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 11 states and territories" (CDC).
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FluView - A Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report
CDC
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Key Points (Updated April 12)
- "Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally but continues to decrease nationally."
- "CDC estimates that there have been at least 33 million illnesses, 360,000 hospitalizations, and 23,000 deaths from flu so far this season."
- "An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu and vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu."
- "CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are spreading. Vaccination now can still provide benefit this season."
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"Flu viruses are among several viruses that contribute to respiratory disease activity. CDC is providing updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity on a weekly basis" (CDC).
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Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update
CDC
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This interactive map from the CDC allows users to view Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity levels across the United States over time. Users can explore a number of features, including the ability to click on any state and be redirected to state-level surveillance tools and other resources. | |
Spotlight:
Vaccines for Children
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For resources and information on the New Jersey VFC program, including the newly updated provider manual, click the links below.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings | |
April 24, 2024 (Wed)
NJIN Education and Events Committee
1:00pm - 2:00pm
May 8, 2024 (Wed)
NJIN Steering Committee
8:30am - 9:30am
May 15, 2024 (Wed)
NJIN General Membership
12:00pm - 1:00pm
May 22, 2024 (Wed)
NJIN Education and Events Committee
1:00pm - 2:00pm
More NJIN Events 2024
September 26, 2024
Back to School Webinar
October 30, 2024
Adult Immunization Conference Webinar
Fall 2024
Flu Warriors Festivals
NJIN will host several Flu Warriors Festivals for the Fall of 2024 across the state of New Jersey. The events will target areas with large uninsured and underserved populations. Attendees will be provided with the opportunity to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines along with educational materials on vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.
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We Want to Hear From You! | |
We at NJIN would like to encourage input from our newsletter readers. Any suggestions on topics, resources, or other ideas that you'd like to see included going forward are welcome!
Please share your feedback with NJIN Director Maria Sciancalepore via email at msciancalepore@njaap.org.
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