July weather is hot and breezy with temperatures reaching into the 90s, so the seas are warm and ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. While enjoying the lazy days of summer, remember to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water!

We invite you to read our latest issue of the NJIN newsletter, in which we present vaccine-related news and publications on topics such as COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and more.

Spotlight

The New Jersey Immunization remains committed to keeping the members informed of the latest vaccine updates for the coming months.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Our guest speaker Dr. Meg Fisher will present on Vaccine Updates 2024.

Calling all Volunteers!

NJIN is currently looking for volunteers to help assist with our Annual Flu Warriors Festivals, particularly those with a clinical background and Spanish speakers. If interested, please contact us via email.

A full list of events can be found in the "Upcoming NJIN Events" section toward the bottom of this newsletter.

Featured Articles and Resources

Vaccine Preventable Disease Program: Updated Vaccine Information Toolkit for Parents/Guardians

NJDOH

Vaccine Information Toolkit for Parents/Guardians UPDATED: 7/2024

• Frequently Asked Questions [English] [Spanish]
• Keeping Your Children Calm During Vaccine Appointments [English] [Spanish]
• Spotting Vaccine Misinformation [English] [Spanish]
• Tips for Staying Up to Date [English] [Spanish]
• Locations to Access Vaccines (2.5 x 3.5 Palm Card) [English] [Spanish]

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met June 26-28, 2024 

CDC Newsroom

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met June 26-28, 2024, to discuss data and vote on multiple vaccines recommendations. ACIP approved the following recommendations by majority vote, and they have been adopted by the CDC Director, Dr. Mandy Cohen. They will be published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and reflected in CDC’s print and digital resources in the coming months.

COVID-19 Vaccines

• CDC recommends 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines as authorized or approved by FDA in persons ≥6 months of age.

Influenza Vaccines

• CDC reaffirms the recommendation for routine annual influenza vaccination of all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
• CDC recommends high-dose inactivated (HD-IIV3) and adjuvanted inactivated (aIIV3) influenza vaccines as acceptable options for influenza vaccination of solid organ transplant recipients aged 18-64 years who are on immunosuppressive medication regimens, without a preference over other age-appropriate IIV3s or RIV3.

RSV Vaccines – Adults

• For adults who did not receive an RSV vaccine last year:
• CDC recommends adults 75 years of age and older receive a single dose of RSV vaccine.
• CDC recommends adults 60–74 years of age and older who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease receive a single dose of RSV vaccine.

RSV Vaccines - Maternal/Pediatric

• CDC continues to recommend RSV immunizations to protect all babies from severe RSV.

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Vaxelis®) Vaccine

• CDC recommends DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Vaxelis®) should be included with PRP-OMP (PedvaxHIB®) in the preferential recommendation for American Indian and Alaska Native infants based on the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) component.

Pneumococcal Vaccines

• CDC recommends PCV21 as an option for adults aged ≥19 years who currently have a recommendation to receive a dose of PCV.

Video: New ACIP recommendations for RSV, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines, plus updated flu vaccine

AMA Update

Featured topic and speakers

Is a new COVID vaccine coming out? Which RSV vaccine is better? Are there new PCV vaccines? Which vaccines can be given together? When is the new flu shot available?

The guest speaker is Sandra Fryhofer, MD, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup. AMA Chief Experience Officer Todd Unger hosts.

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines

CDC

On June 27, 2024, the CDC Director adopted the ACIP’s recommendations for use of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines in people ages 6 months and older as approved or authorized by FDA. The 2024–2025 vaccines are expected to be available in fall 2024. The page linked to below will be updated at that time to align with the new recommendations. Learn more: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html

What You Need to Know

• CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines—Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax—to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
• Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
• Children aged 6 months–4 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• People aged 65 years and older who received 1 dose of any updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax) should receive 1 additional dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous updated dose. For more Novavax information, click or tap here.
• COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be updated as needed.
• People who are up to date have lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than people who are unvaccinated or who have not completed the doses recommended for them by CDC.

COVID-19 - Current Epidemic Growth Status (Based on R_t) for States and Territories

CDC

This interactive tool from the CDC allows users to view the current COVID-19 epidemic growth status for all US states and territories.

Key Points:

• "As of July 09, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 0 state and territory, and are stable or uncertain in 3 states and territories."

FluView - A Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report

CDC

Key Points (Updated July 12)

• "Seasonal influenza activity remains low nationally."
• "CDC estimates that there have been at least 35 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 25,000 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."
• "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).

Upcoming NJIN Events

Community Baby Showers

NJIN is embarking on a new community initiative, “Community Baby Showers.” A community baby shower is to celebrate and support mothers-to-be in underserved communities by providing them with essential resources, information, and a supportive network as they prepare for the arrival of their babies. It aims to empower mothers, promote health and well-being, foster connections among community members, and create a positive and nurturing environment for mothers and their families. A community baby shower shows love, care, and solidarity with expecting mothers, ensuring they feel celebrated and supported during this special time in their lives.

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.

NJIN is currently looking for volunteers to help assist with our Festivals, particularly those with a clinical background and Spanish speakers. If interested, please contact us via email.

Other Community Events

NJIN will have a presence at several other community events such as the Mansfield Health Fair, hosted by Virtua Health.

NJIN Meetings Schedule

July 17, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN General Membership Meeting

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Aug 14, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Steering Committee

8:30am - 9:30am

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.