As we welcome the month of June and head into the Summer months, 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

In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month in the United States. The goal of National Safety Month is to increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks that are increased in the summer months to decrease the number of injuries and deaths.

 For each week of the month, the NSC identifies a theme to focus on. The theme of each week can be found below.

• June 1-8 Safety Engagement
• June 9-15 Roadway Safety
• June 16-22 Risk Reduction
• June 23-30 Slips, Trips and Falls

Featured Articles and Resources

February 2024 ACIP Meeting Update: Meningococcal, RSV, COVID-19, and Other Vaccines 

AAP Pediatrics

"The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of medical and public health experts that provides advice to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normally meets 3 times per year to develop US vaccine recommendations.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met February 28 to 29, 2024, to discuss coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines, chikungunya vaccines, diphtheria-tetanus vaccine, influenza vaccines, polio vaccines, respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, meningococcal vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and Vaxelis (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Inactivated Poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae b Conjugate, and Hepatitis B Vaccine).

This update summarizes the proceedings of these meetings, with an emphasis on topics that are most relevant to the pediatric population. Major updates for pediatric clinicians include information about changes on influenza vaccine composition, meningococcal vaccination considerations, updated guidance for children with a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, and recommendations of the world’s first chikungunya vaccine for certain populations."

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2024

FDA

The FDA has updated its advice to manufacturers of 2024-25 formula COVID-19 vaccines to. FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) has expressed a strong preference for use of monovalent JN.1 vaccines. The agency has further determined that the preferred JN.1-lineage for the COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 Formula) is the KP.2 strain, if feasible.

Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalization and Fatality Rates in the Prevaccination Period, United States

CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract

"Few precise estimates of hospitalization and fatality rates from COVID-19 exist for naive populations, especially within demographic subgroups. We estimated rates among persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States during May 1–December 1, 2020, before vaccines became available. Both rates generally increased with age; fatality rates were highest for persons >85 years of age (24%) and lowest for children 1–14 years of age (0.01%). Age-adjusted case hospitalization rates were highest for African American or Black, not Hispanic persons (14%), and case-fatality rates were highest for Asian or Pacific Islander, not Hispanic persons (4.4%). Eighteen percent of hospitalized patients and 44.2% of those admitted to an intensive care unit died. Male patients had higher hospitalization (6.2% vs. 5.2%) and fatality rates (1.9% vs. 1.5%) than female patients. These findings highlight the importance of collecting surveillance data to devise appropriate control measures for persons in underserved racial/ethnic groups and older adults."

The Promise of New Vaccines Against Respiratory Viruses

AAP Pediatrics

• "Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3) are common causes of acute respiratory virus infection, leading to lower respiratory tract illness, including pneumonia, and the need for acute medical care."
• "In this issue of Pediatrics, Ghamloush et al describe the safety and immunogenicity of 2 doses of a bivalent, messenger RNA (mRNA)-based, lipid nanoparticle vaccine targeting hMPV and hPIV3 fusion (F) viral proteins among seropositive 12- to 59-month-old children."
• "[Their] results suggest that a vaccine can induce protective immunity to hMPV and hPIV3."
• Given recent scientific advances, specifically with regard to utilizing mRNA vaccine technology, and the rapid development of new candidate vaccines, the prospect of more effectively tackling emerging infectious diseases and/or simplifying vaccination schedules is becoming a reality.

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 June 04, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 30 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 1 state and territory, and are stable or uncertain in 18 states and territories."

FluView - A Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report

CDC

Key Points (Updated June 14)

• "Seasonal influenza activity remains low nationally."
• "CDC estimates that there have been at least 35 million illnesses, 390,000 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).

Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update

CDC

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.

Announcements

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. 

Upcoming Events and Meetings

NJIN Meeting Schedule

June 26, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

July 10, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Steering Committee

8:30am - 9:30am

July 17, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN General Membership Meeting

12:00pm - 1:00pm

July 24, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

More Upcoming Events

September 7, 2024 (Sat)

Mansfield Health Fair

10:00am - 2:00pm

Hosts: Virtua Health

September 26, 2024 (Thu)

Back to School Webinar

Hosts: NJIN

October 30, 2024 (Wed)

Adult Immunization Conference Webinar

Hosts: NJIN

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.

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.