In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we present several

vaccine-related articles and updates related to topics such as RSV, Flu, and COVID-19.

As the Summer season draws to close, we enter the Fall season, beginning with the Autumn Equinox on Sunday, September 22. Fall begins a busy stretch of time for NJIN, with a number of community events, webinars, and meetings taking place over these next few months. Details of these events can be found in this month's newsletter.

Spotlight:

Upcoming Events

NJIN General Membership Meeting

On Wednesday, September 18^th, NJIN will host guest speaker, David J. Cennimo, MD, at our General Membership meeting. Dr. Cennimo will present: Maternal Immunity - The Gift of Antibody Protection.

Back to School 2024

Best Practices for Disease Surveillance and Prevention for a Healthy School Year

NJIN invites you to attend our upcoming webinar, Back-to-School 2024: Best Practices for Disease Surveillance and Prevention for a Healthy School Year, to be held on September 26, 2024, at 8:30am-10:00am.

CME credits will be available to attendees. A link to our webpage detailing the event agenda, guest speakers, and a link to register for the event can be found below.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from the experts about the everchanging nature of disease management, surveillance strategies, reporting requirements, resource availability and vaccine recommendations as we begin the 2024-25 school year.

Adult Immunization Conference 2024:

The Vital Role of Adult Immunizations in Managing Chronic Conditions

In partnership with the American College of Physicians, NJIN will host the 2024 Adult Immunization Conference on Wednesday, October 30^th. More details to come.

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

FDA Approves and Authorizes Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants

FDA News Release

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with this formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today’s actions relate to updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc."

What You Need to Know

• "Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive three doses of the updated, authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or two doses of the updated, authorized Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine."
• "Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of the updated, authorized Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received)."
• "Individuals 5 years through 11 years of age regardless of previous vaccination are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated, authorized Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines; if previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least 2 months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine."
• "Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated, approved Comirnaty or the updated, approved Spikevax; if previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least 2 months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine."
• "Additional doses are authorized for certain immunocompromised individuals ages 6 months through 11 years of age as described in the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine fact sheets."

HHS Launches National Public Education Campaign Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season

HHS

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new national campaign today to inform the public about common respiratory viruses and available vaccines. The campaign, Risk Less. Do More., aims to increase awareness of vaccines that reduce serious illness from influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk populations and to limit the spread of these viruses among all Americans."

"Risk Less. Do More. will deliver research-based messages through paid advertising and media coverage on TV, radio, print, social, digital, and out-of-home platforms. The campaign will reach all audiences, with a particular focus on those at highest risk, including older Americans and people who may have less access to health care information and support, with facts about life-saving vaccines that can help them avoid severe illness. HHS will also partner with state and local health departments and national, state, and community organizations to ensure all audiences have access to information from sources they trust."

Earn Continuing Education Credit with CDC and ACOG Webinar on Fall and Winter Respiratory Season

ACOG

"As preparations begin for respiratory virus season this fall and winter, many health care professionals have questions about how to protect their patients and their families, themselves, and their colleagues against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Join Geeta K. Swamy, MD, FACOG, and CDC’s Dana Meaney-Delman, MD, MPH, FACOG, and Elisha Hall, PhD, RD, as they discuss vaccinations and other tools that can keep pregnant people safer this respiratory illness season."

"This event has been recorded. Continuing education credit is available and details on obtaining it will be provided at the conclusion of the webinar. The deadline to obtain continuing education credit is September 23, 2024."

Resource: Pregnancy and Vaccination

CDC

In keeping with the theme of this month's NJIN General Membership meeting, we'd like to share CDC's page on pregnancy and vaccination. The CDC provides useful information resources on the topic, including:

• For providers: Recommendations and guidelines for vaccinating pregnant patients.
• Vaccine safety information for moms-to-be.
• Guidelines for families and caregivers to help protect newborns and their vulnerable immune systems.
• And more.

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 September 3, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 7 states, declining or likely declining in 16 states, and are stable or uncertain in 25 states."
• New Jersey: Probability epidemic is growing, R_t = 0.2925 Stable or uncertain.

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.

October 26, 2024 (Sat)

Jane H. Booker Family Health Center

1828 West Lake Ave., Neptune, NJ 07754

10:00am - 2:00pm

December 6, 2024 (Fri)

Christ Baptist Church

950 Jacksonville Rd., Burlington, NJ 08016

11:00am - 2:00pm

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 Fall Family Health Fair, hosted by Virtua Health.

NJIN Meetings Schedule

September 18, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN General Membership Meeting

12:00pm - 1:00pm

September 25, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

October 9, 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.