Special Edition MVCP Newsletter: Respiratory Illness Season 2024-2025

The 2024-2025 respiratory illness season is quickly approaching and the time for planning to prevent respiratory disease is upon us. The Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project (MVCP) recognizes that as a healthcare provider, you are critical in this work. We are reaching out to you for your assistance in promoting vaccination to reduce respiratory disease across Massachusetts ahead of, and during, the upcoming respiratory illness season. We are also sharing a number of resources below to assist you in promoting respiratory vaccines and improving uptake among your patients.

Here at the Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project we are committed to increasing vaccine confidence and ensuring that all Massachusetts residents are protected against vaccine preventable diseases.

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RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Check Vaccination Status and

Make Strong

Recommendations

Assess a patient’s vaccination status at all clinical encounters and strongly recommend all respiratory season vaccines.

Resource (CDC): Key Strategies for Making Vaccine Recommendations
Resource (American Academy of Pediatrics): Communicating with Families About How to Protect Against Fall and Winter Respiratory Viruses

Use Motivational Interviewing

Utilize Motivational Interviewing when encountering a lack of vaccine confidence. Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based conversation style that creates space in which patients can talk through their decision with your guidance.

Resource (Boost Oregon): Vaccine Conversations: Motivational Interviewing Demonstrations, Live!
Resource (Boost Oregon): Could Practicing Motivational Interviewing Prevent Burnout?

Use Prompts and Standing orders

Utilize prompts in the electronic health record (EHR) to remind you that vaccines are due and use standing orders to assess a patient’s immunization status and to administer vaccinations.

Resource (Mass DPH): Model Standing Orders

Reminders and Recall Systems

Use immunization reminder and recall systems to identify and notify patients who are behind on immunizations (recall) or due soon (reminder).

Resource (AAP): Reminder and Recall Strategies

IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Key Messages This Season

Multiple studies show health care providers are the most trusted source of health information for their patients.
Immunization against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the best way to safeguard against hospitalizations, long-term health impacts, and death.
Educating patients about the fall and winter virus season will provide patients with a full set of tools to keep themselves and their families safe from respiratory diseases this season.

Immunization Recommendations

Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the seasonal influenza vaccine.
All young infants should be protected against severe RSV disease through one of the following:
Vaccination of pregnant people 32 through 36 weeks of gestation (Pfizer Abrysvo only) from September through January.
Immunization of infants less than 8 months born during or who are entering their first RSV season with nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody. Nirsevimab should be administered October 1 through March 31.
Some children aged 8 through 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease should receive nirsevimab when entering their second RSV season. Nirsevimab should be administered October 1 through March 31.
All adults age ≥75 years should receive a one-time dose of RSV vaccine. Additionally, adults 60 to 74y at high risk for severe RSV disease should receive a one-time dose of RSV vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccines are routinely recommended for very young children, adults age ≥ 65 years and for people with high risk conditions.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHT - FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU

Families Fighting Flu educates about the seriousness of influenza and the importance of annual vaccination so that no one suffers serious flu complications or death. Their family stories put a face to the flu and illustrate why they are so driven in their mission. Watch their short, powerful video here.

MAINTAINING MENTAL HEALTH DURING RESPIRATORY SEASON

The respiratory season can take a toll not just on physical health but also on mental well-being. Here are some tips to stay mentally healthy:

1. Stay Connected: Use technology to keep in touch with family and friends. Virtual gatherings can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

2. Maintain a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can provide structure and a sense of normalcy. Include activities that promotes relaxation and enjoyment.

3. Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax, such as reading, exercising, or practicing mindfulness. Taking time for yourself can improve your overall well-being.

4. Seek Support: If you are feeling overwhelmed, reach out to mental health professionals. Many providers offer telehealth

services, making it easier to access support from the comfort of your home.

5. Stay Informed, Not Overwhelmed: Keep updated on the latest health guidelines and news, but try to limit exposure to distressing news. Balance staying informed with taking breaks from media consumption.

By prioritizing mental health, we can better cope with the challenges of respiratory season and support our overall well-being.

TRAININGS AND WEBINARS

WEBINAR: 2024-2025 Influenza Season Update

Presenter: Lisa Grohskopf, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WEBINAR: Families Fighting Flu - A Father’s Story – Storytelling and Motivational Interviewing to Increase Influenza Vaccine Uptake

Presenter: Jeb Teichman, MD, FAAP

ON DEMAND WEBINAR: Accessible Vaccination: A First Step Towards Health Equity

Presenter: Danielle Hall, Director, Health Equity Initiative, Autism Society

On Demand - Click to watch

ON DEMAND WEBINAR: Pregnancy and Newborn Immunization During the 2024-2025 Respiratory Illness Season

Presenters: Ai-Ris Collier, Naima Joseph, Mary Beth Miotto

On Demand - Click to watch

Vaccination Community Navigator Training - The Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project is excited to offer a new program for Community Health Workers/Promotores through Vaccinate Your Family to improve Community Health Workers’ ability and confidence to encourage vaccination and navigate people to vaccine services. Click here for more information.

29th Annual Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: DCU Center - Worcester, Massachusetts

This full-day, in-person pediatric conference will provide up-to-date information on the field of pediatric immunization with an emphasis on current immunization recommendations and general immunization updates. Some of our guest presenters include: Time Magazine's 100Health: Katelyn Jetelina and U Mass Medical's Grace Ryan, PhD, MPH.