Immunization Works September 2017
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October 3, 2017: Content on this page kept for historical reasons.
Influenza/MMWR
2017–2018 Flu Vaccination Campaign Kick-Off Event: On September 28, 2017, a panel of leading medical and public health experts held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to address the topic of influenza and encourage all people 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza. They discussed preparations for the 2017–18 flu season and encouraged people to begin their flu vaccination campaign efforts. The event was hosted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and panelists discussed recommendations for 2017–18 and the final vaccination rates for the 2016–17 flu season.
As you make plans to encourage flu vaccination this season, check out CDC’s campaign toolkit website. The toolkit includes social media content, posters, and important events.
Influenza Vaccination Coverage in the U.S. during the 2016–17 Influenza Season: This online report is posted on FluVaxView to coincide with the NFID press conference and is the official release of the final influenza vaccination coverage estimates for the U.S. for the 2016–17 influenza season. To estimate influenza vaccinations received between July 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017, CDC analyzed National Immunization Survey-Flu (NIS-Flu) data for children 6 months through 17 years and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for adults older than 18 years. For the 2016–17 influenza season, 59.0% of children 6 months through 17 years received an influenza vaccination according to parent report. For children, vaccination coverage for the 2016–17 season was not significantly different from the 2015–16 season. For adults, there was a 1.6 percentage point increase compared with the 2015–16 season. For the 2016–17 season, 43.3% of adults older than 18 years were vaccinated based on self-report. This report provides national estimates by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity, as well as links to place of influenza vaccination estimates for children and more detailed age group by race/ethnicity tables. Additional estimates, such as monthly estimates for each state, each Health and Human Services region, and the U.S. by age and racial/ethnic groups, are provided by web links to the FluVaxView Interactive Reports, which have interactive maps, figures, and tables.
Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Health Care Personnel in the U.S. during the 2016–17 Influenza Season: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all health care personnel (HCP) receive an annual influenza vaccination to reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality among HCP and their patients and absenteeism among HCP. CDC conducted an opt-in Internet panel survey of 2,438 HCP to estimate influenza vaccination coverage among U.S. HCP during the 2016–17 influenza season. Overall, 78.6% of survey respondents reported receiving a vaccination during the 2016–17 season, similar to reported coverage in the previous three influenza seasons. Vaccination coverage continued to be higher among HCP working in hospitals (92.3%) and lower among HCP working in ambulatory (76.1%) and long-term care settings (68.0%). As in previous seasons, coverage was highest among HCP who were required by their employer to be vaccinated (96.7%) and lowest among HCP working in settings where vaccination was not required, promoted, or offered onsite (45.8%). Implementing workplace strategies shown to improve vaccination coverage among HCP, including vaccination requirements or active promotion of onsite vaccinations at no cost, can help ensure health care personnel and patients are protected against influenza. Please read the September 28 MMWR for the full report.
Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Pregnant Women in the U.S. during the 2016–17 Influenza Season: Since 2004, ACIP has recommended influenza vaccination for all women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season, regardless of trimester. To assess influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women during the 2016–17 influenza season, CDC analyzed data from an Internet panel survey conducted during March 28–April 7, 2017. Among 1,893 survey respondents pregnant at any time during October 2016–January 2017, 53.6% reported vaccination before (16.2%) or during (37.4%) pregnancy, similar to coverage in the preceding four seasons. Overall, 67.3% of women reported receiving a provider offer of influenza vaccination, 11.9% received a recommendation but no offer, and 20.7% received no recommendation, similar to the preceding season. Vaccination coverage among these women was 70.5%, 43.7%, and 14.8%, respectively. Among women who received a provider offer of vaccination, vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity, education, insurance type, and other sociodemographic factors. Use of evidence-based practices such as provider reminders and standing orders could reduce missed opportunities for vaccination and increase vaccination coverage among pregnant women. Please read the September 28 MMWR for the full report.
What’s New for the 2017–2018 Flu Season: For the 2017–18 season, ACIP continues to recommend annual flu vaccination with only inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccines (RIVs) for everyone age 6 months and older. ACIP renewed the recommendation that LAIV4, also known as nasal spray flu vaccine, should not be used. Vaccine viruses recommended for inclusion in the 2017–18 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines are an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008–like virus (Victoria lineage). Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will contain these three viruses and an additional influenza B vaccine virus, a B/Phuket/3073/2013–like virus. This season, pregnant women may receive any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate influenza vaccine. Please read the August 25 ACIP recommendations for additional information.
On September 13, CDC’s Influenza Division hosted a one-hour webinar to give updated information on the 2017–18 influenza season and influenza vaccines. The archived webinar will be posted soon on the NCIRD netconference web page.
For more information about how serious flu illness can be and the benefits of flu vaccination, talk to your doctor or other health care professional, visit the CDC influenza website, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines in the U.S. during the 2017–2018 Influenza Season: Influenza viruses typically circulate widely in the U.S. annually from late fall through early spring. Although most persons infected with influenza viruses will recover, influenza can cause serious illness and death, particularly among older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions. CDC estimates that from 2010–11 to 2013–14, influenza-associated deaths in the U.S. ranged from a low of 12,000 (during 2011–2012) to a high of 56,000 (during 2012–13).
Annual influenza vaccination is the primary means of preventing influenza and its complications, and routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons age 6 months and older has been recommended by CDC and ACIP since 2010. Various influenza vaccines are available and the abbreviations for the different types of vaccine have evolved over time. For additional information on the updated ACIP recommendations and guidance for vaccine providers on the use of influenza vaccines during the 2017–18 flu season, please visit the seasonal influenza web page.
Vaccine Administration: As the 2017 influenza season begins, it is important to remember that you call the shots when it comes to safe vaccination. To promote safe vaccination, CDC has launched a campaign to educate and remind providers about proper influenza vaccine administration techniques to help avoid shoulder injuries and other adverse events. Shoulder injuries like bursitis and tendinitis resulting from improper injection technique are errors that can easily be avoided. These errors are more likely to occur among adults than children.
Get comprehensive vaccine administration information and watch a short video on the correct technique for intramuscular injection. The You Call the Shots module on vaccine administration is also available and you can earn continuing education (CE) for viewing the module and completing an evaluation.
Resources and Information
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 13th Edition (the Pink Book): Published by CDC, NCIRD, and the Public Health Foundation (PHF), the Pink Book provides health care professionals with the most comprehensive information available on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. The Pink Book is available for purchase from the PHF Learning Resource Center, and the chapters and appendices can be viewed/downloaded from the NCIRD vaccines site.
Webinar Series for Pink Book: This online series of 15 webinars provides an overview of vaccination principles, general recommendations, immunization strategies, and specific information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. Each webinar will explore a chapter from the 13th edition of the Pink Book. The webinars started on June 14 and will air live most Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. EDT through October 11, 2017. Check the schedule for live webcasts, and view recordings at your convenience online at the Pink Book webinar web page.
You must register in advance for the live webinars. After registering, you will receive event access information via e-mail. Each webinar is limited to 1,500 participants, so please log in early to secure a virtual “seat.” If a webinar is full or if you miss a live event, you can watch it later at the Pink Book webinar web page. Webcasts will be posted within a few days after the live event. Continuing Education (CE) will be available for each event.
Vaccine Administration e-Learn Now Available: A new e-Learn on vaccine administration is now available. Proper vaccine administration is critical for ensuring that vaccines are both safe and effective. Vaccine administration errors happen more often than you might think. Of the average 36,000 reports received annually by VAERS, about 1,500 are directly related to administration error.
Some of the most common vaccine administration errors include:
- Not following the recommended immunization schedule
- Administering improperly stored or expired vaccine and/or diluent
- Administering the wrong vaccine—confusing look-alike or sound-alike vaccines such as DTaP/Tdap or administering products outside age indications
The e-Learn is a free, interactive, online educational program that serves as a useful introductory course or a great refresher on vaccine administration. The self-paced e-Learn provides comprehensive training, using videos, job aids, and other resources to accommodate a variety of learning styles, and offers a certificate of completion and/or Continuing Education (CE) for those that complete the training.
For more information, please contact nipinfo@cdc.gov.
Current Issues in Immunization NetConferences: Immunization netconferences are live, one-hour events combining an online visual presentation with simultaneous audio via telephone conference call, along with a live question-and-answer session. Registration, Internet access, and a separate phone line are needed to participate. Please visit the netconference web page for information on upcoming netconferences and to view archived webcasts. The latest netconference, “Influenza Update,” was held September 13 and the archived webcast will be posted soon.
You Call the Shots Modules: You Call the Shots is a web-based training course developed through the Project to Enhance Immunization Content in Nursing Education and Training. The Vaccine Administration module has recently been updated and is now available. Please visit the You Call the Shots web page for additional information and other modules. Continuing Education (CE) is available for viewing a module and completing an evaluation.
ACIP Meeting: ACIP comprises medical and public health experts who develop recommendations for the use of vaccines in the U.S. The recommendations stand as public health guidance for the safe use of vaccines and related biological products. ACIP meetings are held quarterly, and the next meeting will be October 25–26, 2017. Please visit the ACIP meeting web page for additional information, including presentation slides and agendas.
Measles Resources: CDC aims to continue increasing awareness of measles among individuals and families and to encourage MMR vaccination. To support disease prevention and vaccination educational efforts, CDC has developed a variety of measles and vaccination resources, including fact sheets, podcasts, and matte articles. There are also infographics available in English and Spanish.
CDC and Medscape: This special series of commentaries, part of a collaboration between CDC and Medscape, is designed to deliver CDC’s authoritative guidance directly to Medscape’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers. In this series, CDC experts offer video commentaries on current topics important to practicing clinicians. NCIRD has contributed to a variety of commentaries. You will need to sign up and log in as a member to view the commentaries and registration is free.
Immunization Resources: Publications are available for ordering at CDC-INFO on Demand. You can search for immunization publications by using the “Programs” drop-down menu and selecting “Immunization and Vaccines,” or you can search by “Title.” Numerous items are available for ordering.
CDC Job Openings: CDC is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified candidates for a wide range of immunization and other positions. Researchers, medical officers, epidemiologists, and other specialists are often needed to fill positions within CDC. For a current listing, including international opportunities, please visit CDC’s employment web page.
Calendar of Events
Take a Stand Conference, Indiana Immunization Coalition, October 5, Indianapolis, IN
22nd Annual Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, October 12, Marlborough, MA
Washington Vaccine Update, Washington State Department of Health and WithinReach, October 27, Seattle, WA
Pink Book Course, Wake Forest School of Medicine, November 1–3, Winston Salem, NC
Fall Clinical Vaccinology Course, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), November 3–5, Bethesda, MD
13th Annual Ohio Immunization Conference, Immunize Ohio, November 15, Springfield, OH
Texas Immunization Conference, Texas Department of State Health Services, November 28–30, San Antonio, TX
Related Pages
- Page last reviewed: October 3, 2017 (archived document)
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