Kate Smith – Page 4 – Immunization Coalition of Delaware

Three Human Cases of West Nile Virus Identified in New Castle County

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Kate Smith

DOVER, DE (Sept. 12, 2023) – The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) has identified this year’s first human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in three men 50 years of age and older, all of whom reside in New Castle County. All three individuals who contracted WNV were hospitalized due to infection from the mosquito-borne illness. At this time, it appears that each WNV victim is likely to have contracted the disease locally, but a public health investigation is ongoing, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today. Read more

FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

Posted on September 12, 2023September 12, 2023 by Kate Smith

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today’s actions relate to updated mRNA vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Read More

FDA Approves Maternal RSV Vaccine

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Kate Smith

August 21, 2023. Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post Federal regulators on Monday approved a maternal RSV vaccine administered during pregnancy to protect infants from severe illness. It’s the latest in a new arsenal of immunizations against the common respiratory virus that is the leading cause of hospitalization in young children and kills thousands of seniors annually. Read more.

ACIP Votes Unanimously to Recommend Nirsevimab

Posted on August 3, 2023August 3, 2023 by Kate Smith

Today, ACIP voted unanimously (10 YES – 0 NO for all votes) to recommend nirsevimab for use in infants <8 months born or entering their first RSV season, and for children aged 8-19 months who are at increased risk of RSV disease entering their second RSV season (agenda and slides). The Committee also voted for the inclusion of nirsevimab in VFC: Infants aged <8 months born during or entering their first RSV reason are recommended to receive one dose of nirsevimab (50 mg for infants <5 kg and 100 mg for infants ≥5kg) Children aged 8-19 months who are at Read More …

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!

Posted on July 31, 2023July 31, 2023 by Kate Smith

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. Use these resources to help you discuss routine vaccinations with your patients and parents during NIAM and throughout the year. Check out the toolkit here!

Adolescent Immunization Action Week 2023

Posted on March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 by Kate Smith

April 3-7, 2022 Learn more from Unity (United for Adolescent Vaccination).

Improving the Vaccine Experience

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Kate Smith

Free, 1-hour webinar hosted by ImmunizeOrg, “Improving the Vaccination Experience: Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Children and Adults” at 1 p.m. ET on Feb 28. Anxiety about needles and injections affects as many as 2 out of 3 children and 1 out of 4 adults; this anxiety can contribute to dreading, delaying, or avoiding vaccinations, even when the importance of preventing illness is understood. The good news is that there are safe, effective, and practical steps that those who administer vaccines and vaccine recipients or their caregivers can take to reduce vaccination-related pain and anxiety and increase confidence in vaccination. Read More …

Author: Kate Smith