Category: News

National Trends in Immunization Coverage – Teens

Posted on by Kate Smith

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination of children aged 11–12 years with tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap); quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY); and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (which may begin at age 9 years). At age 16 years, adolescents should receive a booster dose of MenACWY. In addition, persons aged 16–23 years may receive serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) on the basis of shared clinical decision-making. Adolescents should also catch up on missed childhood vaccines, stay current with COVID-19 vaccinations, and receive an annual influenza vaccine. CDC analyzed data from the 2023 National Immunization Read More …

Donald Trump vs. Vaccines

Posted on by Kate Smith

In Dr. Paul Offit’s latest post on his substack, Beyond the Noise, he states: At a campaign rally on June 22, 2024, former president Donald Trump told a crowd of cheering fans, “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate.” Given that every public school in the United States has vaccine mandates, this would mean eliminating all federal funding for public schools. Will Trump’s statement pressure schools to eliminate mandates? More to the point, why are school vaccine mandates important? The best way to understand school vaccine mandates is through the lens of measles virus, the Read More …

We the People Vax

Posted on by Kate Smith

During the 2024 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships, the ICD was honored to become a member of We the People Vax, a group of statewide Immunization coalitions and health organizations across the nation that have joined together to promote vaccines’ efficacy and safety by raising awareness of the patriotism of vaccinating through social media campaigns!

Vaccinate Your Family: 2023 Annual Report

Posted on by Kate Smith

“Building a Culture of Immunization Through Partnerships” 2023 marked 30 years since the Vaccines For Children Program (VFC) was signed into law. This year’s Report reflects on the more than 1 million lives saved thanks to childhood vaccines in the U.S. in the VFC era and proposes a roadmap back to a culture of immunization based on collaboration. Inside Vaccinate Your Family’s 2023 Annual Report you’ll find: A letter from CEO, Amy Pisani Celebrating 30 years of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program Summaries of Vaccinate Your Family’s key programs, partnerships, platforms, and policies Read the report here: https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/about-us/funding/

Florida Measles Outbreak

Posted on by Kate Smith

From Katelyn Jetelina and Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD (Your Local Epidemiologist) The measles outbreak at a Florida elementary school has grown to 8 cases and counting. We have measles outbreaks all the time (although the rate is increasing due to vaccine hesitancy), but this one came with a new controversy. The Florida State Health Department released a letter with a surprising new recommendation that contradicts standard of practice guidelines for measles outbreaks in two big ways: Isolation. It stated that unvaccinated kids who were exposed to measles could continue to attend school. This is unprecedented. Those with no prior immunity Read More …

DPH Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure

Posted on by Kate Smith

The Delaware Division of Public Health Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure DOVER, Del. (Jan. 8, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure in a Delaware health care facility. On January 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual. While infectious, the individual sought care at a healthcare facility in Delaware on December 29, 2023. In response to this exposure, DPH is acting to quickly identify and prevent the spread of disease. Officials are working to identify anyone who may have been Read More …

FDA Approves Maternal RSV Vaccine

Posted on 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 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 …