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Up First
- U.S. measles outbreaks prompt state health advisory
- AAP and Project First Line develop resource on how to diagnose measles
- COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for 65 and older
- Mpox vaccine to be commercially available
- Wyoming Immunization Conference registration
- Last iron lung patient dies
Public Vaccine Program
- Updated VFC program private inventory requirements
- COVID-19 supply updates: short-dated vaccine
Wyoming Immunization Registry
- RSV forecasting in the WyIR
- WyIR password requirements changing soon
- Did you know: Patient daily immunization list
- Six new quick reference guides available
- WyIR Help Desk
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Training
- PreHevbrio and hepatitis B update
- Meningococcal disease update
- Wyoming Infection Prevention Summit
Resources
- Beyfortus reservation program
- Immunize.org summarizes ACIP’s February 28-29 meeting with new recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, chikungunya vaccine, and more
- Vaccine storage labels available on CDC website
- US will transition to trivalent flu vaccines for 2024-2025
- Docket consumer access resources available
- Request 2024 laminated immunization schedules now!
- Communication tools
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U.S. measles outbreaks prompt state health advisory
From the Wyoming Department of Health 03/27/2024
Amid an increase in global measles cases, there have been an increased number of domestic measles cases and outbreaks in 2024. The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that healthcare providers ensure that children are current on measles vaccinations. U.S. residents over the age of 6 months traveling internationally, regardless of destination, should be current on their MMR vaccinations. This health advisory provides guidance on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention of measles. This health advisory expands on the CDC Health Advisory released on March 18, 2024. ...
Measles is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact. Given the currently high population immunity against measles in most U.S. communities, the risk of wide-scale spread is low. However, pockets of low coverage leave some communities at higher risk for outbreaks.
The last measles case in Wyoming was reported in 2010.
Notify the WDH of suspected measles
Providers who suspect measles infection may submit specimens to commercial laboratories without seeking permission from WDH; however, WDH requests that providers notify us of suspect measles patients by calling the 24/7 public health emergency line at 888-996-9104. Providers should follow specimen collection, storing, and shipping requirements from the commercial laboratory.
Read the full state health advisory at this link.
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AAP and Project First Line develop resource on how to diagnose measles
From Immunize.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Project First Line developed a 1-page handout, Think Measles, to guide healthcare providers in caring for patients who present with a febrile rash illness or suspected measles. Print and use this resource in your practice.
Related Links
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COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for 65 and older
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
On February 28, 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all people ages 65 years and older should receive one additional dose of any updated (2023-2024 formula) COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer). The additional dose should be received at least four months after the last dose of COVID-19 vaccine received.
As a reminder of recommendations in place since fall 2023, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, of any age group, may receive one additional dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after the last dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Additional doses may be administered, as informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances. Any further doses should be administered at least two months after the last updated COVID-19 vaccine dose.
For detailed guidance on current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, see Table 1 and Table 2 of the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States.
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Mpox vaccine to be commercially available
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Bavarian Nordic, the maker of JYNNEOS, has notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of plans to make the vaccine available for ordering on the commercial market beginning April 1.
Currently, sites are ordering JYNNEOS from the ASPR Strategic National Stockpile’s (SNS) smallpox vaccine supply. As commercial availability ramps up for use against mpox, HHS will wind down ordering and distribution of the SNS supply of JYNNEOS. The transition to out-of-cycle ordering is expected to take place on April 30, 2024. Any requests or orders to USG should only be made to support access in circumstances where commercial product is not available or accessible. Ordering from the SNS supply is expected to close in early-to-mid-August 2024.
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Registration is now open for attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors for the Wyoming Immunization Conference, June 25-27, in Laramie. Highlights include a meningitis survivor story, the latest clinical recommendations, Wyoming Immunization Registry training, and more. Visit our website for more information. Continuing education for this activity is pending. See the final announcement for details. | |
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Last iron lung patient dies
Kelly Douglas, Health Communication Specialist
Paul Alexander, of Dallas, died on March 11, 2024. Alexander was the longest surviving iron lung patient, using the machine from the time he was paralyzed by polio as a child in 1952. He was 78 years old.
Alexander earned his law degree and was a practicing attorney. He learned to breathe using his throat muscles so that he could spend time outside of the iron lung, however he was never able to completely stop using it.
The iron lung was invented in 1929 at Harvard Medical School in Boston. It uses vacuum pressure to force a patient to breathe. The machine was used often during polio outbreaks, becoming a symbol of the harm caused by poliomyelitis disease.
The polio vaccine was developed in 1952 and was widely used in the United States beginning in 1955. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children receive four doses of the polio vaccine beginning at 2 months old.
Visit these sites to learn more:
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Updated VFC program private inventory requirements
Aundrea Brown, Public Vaccine Program Manager
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) announced updated Vaccines for Children (VFC) program policy flexibilities, which will allow VFC providers temporary flexibility to meet the private inventory requirements for nirsevimab and COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, the Wyoming Immunization Unit will not require VFC providers to carry nirsevimab or COVID-19 vaccine privately. VFC providers will tentatively be required to carry private inventory for COVID-19 vaccine and nirsevimab by August 31, 2025, according to CDC.
Please reach out to the Public Vaccine Program team at wdh.pvpreporting@wyo.gov if you have any questions regarding this update.
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COVID-19 supply updates: short-dated vaccine
Aundrea Brown, Public Vaccine Program Manager
Publicly supplied COVID-19 vaccine expiration dates are shorter than those for other routine vaccines and will continue to shorten as we approach the end of the season.
COVID-19 doses distributed by McKesson and those directly shipped from the manufacturer will continue to ship until the vaccines are within 30 days of expiry. This is the same approach used for flu vaccines and helps to reduce vaccine wastage.
To manage this reduction in shelf life for COVID-19 vaccines toward the end of the vaccination season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends providers order smaller quantities of vaccine (3-4 weeks of usage) and utilize more frequent orders, if needed.
Please reach out to the Public Vaccine Program team at wdh.covidenrollment@wyo.gov if you have any questions regarding this update.
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Wyoming Immunization Registry | |
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RSV forecasting in the WyIR
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
An update recently occurred within the Wyoming Immunization Registry (WyIR) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) forecasting.
For infants 0 through 7 months old, there will be a forecast for RSV. This forecast is for a dose of nirsevimab (Beyfortus). The forecast will drop off if a dose is administered, or once the infant reaches 8 months old.
For adults 60 years and older, a forecast for RSV will appear on the date of the 60th birthday. This forecast is for a dose of RSV vaccine, either Arexvy or Abrysvo.
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WyIR password requirements changing soon
Janice Carney, Immunization Registry Records and Data Manager
The password requirements for the Wyoming Immunization Registry (WyIR) are changing. Beginning in April 2024, all WyIR user passwords must contain all of the following elements.
- At least nine (9) characters in length
- Include at least one (1) character from each of the following four criteria:
- Uppercase letters;
- Lowercase letters;
- Numbers; and
- Punctuation and other special characters (e.g., $,!,@)
This change comes as a result of updates to WyIR policies and procedures to better align with Immunization Unit Administrative Rules and Wyoming Department of Health policies.
In anticipation of the changes to password requirements, WyIR users can proactively change their passwords in the WyIR. Please see the Password Management for WyIR Quick Reference Guide (pdf) on the Immunization Unit website.
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Patient daily immunization list
Providers can run a report in the Wyoming Immunization Registry that lists patients who were administered vaccines on a specific date. The total number of patients and total number of vaccinations will be listed at the bottom of the report. The report is called the Patient Daily Immunization List. To run this report, click the Reports > Report Module > Patients > Daily Patient Immunization List link to open the Daily Patient Immunization List page. Enter the search criteria and click “Create Report.” The report is displayed in a separate browser tab and can be printed using the browser's print function.
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Six new quick reference guides available now
Immunization Unit staff
The Immunization Unit is updating quick reference guides to give providers a quick and easy guide for processes such as data entry and vaccine ordering. Quick reference guides are added to the website as soon as they are updated.
The following guides are now updated and available for download on the
Training Library web page:
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Upcoming webinars
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
The Immunization Unit will host two upcoming webinars.
Monday, April 22 at 12:15 pm MT - PreHevbrio and hepatitis B update
Join Eileen M. Almon, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC for a brief review of the hepatitis B disease space nationally and locally, gaps in current approaches to hepatitis B prevention, and a basic overview of PreHevbrio and its storage and use.
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 235 254 937 544
Passcode: KhLDzi
Tuesday, May 7 at 12:15 pm MT - Meningococcal disease update
Join Peter Tonsits, PharmD, for an eye-opening presentation on meningococcal disease! Diving into the epidemiology and burden of this pressing health concern, discover the latest data on its prevalence, incidence, and distribution, unveiling the true scope of its impact on communities in the US. Insight into potential changes to the vaccine schedule, as discussed by the CDC, will be presented as well.
Registration is required https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArd-yhrD4uGNc8uJtnhG6ECzi03cHVhP7A
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Wyoming Infection Prevention Summit
April 30-May 1, Best Western Downtown - Casper
From Mountain Pacific Quality Health
The Wyoming Center on Aging, Wyoming Department of Health, and Mountain Pacific Quality Health invite you to this FREE, in-person summit. Session topics include: epidemiology/outbreak management, tuberculosis, sterilization and disinfection, Legionella/water management plan, winning with leadership when the stakes are high, implementing a cleaning and disinfection program, how to outsmart burnout, infection control assessment and response (ICAR), OSHA safety, and more.
For more information visit the conference web page.
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Beyfortus reservation program
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
Sanofi has launched a reservation program for privately purchased Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
Please see the attached brochure, and reach out to your Sanofi representative with any questions.
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Immunize.org summarizes ACIP’s February 28-29 meeting with new recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, chikungunya vaccine, and more
IZ Express Issue 1745, March 6, 2024
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on February 28-29. The meeting included three votes:
- Recommendations for an additional dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine in people age 65 years and older (see the article below)
- Use of chikungunya vaccine in certain travelers and laboratory workers
- Approval for off-label use of Td (tetanus-diphtheria) vaccine in VFC-eligible children younger than age 7 years with a contraindication to pertussis vaccination
Click here for the full meeting summary.
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Vaccine storage labels available on CDC website
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
The vaccine storage labels for routinely recommended vaccines are now live on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. These include new vaccines such as mpox and respiratory syncytial virus. The labels have been updated and reformatted to be consistent with the COVID-19 vaccine labels.
These labels can also be found on the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit page along with other storage and handling resources: Vaccines Storage and Handling Toolkit | CDC.
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Docket consumer access resources available
Janice Carney, Immunization Registry Records and Data Manager
The Immunization Unit has Docket Consumer access resources available for providers to use to advertise and promote the use of Docket with patients.
Docket flyers can be printed for use. Click here for the link to the printable flyer. In addition, the Immunization Unit now has wallet-size handouts that can be shipped to providers who request them. To request these wallet-size handouts, please email Janice Carney at janice.carney@wyo.gov.
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Request 2024 laminated immunization schedules now!
Heidi Gurov, RN, Nurse Consultant
The Immunization Unit has copies of laminated 2024 ACIP Recommended Immunization Schedules available upon request. If your clinic is interested in receiving these complimentary schedules, please fill out this form https://forms.gle/weZph7dRrH1iySYD6
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Communication tools
Immunization Unit staff, Immunize.org, Mountain Pacific Quality Health
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CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) is sharing information about respiratory disease on the NCIRD Bulletin web page. Visit the page for updates on measles, flu, and more.
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Mountain Pacific has partnered with Viven Health to provide innovative and free virtual programs with a focus on pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and sepsis, to complement current infection prevention practices. Two programs have been created: the Sepsis Education Program for nursing home staff and residents and the Combined Vaccine Program, which has been individualized for staff, residents and families. Both programs stress the importance of staying up to date on vaccinations while debunking common myths and misconceptions.
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Immunize.org created a downloadable pdf with an excerpt from Baby 411, a parenting book written by Ari Brown, MD, FAAP. The excerpt, titled Clear Answers and Smart Advice About Your Baby's Shots, comes from Dr. Brown’s vaccination chapter and highlights her most recent responses to media attention regarding vaccine misinformation.
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| Autism Acceptance Month | Medicaid Awareness Month | National Minority Health Month | | |
| April 1-5 | Adolescent Immunization Action Week | | April 15-19 | Medical Laboratory Professionals Week | | April 22-26 | National Infant Immunization Week | | April 30 | National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day | | |
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Immunize.org
- Mountain Pacific Quality Health
- Wyoming Department of Health Immunization Unit staff
Questions or comments? Email the editor at kelly.douglas@wyo.gov.
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