MCAAP Immunization Initiative Update
May 2022
2022 Immunization Updates

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (MDPH) Immunization Division presents free updates on immunization-related topics for health care professionals every spring. Registration is available for the remaining Immunization Updates webinars:

Thursday, June 2, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
Vaccine Confidence with Dr. Noel Brewer

Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Compliance Training/Vaccine Storage & Handling

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM
Epidemiology of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Massachusetts

The updates will be held via webinar (no in-person sessions). The updates are free of charge; pre-registration is required. Click here for more information and to register.
COVID-19 Vaccines Update

MDPH - MCAAP Communication Regarding Administering COVID-19 Vaccines to Children 6 Months to 5 Years of Age

On May 27, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Massachusetts Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP), sent a communication to pediatricians in preparation for administering COVID-19 vaccines, once approved, to children 6 months to 5 years. Click here to read the communication.

FDA Announces Tentative Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule Regarding COVID- 19 Vaccines

On May 23, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the dates of the upcoming Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meetings due to new data from sponsors and expected submissions of emergency use authorization (EUA) requests. The new dates are as follows:

  • June 14 will be the new meeting date for the FDA and its advisory committee of external experts to discuss Moderna’s EUA request for 6 years through 17 years of age. 
  • June 15 will be the new meeting date for the Moderna EUA request for 6 months through 5 years of age and Pfizer-BioNTech EUA request for 6 months through 4 years of age, based on expected completion of an EUA submission.

Click here to read the FDA press release.

CDC Strengthens Recommendations and Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots

Following the May 19 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older. CDC now recommends that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.

Additionally, CDC strengthened its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first.

Click here to read the full CDC media statement.
Are Your Graduating High School Patients
Up to Date on Their Immunizations?

Summer will be here soon and the school year will be coming to an end. Before they head off to college or to work, check that your patients graduating from high school are up to date on recommended vaccines.

State-supplied vaccine is available through 18 years of age. Click here to access the

Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements for 2022-2023 include immunization recommendations for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students and all full-time and part-time health science students at Massachusetts colleges (post-secondary institutions).

COVID-19 vaccine also may be required for college-bound students and those heading to work.
Resource Spotlight

COVID-19 Vaccines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States webpage (updated 5/20/22)
  • Clinical Care Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination webpage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens webpage
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • COVID-19 Vaccine webpage
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative webpage
  • COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Program webpage

Catch-Up on Recommended Childhood Immunizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Who Start Late or Who Are More than 1 Month Behind, United States, 2022 webpage
  • Resources to Encourage Routine Childhood Vaccinations webpage
  • Childhood Vaccination Communication Toolkit for Clinicians
  • You Call the Shots: Vaccinating Adolescents handout

MDPH COVID-19 and Influenza Updates and Bulletins
Provider Education and Meetings

May and June 2022
MDPH
2022 Immunization Updates
See the article above for the remaining 2022 Immunization Updates schedule and topics. Click here for more information.

June 9, 2022, 12:15-1:00 PM
Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC) Webinar
ACIP Updates to Pneumococcal Vaccines
Please join the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition and Dr. Camille Kotton of Mass General Hospital and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for an educational session around the recent updates to Pneumococcal Vaccine. Click here to register for the webinar. For more information about the webinar and continuing education, please contact Amy Sgueglia at amy_sgueglia@jsi.com.

June 22-23, 2022
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Meeting
Pre-registration is not required for virtual attendance. Click here for more information.

Monday, June 28, 2022, 6:30 PM
MCAAP Immunization Initiative Advisory Committee Meeting
This meeting will be held virtually. If you would like to attend the meeting or have questions, please contact Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org).
Click here to visit our website!