Presenters: Elizabeth Russo, MD, Immunization Division, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH); Richard Moriarty, MD, FAAP, MCAAP

At the conclusion of the webinar, the participant should be able to:

Click here to register for the October 13 webinar.

The target audience includes healthcare professionals who provide immunizations to in Massachusetts, including MCAAP members, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants, public health workers, community health center staff, pharmacists and office staff who work in pediatric and adult health care settings.

The Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, designates this Live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Massachusetts Medical Society through the joint providership of the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, MA Dept. of Public Health and The MCAAP Immunization Initiative.

This program has been offered by the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. A maximum of 1.0 contact hours for this program will be provided in accordance with the regulations governing continuing education requirements for the following Boards of Registration:

Board of Registration in Nursing (CMR 244 5.00), Board of Registration of Social Workers (258CMR 31.00et seq), Board of Mental Health Professions (262CMR 7.00), Board of Certification of Health Officers (241CMR 4.03), Board of Registration of Sanitarians (255CMR 5.02).

Pharmacists may receive up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ in accordance with 247CMR 4.00.

Contact Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org).

Registration is ongoing for the Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) is excited to announce the 27th Annual Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference. The conference will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, as a hybrid event - both in-person and virtual participation will be offered. Please note that in-person attendance will be limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

Conference Plenary Sessions and Speakers:

Breakout sessions also are planned.

For complete conference information and to register, please visit the conference website.

Questions? Please contact Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published "Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2022–23 Influenza Season,” in the August 27 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

On September 8, Lisa Grohskopf, MD, MPH, from the Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented a 2022-2023 Influenza Season Update for the MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series. Click here to access the webinar presentation, recording, and influenza season resources.

Be on the lookout for MDPH's Weekly Flu Report. The Weekly Flu Report is published each week throughout flu season (mid-October-May). The report details the impact of flu-like illness in Massachusetts.

See the Resource Spotlight section of this newsletter for additional influenza season resources.

As a trusted partner in families’ lives, you are uniquely qualified to reach out to them about why and how to vaccinate their children and loved ones against COVID-19. By sharing your belief in the vaccine, you can help families feel confident about vaccinating their young children. By providing information about how to get the vaccine, you make it easier for them to do so.

Here are some resources that can help with your outreach:

To increase your patients’ access to COVID vaccinations: 

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being of children and for all you do to protect children and their families from COVID-19.

If you have questions, please email VaccineEquityInitiative@mass.gov at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Vaccine Equity Initiative.

Recently Published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report