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NJIN Monthly Newsletter
January 2024
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We hope that holiday season was a safe and healthy time for you and your family.
In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we present several
vaccine-related articles and updates related to topics such as RSV, Flu, and COVID-19.
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Featured Articles and Resources | |
Current Epidemic Growth Status (Based on Rt) for States and Territories
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This interactive tool from the CDC allows users to view the current COVID-19 and flu epidemic growth status for all US states and territories.
Key Points:
- As of January 6, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 18 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 3 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 31 states and territories.
- As of January 6, 2024, we estimate that influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 22 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 12 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 17 states and territories.
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Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report
(CDC FluView)
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Key Points
- An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu and vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu.
- Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most parts of the country, with the southeast and south-central areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity.
- CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine, as there are still vaccines available. Now is still a good time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.
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Flu viruses are among several viruses that contribute to respiratory disease activity. CDC is providing updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity on a weekly basis.
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Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update (CDC) | |
This interactive map from the CDC allows users to view Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity levels across the United States over time. Users can explore a number of features, including the ability to click on any state and be redirected to state-level surveillance tools and other resources. | |
US to Offer More Free COVID Tests Nationwide | |
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Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to your home.
After you’ve tested, report your result – whether it’s positive or negative! Report at-home test results to public health agencies at MakeMyTestCount.org
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Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - Vaccine Recommendation Updates | |
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At its October 2023 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices* (ACIP) approved new Recommended Immunization Schedules for Ages 19 Years or Older and for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2024. The adult immunization schedule, which can be found on the CDC immunization schedule website cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules, is published annually to consolidate and summarize updates to ACIP recommendations on the vaccination of adults and to assist health care providers in implementing current ACIP recommendations.
The 2024 immunization schedule includes several changes to the cover page, tables, notes, and appendix from the 2023 immunization schedule. In addition, the 2024 adult immunization schedule includes a new addendum section that summarizes new or updated ACIP recommendations that will occur before the next annual update to the adult immunization schedule.
Health care providers are advised to use the cover page, tables, notes, appendix, and addendum together to determine recommended vaccinations for patient populations.
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US flu and COVID levels climb higher as RSV remains elevated | |
Doctors visits and hospitalizations for flu and COVID continue to rise across much of the country, and though respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) levels are still high, activity is dropping in some areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in updates that take stock of the week between Christmas and New Years. Emergency department (ED) visits for flu and COVID are elevated for all age-groups except for school-age children. | |
The New Jersey Immunization Network is proud to announce the membership has unanimously elected Dr. Anita Kishen as 2024-2026 Co-chair. Dr. Kishen will join Dr. Naveen Mehrotra in the oversight of the program. | |
Dr. Kishen has been in Pediatric Practice since 2002. She started her own pediatric practice in 2009. Her clinical interests include childhood obesity, asthma, psycho social issues in adolescents, and developmental surveillance. In her downtime, she enjoys visiting museums and reading. | |
Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr. will be giving a presentation during NJIN's first General Membership meeting of 2024 on January 17th at 12:00pm. The presentation, titled “The Viruses are winning…,” will focus on RSV, COVID and flu. Slides are available upon request. | |
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Wed, January 17, 2024
NJIN General Membership - New NJIN Co-Chair Announcement
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Presentation: The Viruses Have It! RSV, COVID-19 & Influenza Vaccination in 2023.
Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, MACP, FAAP
Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, UAMS College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR.
Wed, January 24, 2024
NJIN Education and Events Committee
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Wed, February 14, 2024
NJIN Education and Events Committee
8:30am - 9:30am
Wed, February 28, 2024
NJIN Education and Events Committee
1:00pm - 1:30pm
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We Want to Hear From You! | |
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We at NJIN would like to encourage input from our newsletter readers. Any suggestions on topics, resources, or other ideas that you'd like to see included going forward are welcome!
Please share your feedback with NJIN Director Maria Sciancalepore via email at msciancalepore@njaap.org.
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