Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of family physicians to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination.

During NIAM, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians encourages you to ensure your patients are up to date on recommended vaccines. Research has consistently shown that physicians are the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.

Use NIAM as an opportunity to access CDC educational resources like the Growing Up with Vaccines, What Should Parents Know and Medscape CME activities to help you have successful conversations with parents about vaccines.

The Public Health Foundation and CDC have developed a digital communication toolkit with messages and graphics tailored to your role as a family doctor and emphasizing the importance of vaccination for your patients. Show your practice’s support of vaccination throughout the month by using this content on your website and on social media. During NIAM and beyond, you can engage with CDC and other healthcare professionals on social media by using #ivax2protect in your posts.

CDC

CDC published Genetic Characterization of Measles and Rubella Viruses Detected Through Global Measles and Rubella Elimination Surveillance, 2016–2018 in the July 5 issue of MMWR (pages 587–591). On the same day, WHO’s Weekly Epidemiological Record published a similar article titled Genetic Characterization of Measles and Rubella Viruses Detected Through Global Measles and Rubella Elimination Surveillance, 2016–2018. The Summary box content from the MMWR article is reprinted below.

What is already known about this topic?
Monitoring progress toward measles and rubella elimination requires high-quality case-based surveillance, including genetic characterization of measles viruses and rubella viruses.

What is added by this report?
During 2016–2018, the number of reported measles virus genotypes declined from six to four; two (B3 and D8) accounted for 95% of reported sequences. Of 13 rubella virus genotypes, reported genotypes declined from five to two.

What are the implications for public health practice?
Diversity of measles and rubella viruses has decreased globally, consistent with progress toward elimination. Continued collection of specimens from all confirmed cases for genotyping and submission of wild-type virus sequences to global databases will strengthen case-based surveillance.

Immunize Kansas Coalition

The public hearing for the proposed regulation changes regarding vaccination for school entry, has been scheduled:

Thursday, June 27 | 10:00 a.m.
Curtis State Office Building, Room 530
1000 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS

For anyone wishing to submit comments:

• Oral: “During the hearing, all interested parties will be given a reasonable opportunity to present their views orally on the proposed regulation. In order to give each individual an opportunity to present their views, it may be necessary for the hearing office to request that each presenter limit an oral presentation to an appropriate time frame.”
• Written:  “All interested parties may submit written comments prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing to Phil Griffin” by email, fax, or mail.
  • 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 210, Topeka, KS  66612
  • Fax: 785-559-4232
  • Email: Phil.Griffin@ks.gov

Full information is available regarding: Notice of Hearing, Proposed Regulation, Economic Impact Statement

NIIW

This week marks the 25th anniversary of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) – April 27–May 4, 2019.

Here are some ideas for ways that your practice can celebrate NIIW this year:

• “Launch” NIIW by bringing in breakfast or lunch for your staff. Bring copies of CDC’s “Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants CDC-pdf[4 pages].” Use this opportunity to discuss ways that your entire practice can promote NIIW to parents. Decorate your waiting room with balloons, streamers, CDC posters, an NIIW banner, and coloring sheets.
• Promote NIIW on Facebook or Twitter.  CDC has sample tweets and Facebook posts you can use during NIIW and throughout the year.
• Run an article in your practice’s newsletter or on your website.
• Play CDC videos in your waiting room or link to them on your website:
• Print fact sheets on vaccine safety and vaccine-preventable diseases and display them in your waiting room or exam rooms:
• Encourage your nurses and receptionists to review any resources that you have displayed.

By making NIIW an event for your entire practice, you can raise awareness about the importance of immunization for protecting children in your community and be a strong voice in support of CDC’s recommended immunization schedule.