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Influenza Season is Here; Resources to Help You Vaccinate Your Patients 

IAC Express

Influenza season is now under way, and CDC has reported three influenza-associated pediatric deaths. One pediatric death occurred during the 2018–2019 season and two occurred during the 2017–2018 season. Last season, there was a record-setting number of pediatric deaths in the U.S. (185), so be sure to protect all your patients for whom vaccination is recommended. Check out the CDC Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView.

Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public:

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New Influenza Webinar

AAFP

Curious how your practice can boost influenza immunization uptake in your patient population?

Join AAFP for a free live webinar on the 2018-19 Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines Recommendations.

Webinar Registration (free)

Wednesday, September 19, 2018
12:00 – 1:00 PM CT

This webinar will focus on how family physicians and health care teams can implement updated recommendations for the 2018-19 influenza season. This webinar will also introduce evidence-based strategies and tactics to increase influenza rates for all persons, which will include a specific emphasis on patients 50 years and older and those patients with chronic diseases.

Moderated by family physicians Thomas Koinis, M.D. and Margot Savoy, M.D., this free webcast offers a review of primary updates to current influenza guidance and recommendations.

Supported through an unrestricted grant from Sanofi Pasteur.

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Two Immunization Educational Opportunities for You

KUMC / ACS

You are invited to attend two immunization educational opportunities:

Kansas Immunization Program’s Knowledge Injection Series (KIP-KIS): Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccines 2018-2019

  1. Webinar, Friday, Sept. 20 from noon to 1:00 p.m.
  2. To register,  reply to ahecpitt@kumc.edu with the information below completed.

REGISTRATION PREFERENCE:
______ Individual (single participant)

______ Organization (multiple participants from one organization)

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name of Organization/Individual:

Mailing Address:

Daytime Phone Number (required):

Email Address of Individual/Site Contact (required):

Fax Number:

Name of Site Contact Person (Only complete this field if registering as an organization):

HPV Vaccination Cancer Prevention Educational Event

  1. Educational event, Wednesday, October 17 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Also Broadcast via webinar.i
  2. For details and registration: HPV Vaccination Cancer Prevention

There is no cost to attend either event, but registration is required. Contact the KU Medical Center’s Area Health Education Centers with questions: 620-235-4040.

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New Influenza Vaccination Coding and Billing Webinars: Sept. 12-25

Sanofi

Sanofi Pasteur is now offering live influenza vaccination coding webinar events to assist you with billing accurately and appropriately this immunization season. This new program offers two viewing options across six live event dates. Registration is available at www.crackingthecodestraining.com

How to Code and Bill for Sanofi Pasteur Influenza Vaccinations for Patients of Any Age
  • 4 live event date options
How to Code and Bill for Sanofi Pasteur Influenza Vaccinations for Pediatric Patients
  • 2 live event date options

You may also view the program’s on-line modules, on demand, at your convenience, 24/7, and you’ll have access to the extensive library of coding and billing resources available on the resource page of the program, including state-specific Medicaid billing guidance.

 

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CDC releases clinical guidance for providers during the Shingrix shortage

IAC Express

In light of the current shortage of recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix; GSK), CDC has added the following Q&A to its “Frequently Asked Questions About Shingrix” web page:

Q: What is the clinical guidance during the Shingrix delay?

A: Shingrix is the preferred shingles vaccine. You and patients should make every effort to ensure that two doses are administered within the recommended interval. If more than 6 months have elapsed since the first dose, administer the second dose when possible. Do not restart the vaccine series, and do not substitute Zostavax (zoster vaccine live) for the second dose of Shingrix. If you are out of Shingrix and a patient needs a second dose, the Vaccine Finder may be helpful for patients to locate other providers that have Shingrix.

CDC still recommends Zostavax for healthy adults 60 years and older to prevent shingles. This shingles vaccine may be used in certain cases, such as when a person prefers Zostavax or requests immediate vaccination and Shingrix is unavailable. Patients who have received Zostavax are recommended to subsequently receive Shingrix. Age and time since receipt of Zostavax may be considered to determine when to vaccinate with Shingrix (minimum interval of 8 weeks).

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New study finds prenatal maternal Tdap effective in preventing pertussis in infants

IAC Express

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine published a study by Sylvia Becker-Dreps et al. titled Effectiveness of Prenatal Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in the Prevention of Infant Pertussis in the U.S. The abstract is reprinted below.

Introduction
It is recommended that all pregnant women in the U.S. receive tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization to prevent infant pertussis. This study’s objective was to examine the clinical effectiveness of prenatal Tdap, and whether effectiveness varies by gestational age at immunization.

Methods
A nationwide cohort study of pregnant women with deliveries in 2010–2014 and their infants was performed. Commercial insurance claims data were analyzed in 2016–2017 to identify Tdap receipt by the pregnant women, and hospitalizations and outpatient visits for pertussis in their infants until the infants reached 18 months of age. Pertussis occurrence was compared between infants of mothers who received prenatal Tdap (overall and stratified by gestational age at administration) and infants of unvaccinated mothers.

Results
There were 675,167 mother–infant pairs in the cohort. Among infants whose mothers received prenatal Tdap, the rate of pertussis was 43 percent lower (hazard ratio=0.57, 95% CI=0.35, 0.92) than infants whose mothers did not receive prenatal or postpartum Tdap; this reduction was consistent across pertussis definitions (hazard ratio for inpatient-only pertussis=0.32, 95% CI=0.11, 0.91). Pertussis rates were also lower for infants whose mothers received Tdap during the third trimester. Infants whose mothers received Tdap at <27 weeks of gestation did not experience reductions in pertussis rates (hazard ratio for pertussis=1.10, 95% CI=0.54, 2.25).

Conclusions
Infants of mothers who received prenatal Tdap experienced half the rate of pertussis as compared with infants of unimmunized mothers. These results do not provide evidence to support changing the currently recommended timing of Tdap administration in pregnancy.

Access the complete article:  Effectiveness of Prenatal Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in the Prevention of Infant Pertussis in the U.S.

 

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New! Vaccine Safety References page on VEC’s website

IAC Express

The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC) recently added a new web section titled Vaccine Safety References. It is a listing of journal articles developed for those who may be asked to address these issues either with their patients or more formally, in court. The page is divided into the following topics:

  • Aluminum and vaccines
  • Autism and the MMR debate
  • Diabetes and vaccines
  • DNA and vaccines
  • Formaldehyde and vaccines
  • Multiple sclerosis and vaccines
  • Thimerosal (mercury) and vaccines
  • Too many vaccines, too soon
  • Vaccine ingredients

Check out the Vaccine Safety References web section on the VEC website.

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CDC Reports Highest number of flu season Pediatric Deaths

IAC Express

The CDC issued a news report stating that the total number of 172 pediatric deaths from influenza in the 2017–18 flu season is the highest on record, excluding pandemics. The first paragraph of the CDC report appears below.

The CDC is reporting an additional pediatric flu-related death this week, bringing the total number this season to 172. This number exceeds the 2012–2013 season, which previously set the record for the highest number of flu-related deaths in children reported during a single flu season (excluding pandemics). Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. These deaths are a somber reminder of the importance of flu vaccination and the potential seriousness of flu. CDC experts have described the 2017–2018 season as a high severity season, with influenza-like-illness (ILI) remaining at or above baseline for 19 consecutive weeks, record-breaking flu hospitalization rates, and elevated pneumonia and influenza mortality for 16 weeks.

Access the full news release on the CDC website: CDC Reported Flu Deaths in Children Exceeds Seasonal High

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CDC publishes QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥60 Years Who Ever Had the Shingles Vaccine

IAC Express

CDC published QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥60 Years Who Ever Had the Shingles Vaccine, by Sex—National Health Interview Survey, 2008–2016 in the May 18 issue of MMWR. The summary paragraph is reprinted below.

The percentage of adults aged ≥60 years who ever had the shingles vaccine increased from 6.7% in 2008 to 33.4% in 2016. The percentage of men who had the vaccine increased from 4.9% to 31.2%, and the percentage of women who had the vaccine increased from 8.2% to 35.2%. For each year during 2008–2016, women were more likely than men to have had the shingles vaccine.

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Apply for Adolescent Immunization Best Practices Summit

AAFP

The AAFP is recruiting 10 family physicians for the Adolescent Immunization Best Practices Summit. If you meet the criteria, KAFP urges you to apply. Applications due by June 22, 2018.  The summit focus will be on immunizations for adolescent’s 11-18 years of age and how family physicians utilize evidence-based interventions and system changes to improve immunization rates among that age cohort. Each participant will present their best practices and lessons learned at the Adolescent Immunization Best Practices Summit. The emphasis of the summit is to have physicians summarize how their practice increased adolescent immunization through the operation of a quality improvement program or project. This will also include implementation of a team-based approach and sustainability plan within the practice.

For more information about eligibility, requirements, recognition and compensation, visit Adolescent Immunization Best Practices Summit. Questions? Contact Pamela Carter-Smith by email or phone (800)274-2237 ext. 3162.

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