The BackPage - Jan/Feb 2020

New VISs

Updated vaccine information statements (VISs) for zoster/shingles (live), zoster/shingles (recombinant), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23), polio, HPV (human papillomavirus), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), rotavirus, cholera, and typhoid have been posted. We encourage providers to begin using these VISs immediately, but stocks of the previous editions may be used until exhausted. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/current-vis.html?deliveryName=USCDC_11_1-DM12112

Tdap and Td Vaccines May Be Used Interchangeably

At CDC's Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting held in October, the committee voted unanimously to approve that Td and Tdap vaccines may be used interchangeably in almost all situations where currently only Td vaccine is recommended. Specifically, Tdap may now be used instead of Td in any of the following situations:

Decennial (every 10 years) Td booster,
Tetanus prophylaxis for wound management,
Catch-up immunization schedule for persons age 7 and older, including pregnant women.

The Committee will issue a Policy Note in MMWR to clarify that children who receive a dose of Tdap at ≥10 years of age do not need to repeat the Tdap dose at age 11–12 years. Note: All recommendations approved by ACIP are provisional until they are approved by the CDC director and published in MMWR.

Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)

Visit IAC’s “Ask the Experts” web page on immunize.org to find answers to your immunization questions. The website has educational materials, and easy-to-use resources for healthcare professionals and the public. IAC’s website is located here: https://immunize.org/

HPV Champion

2019 HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention Champion Award Announced: CDC, the American Cancer Society, and the American Association of Cancer Institutes are proud to announce the winners of the 2019 HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention Champion Award. The Champion Award was established in 2017 to recognize health care professionals who are going above and beyond to foster HPV vaccination in their communities. Virginia’s champion is Elizabeth Watts from Capital Area Pediatrics. You can learn more about each champion on the HPV is Cancer Prevention Champion Award website: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/champions/winner-spotlights.html

(October/November)

Outstanding VVFC Compliance

Centerville Family Practice, Manakin Sabot

Kids First Pediatrics, Stafford

Pediatric Associates of Winchester, Winchester

Renaissance Pediatrics, Chesapeake

TPMG West Point Family Practice, West Point

Process Improvement

Greater Prince William CHC, Woodbridge

Flu Vaccine Still Available

Please notify Susan Kocen in the Order Center if you need vaccine.

Flu Pre-Book

Flu Pre-books for the 2020-21 Influenza season will be solicited via RedCap survey once available presentations are determined. The pre-book will begin in January 2020.

Flu Borrowing

Bidirectional borrowing does not apply to influenza vaccine. For seasonal influenza vaccine, providers may use private-stock seasonal influenza vaccine to vaccinate VFC-eligible children. Those private stock doses used on VFC-eligible children can later be replaced when VFC stock becomes available. This one directional borrowing exception is unique to seasonal influenza vaccine.

Adult Vaccine Update

Use of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine among Adults Age 65 and Older: Updated ACIP Recommendations

On June 26, 2019, after having reviewed the evidence accrued during the preceding three years, ACIP voted to remove the recommendation for routine PCV13 use among adults age 65 and older and to recommend administration of PCV13 based on shared clinical decision-making for adults age 65 and older who do not have an immunocompromising condition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, or cochlear implant, and who have not previously received PCV13. Please read the November 22 MMWR for the full report, located here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6846a5.htm

January/February 2020