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November/December 2018
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VVFC Restructure
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A new region will be incorporated in the Division of Immunization’s VVFC program by January 2019. The inclusion of a sixth region in metropolitan Northern Virginia may result in offices statewide being contacted and visited by a new consultant.
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New Medicaid HMOs
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Adolescent Vaccine Coverage Data
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On August 24, CDC published National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years—United States, 2017 in MMWR. One of the findings was that fewer adolescents in rural areas, compared with youth in urban areas, are getting the HPV and meningococcal conjugate vaccines.
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In 2017, the percentage of adolescents who received the first dose of the HPV vaccine was 11 percentage points lower in rural areas compared to urban areas. The percentage of adolescents receiving the first dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine was 7 percentage points lower in rural areas compared to urban areas.
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CDC has a number of resources to assist clinicians in rural areas to improve adolescent vaccination rates, including information about how to make an effective vaccine recommendation and/or effective vaccine referral. Access these resources by clicking on the graphic below. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/pdfs/mm6733a1-H.pdf
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Holiday Preparations
Vaccine shipments from McKesson will be HELD as follows:
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- November 12th, and November 21st-23rd.
- December 12/24-12/28 and 12/31. Providers are encouraged to order by noon on December 14th.
- January hold 1/1/2019.
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The Order Center will not enter direct-ship orders to avoid deliveries from Merck during these time periods. However, a few direct-shipments might arrive from Merck since they cannot be held as done with refrigerated vaccines shipped by McKesson. Providers should indicate any changes to routine hours on the order form and should order vaccine mindful of their Holiday closures.The Order Center will not enter direct-ship orders to avoid deliveries from Merck during these time periods. However, a few direct-shipments might arrive from Merck since they cannot be held as done with refrigerated vaccines shipped by McKesson. Providers should indicate any changes to routine hours on the order form and should order vaccine mindful of their Holiday closures.
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Flu Vaccine for 2018-19
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Injectable and intranasal flu vaccine presentations are available. Please notify the Order Center if you need additional doses.
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Adult Vaccine Update
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Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccine Resource
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Hep A outbreaks are occurring in multiple states across the U.S. increasing awareness of the importance of protection through Hep A vaccine. IAC recently revised its resource for healthcare professionals titled Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patients Get the Correct Dose. Changes were made to incorporate the recently licensed 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccine. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2081.pdf
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Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide.
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The guide was written to assist medical practices to improve their adult vaccination services. It suggests creating standing orders documents for times when a supervising clinician is not available to write orders. This is a simple but powerful step. The guide is available on the IAC website at www.immunize.org/guide. Templates for standing orders can be found here: http://www.immunize.org/standing-orders/
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Expanded Use of Gardasil 9
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The FDA announced approval of expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include adults 27 through 45 years old. Providers will be notified when the age indication is published in the MMWR allowing them to serve the expanded age group.
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Gold Star Awards (August/September)
Outstanding VVFC Compliance
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Children First Inc., Dumfries
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Greater Prince William CHC, Dumfries
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Greater Prince William CHC, Woodbridge
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Kids First Pediatrics of Stafford, Stafford
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Pediatric Associates of PWC, Manassas
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Pediatric Associates of Winchester, Winchester
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Physicians to Children, Roanoke
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Royal Oak Pediatric Associates, Marion
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Tazewell Health Department, Century Pediatrics in Herndon, and Wellness Peds in Vienna are recognized for excellent inventory management, storage and documentation
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