Dear coalition members, 
 

I hope everyone is doing well.  Below is a compilation of recent news, educational opportunities, and resources for adult vaccination.  If you have an additional news, an educational opportunity, or resource you'd like to see on this list, or if you have a question, please reach out to me at amy_sgueglia@jsi.com. 

Looking for a back issue of these emails?  These emails are being archived on the NEW Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition Website.  

Take care, 

Amy Sgueglia
Coalition Facilitator
 

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IMMUNIZATION NEWS

Updated Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations for Adults 19+

The CDC published new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for adults 19 years or older who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown. CDC now recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for adults 19 through 64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors and all adults 65 years or older. You can read the complete policy note to see all the details, including clinical guidance.
 
Highlights from the new recommendations include:

• Everyone 65 years or older should receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, either PCV15 or PCV20. If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23. This means there is no longer a shared clinical decision-making recommendation for this age group.
• Everyone 19 through 64 years or older with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors should receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, either PCV15 or PCV20. If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23. There is no longer a complex set of recommendations that depend on which condition a patient has; the same recommendation applies regardless of which underlying medical condition or other risk factor is present.
• These new recommendations apply to all adults who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown.

 
CDC has updated its pneumococcal vaccine web content to reflect these new recommendations and the PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor app will be updated shortly.
 
The 2022 Adult Immunization Schedule, to be released February 18, will reflect these changes.
 

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Moderna has received full US FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccine "Spikevax."  Please read the Moderna website for more information.  
 

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MDPH Weekly Influenza Update - 1/28/2022

Please click HERE to access the report.

Please clinic HERE to access previous reports from the 2021 - 2022 Flu Season.
 

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MPDH Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Update - 1/26/2022

Please click HERE to access the weekly update

Please clinic HERE to access previous COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates

 

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

 
Title: Communication/Motivational Interviewing Skills to Address Vaccine Hesitancy Training

Dates: February 11th, 2022. 12:00-1:30 PM ET

This training opportunity is being put on MDPH and PNQIN (Perinatal Neonatal Quality Improvement Network) in partnership with Center for Integrated Primary Care at UMass Chan Medical School as a part of PNQIN's Perinatal COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative. This training is a 90 minute webinar (12-1:30pm EST) designed to improve the counseling skills of Massachusetts clinicians for discussing COVID-19 vaccination with pregnant and postpartum people, parents and caregivers of young children, and families. The training will also focus on addressing vaccine hesitancy and reducing racial disparities in rates of COVID-19 vaccination.
 
While this training is geared toward clinicians, anyone can benefit and therefore you do not have to be a clinician to attend.  

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IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES

 

New Interactive Tool Provides Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Discussions with Patients

Approaching the conversation of COVID-19 vaccines effectively and confidently is crucial to the health and safety of patients and communities. A recent post on the PHF Pulse Blog explores a new tool that applies motivational interviewing techniques in talking with patients. This evidence-based and empathy-driven approach can be used when helping patients move toward a healthy behavior change, matching their values and needs. Read about and explore this interactive conversation tool.
 

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