A publication of the Immunization Action Coalition of WA (IACW) and WithinReach
July 2020
Greetings!

As COVID-19 remains active in our neighborhoods, state and the country, the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) and WithinReach stay committed to keeping our communities safe through social distancing, wearing masks, staying home and protecting our communities from the diseases that vaccines prevent.

In efforts to keep us all safe, we'd like to share with you some new and upcoming distant learning opportunities! First, please check out our free, new accredited e-course, “Hepatitis B Health Disparities in Refugee and Immigrant Communities” .

Secondly, we are excited to offer you two upcoming webinars: Vaccinating Unestablished Pediatric Patients  on July 28th and our virtual IACW Quarterly Meeting on July 29th to celebrate the 2020 IACW Award winners, hear from experts around WA State about immunizing during COVID-19 and preventing Hepatitis A outbreaks among incarcerated populations.

July’s newsletter also includes immunization resources, news, and information about World Hepatitis Day. 

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay vaccinated!

WithinReach
World Hepatitis Day & New Hep B E-Course
World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes places every year on July 28, bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. In 2020, the theme is "Find the Missing Millions".

Worldwide, 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware. Without finding the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer and lives will be lost. On WHD, we call on people from across the world to take action and raise awareness to find the “missing millions”.


What are we doing to bring awareness to viral hepatitis?

WithinReach in partnership with the Hepatitis B Coalition of WA and International Community Health Services launched a new e-course, “Hepatitis B Health Disparities in Refugee and Immigrant Communities” with Dr. Chia Wang. This course gives participants the tools needed to work with immigrant and refugee patients to ensure they are screened and effectively treated for hepatitis b.

The course focuses on the most up-to-date information on hepatitis b transmission and epidemiology, prevention through vaccination, screening procedures and treatment guidelines. Additionally, this course is accredited with continuing education for physicians, nurses and medical assistants. Learn more and take the course here.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Vaccinated!
In partnership with the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics , we’ve developed and launched the Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Vaccinated! campaign urging families to continue vaccinating their children during COVID-19.

Please check out our website for campaign flyers  and a social media toolkit   with images and messaging you can use on your own social media channels. Visit our website to learn more .
We know that the current situation with COVID-19 is unnerving and challenging. WithinReach remains committed to the health of families in Washington and is working to ensure you get access to the resources you need. You can reach us by calling our Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588, or online at  ParentHelp123.org .
Upcoming Webinars & Events
July 2020 Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) Meeting
July 29, 2020 12:00- 2:00 p.m. PT
Join us on July 29th from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. You will receive a Zoom meeting link via email after you register (approximately 1 week prior to the event).

July’s meeting will feature:
  • Updates from the WA State Department of Health
  • Recognition of the 2020 IACW Award winners
  • Presentation on Mitigating Hepatitis A Outbreaks in Incarcerated Communities
  • Presentations on strategies for Immunizing during COVID-19
Vaccinating Unestablished Pediatric Patients:
 A Panel About Navigating Common Challenges
July 28, 2020 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PT
This webinar is hosted in partnership with Public Health – Seattle & King County and WithinReach.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding vaccine preventable disease outbreaks is more important than ever. Your practice can play a pivotal role. By vaccinating children without a medical home and those without health insurance, you can help restore immunization rates to pre-COVID levels, prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed, and close significant equity gaps.

Immunization in the Time of COVID-19
July 13, 2020 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. PT
Join us for a very special AIRA-AIM Joint Education Steering Committee Webinar about supporting high levels of immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will include speakers from Michigan, Virginia, New York City, and AIRA and will also highlight AIRA and AIM resources that you may find helpful. 

Vaccine Facts and Fallacies: How to tell the difference
July 14, 2020 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. PT
With so much information about vaccines available today, it can be difficult to ascertain what is accurate and what is misinformation. This webinar will give you the tools to do so!

Our presenter will be Monica Kasting, PhD. Dr. Kasting is an Associate Professor of Health and Kinesiology in the Department of Public Health at Purdue University

CME and CNE will be available.

Northwest Immunization Conference
August 2020
The Northwest Immunization Conference (NWIC) is an annual event bringing together regional and national specialists to learn the latest information on immunizations and vaccine issues impacting health care practices. The curriculum is designed for a diverse field of health professionals, including immunization providers, public health advocates, epidemiologists, students of nursing and medical professions, and program managers seeking a comprehensive knowledge of immunizations.

Free E-Courses
Hepatitis B Health Disparities in Refugee and Immigrant Communities

D rop Your Assumptions and Pick Up the Evidence: Strategies for Communication with Parents About Vaccines

News

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the traditional drug development process, and now health officials and drugmakers are trying to hasten the time it takes to find a working vaccine.


Instead of bulletproof vests and security details, our local public health officials deserve the protection and support of those who appointed them, and of those they serve.

The HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) has been  approved  by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for males and females ages 9 to 45 years to prevent HPV-related genital tract and anogenital infections and cancers for several years. 

Resources

The Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience compiled a list of strategies and resources to support the health and well-being of clinicians on the frontlines of COVID-19 pandemic.



Vaccine hesitancy is now recognized as a threat to global health. Its causes are complex, and it is defined by a resistance to or questioning of immunization. It is important to address vaccine hesitancy directly before people who are hesitant become vaccine refusers or anti-vaccine.


In this brief report on COVID-19 vaccinations, we examine the five steps Congress must take to strengthen our country’s vaccine infrastructure and the three ways in which Members of Congress can help their constituents understand the value of vaccines.

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
Contact us: ic@withinreachwa.org
Making the connections Washington families need to be healthy and safe. Promoting, protecting & supporting immunization as a vital part of the health and development of children and families.

Founded in 1994, the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW), a program of WithinReach, works to improve the health of the community by minimizing the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases through the optimal use of immunizations across the lifespan.