MCAAP Immunization Initiative Update
May 2023
Upcoming Webinar
MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series

Thursday, June 29, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM
Vaccine Refresher! Preventing Vaccine Administration Errors
Presenter: JoEllen Wolicki, BSN, RN, Nurse Educator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the webinar, participants should be able to:
  • Describe common vaccine administrations errors.
  • Review the impact of common vaccine administration errors.
  • Discuss practices which can reduce or eliminate vaccine administration errors.

Click here to register for the webinar on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

Webinar Series Information
Target Audience
The target audience includes healthcare professionals who provide immunizations in Massachusetts, including MCAAP members, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants, public health workers, community health center staff, pharmacists and office staff who work in pediatric and adult health care settings.

Continuing Education Accreditation
The Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, designates this Live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Massachusetts Medical Society through the joint providership of the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, MA Dept. of Public Health and The MCAAP Immunization Initiative.

This program has been offered by the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. A maximum of 1.0 contact hours for this program will be provided in accordance with the regulations governing continuing education requirements for the following Boards of Registration:

Board of Registration in Nursing (CMR 244 5.00), Board of Registration of Social Workers (258CMR 31.00et seq), Board of Mental Health Professions (262CMR 7.00), Board of Certification of Health Officers (241CMR 4.03), Board of Registration of Sanitarians (255CMR 5.02).

Pharmacists may receive up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ in accordance with 247CMR 4.00.

Registration
Registration is free; pre-registration is required. Click here to register.

Questions?
Contact Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org).
COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Updates to COVID-19 Vaccines guidance can be found on CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States website.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
Vaccine Management Unit Update (May 2023)

COVID-19 Vaccine Brand and Trade Name Updates
Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine brand and trade names have been updated in the MIIS to reflect the updated clinical guidance released at the end of April. Please see the April 25 COVID-19 Bulletin for additional information. The updated names for the available Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine formulations are listed below:

  • Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent 6m+ (dark blue cap)
  • Previously listed as COVID-19 Moderna Bivalent 6+
  • Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent 6m-5y (dark pink cap)
  • Previously listed as COVID-19 Moderna Bivalent <6
  • Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Bivalent 12y+
  • Previously listed as Pfizer COVID-19 Pfizer Bivalent 12+
  • Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Bivalent 5y-11y
  • Previously listed as Pfizer COVID-19 Pfizer Bivalent 5-11
  • Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Bivalent 6m-4y
  • Previously listed as Pfizer COVID-19 Pfizer Bivalent <5

Please see the Resource Spotlight section for additional COVID-19 vaccine resources.
Vaccine Confidence Update

As part of its Vaccine Confidence Webinar series, the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) recently hosted, "Strengthening Vaccine Confidence: Refreshing our Conversations about Child and Adolescent Vaccinations." The webinar featured evidence-based recommendations designed to equip public health communicators, advocates, and health care providers with the needed strategies to effectively build an understanding of and support for child and adolescent vaccinations. Dr. Julie Sweetland, from FrameWorks Institute, provided participants with research-based insights to implement recommendations and build vaccine confidence across their diverse communities. Click here to access the webinar recording and additional resources.

On May 25, as part of its Immunization Updates webinar series, MDPH hosted "Vaccine Conversations That Work!" with Karen Ernst, founder of Voices for Vaccines, a family-led advocacy organization. Click here to access the presentation slides.

Thank you for all that you do to immunize Massachusetts citizens against vaccine-preventable diseases!

Click here to visit the MVCP website!
Influenza Season Update

2022-2023 Influenza Season
MDPH Weekly Flu Update
On May 28, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health published its last Weekly Flu Update for the 2022-2023 Influenza Season. Click here to access the final 2022-2023 influenza season dashboard.

2022-2023 State-Supplied Flu Vaccines
All administered vaccines, including state-supplied flu, must be reported to the Immunization Registry/Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS).

All state-supplied flu vaccines will expire by June 30, 2023. Once expired, process a "Storage/Handling Issue" in the MIIS and return expired doses to McKesson.

2023-2024 Influenza Season
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Recommendations
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for the 2023-2024 influenza season will be published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) once they are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is anticipated that the 2023-2024 influenza season recommendations will be published in August 2023.

2023-2024 State-Supplied Flu Vaccines
There will be no pre-ordering or pre-booking for the 2023-2024 state-supplied flu vaccine.
Your practice's flu allocation/ceiling limit will be based on administered doses reported to the MIIS throughout the 2022-2023 flu season.

An email regarding flu vaccine allocation/ceiling limit will be sent out in early August 2023. The email will come from dph-vaccine-management@mass.gov.
Are Your Graduating High School Patients
Up to Date on Their Immunizations?

Summer will be here soon and the school year will be coming to an end. Before they head off to college or to work, check that your patients graduating from high school are up to date on recommended vaccines.

State-supplied vaccine is available through 18 years of age. Click here to access the

Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements for 2023-2024 include immunization recommendations for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students and all full-time and part-time health science students at Massachusetts colleges (post-secondary institutions).
Resource Spotlight

COVID-19 Vaccines

Recently Published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Bulletins and Newsletters
  • Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Bulletins webpage
  • MDPH Weekly Flu Report webpage
  • MDPH Vaccine Management Update - May 2023
  • Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) Monthly Update - May 2023, Issue 14
Provider Education and Meetings

Upcoming Events and Meetings
Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 12:00 PM
MDPH Immunization Division
2023 MDPH Immunization Updates Webinars
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Compliance and Vaccine Storage & Handling
Earn your VFC Compliance Training Certificate. Click here to register.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 1:00 PM
Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC)
Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition Meeting
The meeting will be virtual. Click here to register for the meeting.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 12:00 PM
MDPH Immunization Division
2023 MDPH Immunization Updates Webinars
Epidemiology of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Massachusetts
Click here to register.

June 21-22, 2023
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
ACIP Meeting
Registration is not required to attend the meeting virtually. Click here for more information.

Thursday, June 29, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM
MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series
Vaccine Refresher! Preventing Vaccine Administration Errors
Presenter: JoEllen Wolicki, RN, BSN, Nurse Educator, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Click here for more information and to register.

Save the Date!
Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP)
28th Annual MIAP Pediatric Immunization Skills Building Conference
The meeting will be hybrid. The in-person conference will be held at the DCU Center, Worcester, MA. Conference updates will be posted as they become available.

On Demand Meetings and Recordings
MCAAP Immunization Initiative Webinar Series
Updates in ACIP Recommendations for the 2023 Childhood/Adolescent and Adult Immunization Schedules (recorded 3/9/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and resources.

Understanding Current COVID-19 and HPV Vaccination Challenges (recorded 1/26/23)
Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and resources.
Click here to visit our website!