A publication of the Immunization Action Coalition of WA (IACW) and WithinReach
September 2021

Greetings!

We hope you had a happy and healthy summer! As we enter into fall, it’s time to get our flu shots and get fully caught up on all recommended vaccines. Check out and promote our Vax to School campagin to promote the importance of vaccinating school-age kids and adolescents during COVID-19. 

On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous and scientific standards for emergency use authorization, the FDA approval of a vaccine may instill additional confidence to get vaccinated.

In addition, everyone ages 12 years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage everyone, who is able to get vaccinated and to continue wearing masks to help protect those around you, especially as flu season approaches. For more information regarding COVID-19 and vaccines, check out our COVID-19 updates and resources.

Stay safe, healthy and protect your community!

WithinReach
Community Vaccine Announcements

When Dr. Carrie Jenner talks to her patients about COVID-19, she speaks from experience. A pediatrician at the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Clinic in University Place, she contracted the virus from a patient when the pandemic first began in March 2020.



The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit issued a call to action to increase vaccination coverage among U.S. adults, given the tremendous benefits of adult vaccines and low rates of vaccination, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.



Check out these free and low-cost, back-to-school immunizations flyers from Clark County Public Health! Please share these flyers and help families find sites to get their immunizations. See below to download the flyer.



Upcoming Webinars & Events
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) will hold two interactive webinars in September to emphasize vigilance in preventing influenza in the midst of the pandemic. This first hour-long webinar will have time for an interactive discussion with the presenters and other experts.


The Washington State Department of Health is hosting an immunization webinar that will cover strategies to catch up children and adolescents on routine immunizations, and updates to school and child care immunization requirements.


September 17, 2021, 12:00 - 4:00 pm EST

Join the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and the Association of Immunization Managers for a virtual symposium that will bring together public health officials, leaders in K-12 education, health care providers and others to share best practices for improving childhood and adolescent immunization rates in school settings.


October 20, 2021, 12:00 - 2:00 pm PDT

Join us for our virtual October 2021 IACW Meeting! Presentations and a recording of this meeting will be made available after the event.


Free E-Courses

Fostering COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Russian- and Ukrainian-Speaking Communities

Hepatitis B Health Disparities in Refugee and Immigrant Communities
News

Infectious disease experts say the decline in vaccination rates against childhood diseases during the pandemic has increased the potential for outbreaks of diseases once largely vanquished in the U.S.

The risk of rare blood clotting is significantly higher as a result of catching COVID-19, than it is from being vaccinated against the virus, a new study found.

Pope Francis is adding his voice to a campaign to overcome vaccine skepticism, issuing a public service announcement insisting that vaccines are safe, effective and an "act of love."
Resources

To support a safe and healthy return to school, the Public Health Communications Collaborative and the COVID Collaborative have created a one-page resource for school administrators, educators and staff.

The following communications resources can help you answer questions about FDA approval and its implications, promote vaccination in your area, and boost vaccine confidence.
 
This toolkit, created by the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative, includes resources created specifically for rural communities to meet residents where they are, giving equal access to information so everyone can have the facts and decide for themselves whether getting vaccinated is right for them.
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.