I Raise the Rates! October Edition

In this edition of I Raise the Rates (IRtR), you will find a variety of new resources from several public health partners, educational opportunities, and a brief selection of popular media articles related to immunization.

ACP I Raise the Rates Community Champion Guide

Are you looking for ways to promote adult vaccine uptake in your community? ACP's I Raise the Rates Community Champion guide offers a range of education resources as well as access to a fillable toolkit to help you design a personal action plan to increase vaccinations in your community.

Community Champion Toolkit

Early Detection and Surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86

Early detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is critical to assessing risk, providing clear and timely communication messages, and coordinating public health action. CDC tracks SARS-CoV-2 variants using multiple approaches, including genomic, wastewater, traveler-based, and digital public health surveillance.

The SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.86 was first reported in August 2023. CDC used a multicomponent surveillance approach to track its global spread. It has been reported in 32 countries as of October 23, 2023.

An early warning multicomponent surveillance approach can provide valuable actionable information not only for novel SARS-CoV-2 variants but also for future pathogen threats.

Use of Updated COVID-19 Vaccines 2023–2024 Formula for Persons Aged ≥6 Months: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Since September 2022, bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been recommended in the United States, but the variants these vaccines were designed to protect against are no longer circulating widely. In September and October 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved and authorized updated 2023–2024 Formula monovalent XBB.1.5 component–containing COVID-19 vaccines, formulated to target current variants more closely, specifically Omicron variant XBB.1.5, for persons aged ≥6 months.

On September 12, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccination with updated COVID-19 vaccines for all persons aged ≥6 months.

The updated COVID-19 vaccines are meant to broaden vaccine-induced immunity and provide protection against the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 XBB-sublineage variants including against severe COVID-19–associated illness and death.

Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report (CDC FluView)

Seasonal influenza activity remains low nationally although small increases have been reported in some parts of the country. CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu and vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu. Visit CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report for weekly updates.

Additional Articles

Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time? A Mayo Clinic expert weighs in

"We've seen patients that are unfortunate enough to contract COVID-19 and influenza," says Dr. Binnicker.
"Prevention is key, and there are a number of ways that we can help to do that. The first and foremost way to prevent influenza, COVID-19, and even RSV for select groups, is vaccination," says Dr. Binnicker.
“It is safe to receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines that are targeting the most current circulating strains of the virus.”

The Updated COVID Vaccines Are Here: 10 Things to Know

Why would another COVID vaccination help?
How is the updated COVID vaccine different from the previous one?
Why isn’t the new COVID vaccine considered a booster?
Will this COVID shot protect against Omicron strains EG.5 and BA.2.86?
How safe is the updated COVID vaccine?
Are there any special COVID vaccine recommendations for children?
Is there an updated COVID vaccine from Novavax?
When should I get the updated COVID vaccine?
Should I get the updated COVID vaccine and other seasonal shots at the same time?
Where can I get the updated COVID vaccine?