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 selection of media articles related to immunization.

NEW ACP Video in ACP's Ask Your Internal Medicine Physician Video Series 

This provides patient guidance and tips on what to do if they think they have COVID-19.

Presented by Dr. Frances Ferguson, a general internal medicine physician from Albany, Georgia, this new episode addresses several frequently asked questions, including: 

• When should you test for COVID-19? 
• What should you do if you test positive for COVID-19? 
• Who should receive COVID-19 treatment and when should it begin? 

HHS announced the ‘HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments Program’

The program is designed to maintain broad access to COVID-19 vaccines for millions of uninsured Americans. The program will create a unique $1.1 billion public-private partnership to help maintain uninsured individuals’ access to COVID-19 care at their local pharmacies, through existing public health infrastructure, and at their local health centers. CDC has updated the two resources below that highlight key information about the program: 

Notes from the Field: Emergence of an Mpox Cluster Primarily Affecting Persons Previously Vaccinated Against Mpox

During March 18–June 12, 2023, 40 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases were identified in Chicago, including 22 (55%), five (13%), and 13 (33%), respectively, among patients who had received 2 doses of JYNNEOS or 1 dose of ACAM2000 vaccine, those who had received 1 vaccine dose of JYNNEOS vaccine, and those who had not received any vaccines for mpox

2023-2024 CDC Flu Vaccination

Recommendations Adopted

2023-2024 CDC Flu Vaccination Recommendation Adopted by CDC-on June 27, 2023 CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH adopted the 2023-2024 ACIP recommendations on annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older in the United States. The full report to be published in the upcoming Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Recommendation Report later this summer.