The next quarterly coalition meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 2:00-3:30 PM. Helene Janosczyk, Medical Science Liaison from Sanofi, will present "Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Burden of Disease in All Infants and Potential Preventative Strategies." Please join us to learn more about RSV and how currently circulating viruses are impacting the pediatric population.

Please register for the meeting here.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a member of the Essex Metro Immunization Coalition? Fill out a member form to stay up to date on all of EMIC's activities!

As of the week ending November 12, influenza activity in NJ is HIGH. Outbreaks of influenza and RSV continue to increase in all settings throughout the state, predominantly in school and childcare settings.

The Power to Protect NJ campaign shares information and resources to help increase awareness of flu prevention in NJ. To receive the monthly newsletter for the Influenza Action Group, please email NJFluAction@pmch.org.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 5-11. We will be offering special educational opportunities to increase awareness of the importance of flu vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older.

Monday, November 21, join the Partnership staff for an Instagram Live session at 12 PM on Flu Facts to Know this Season. Tune in on @PowertoProtectNJ

Updated CDC COVID-19 Data

As of October 12, 2022, bivalent COVID-19 boosters are recommended by the CDC for everyone 5 years of age and older. This is especially important for pregnant people to prevent severe illness from COVID-19 for both mom and infants under age 5 months through passive immunity. The CDC presented updated data in October on COVID-19 in pregnant people and infants ages 0-5 months. Data shows that there are racial and ethnic health disparities for infants ages 0-5 months. Additionally, 57% of pregnant people are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. ACOG Resources are available to help guide conversations with patients to increase vaccination of pregnant people for COVID-19.

Conversations on COVID-19 Podcast Episodes

The Conversations on COVID-19 podcast is a collaboration between Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the Essex-Passaic Wellness Coalition, Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance, and the Burlington Camden County Chronic Disease Coalition and is produced by Kendrick & Company. These podcasts address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination, and women's health.

Protect Me With 3+ is an annual poster and video contest, and a collaboration between The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health. We believe your health is worth a shot. Visit www.protectmewith3.com for more details.

The Step Up, Vax Up! Campus Health Awareness Campaign is open for submissions through April 30, 2023. Funded through the New Jersey Department of Health, the College Health Initiative is a program at the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey. Our Step Up Vax Up: Campus Health Awareness Campaign is a statewide initiative to promote peer-to-peer COVID-19 education through digital content creation.

You can view past winners on the Step Up, Vax Up website, including Bloomfield College student Estefania Dilone's winning entry from last year's contest!

Many expectant parents have questions about vaccines during pregnancy. The Partnership has developed a Resource Page for vaccines during pregnancy, including the new 2 Protects 2 video resources.  

Please utilize these resources to raise awareness of the importance of COVID, flu, and whooping cough vaccines during pregnancy. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

The hepatitis B birth dose program provides patient education materials in English, Spanish, and Chinese on preventing hepatitis B during pregnancy and the importance of babies receiving the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth.

Have 15 minutes? Check out this short video as part of the Partnership's "15 minutes or Less" professional education on demand library discussing how to recommend hepatitis B vaccine to expecting families.

For resources, please visit the NJ Department of Health Perinatal Hepatitis B website.