December marks the coming of winter, the darkest and coldest time of the year. As we face the cold-weather season, when people head inside and respiratory diseases come out in full force, experts share some tips on how to prepare for them and protect one's health.

Upcoming Webinars

On Wednesday, January 22^nd, NJIN will host a webinar titled Vaccines, Autism, and Neurodiversity. Our keynote speaker Peter Hotez, MD, will present on his 2018 book, Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad. We will also be joined by Danielle Hall from the Autism Society of America, who will discuss topics that include understanding autism, practical strategies for providers, and the Vaccine Education Initiative - a national program that addresses systemic barriers, while promoting vaccine education, confidence, and access.



Vaccines, Autism, and Neurodiversity

January 22^nd, 2025

To register for the webinar, you can open the flyer document and click the "Click to Register" button, or click the button below.

Spotlight:

Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad

Peter Hotez, MD

"In Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism, Hotez draws on his experiences as a pediatrician, vaccine scientist, and father of an autistic child. Outlining the arguments on both sides of the debate, he examines the science that refutes the concerns of the anti-vaccine movement, debunks current conspiracy theories alleging a cover-up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and critiques the scientific community's failure to effectively communicate the facts about vaccines and autism to the general public, all while sharing his very personal story of raising a now-adult daughter with autism."

"A uniquely authoritative account, this important book persuasively provides evidence for the genetic basis of autism and illustrates how the neurodevelopmental pathways of autism are under way before birth. Dr. Hotez reminds readers of the many victories of vaccines over disease while warning about the growing dangers of the anti-vaccine movement, especially in the United States and Europe. Now, with the anti-vaccine movement reenergized in our COVID-19 era, this book is especially timely. Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism is a must-read for parent groups, child advocates, teachers, health-care providers, government policymakers, health and science policy experts, and anyone caring for a family member or friend with autism."

-Amazon.com

For more on Dr. Peter Hotez, click the button below.

Featured Articles and Resources

NJIN Survey on Vaccine Knowledge and Referral Practices

The New Jersey Immunization Network is requesting feedback from providers in our membership to help inform our upcoming webinar, Shot of Truth: Addressing Myths, Barriers, and Building Confidence with Cultural Humility.

This brief survey on vaccine knowledge and referral practices will help our speakers tailor their presentations to address the interests and the needs of our audience.

Additional information on this webinar will follow in the coming weeks.

Study: Optimal Annual COVID-19 Vaccine Boosting Dates Following Previous Booster Vaccination or Breakthrough Infection

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Background

COVID-19 booster vaccinations mitigate transmission and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with infection. However, the optimal date for booster administration remains uncertain. Geographic variation in infection rates throughout the year makes it challenging to intuit the best yearly booster administration date to effectively prevent infection, and also challenging to provide best guidance on how to alter booster administration in response to a breakthrough infection.

Methods

We leveraged longitudinal antibody and reinfection probabilities with spatiotemporal projections of COVID-19 incidence to develop a geographically informed approach to optimizing the timing of booster vaccination. We assessed the delay in booster vaccination that is warranted following breakthrough infections whenever they occur during the year, enabling a personalized assessment of optimal timing that acknowledges and respects diversity of COVID-19 immune status, addressing a substantial barrier to uptake.

Results

Yearly booster vaccination on any date is beneficial to prevention of infection. However, each location exhibits as much as a 3–4-fold range in degree of protection by date of uptake. Optimal COVID-19 booster vaccination dates are location-specific, typically in early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Infection late in the interval between boosts substantially alters the optimal boosting date.

Conclusions

Considerable benefit accrues from aptly timing COVID-19 booster vaccination campaigns, which can be tailored to specific locations. Individuals can acquire the greatest benefit from booster vaccination by timing it optimally, including delaying in cases of infection late in the interval between boosts. These results provide location-specific guidance for public health policy, healthcare provider recommendations, and individual decision-making.

Need Vaccines for Your Clinic?

Order Now!

CDC

If you haven’t ordered vaccines for your clinic, it’s not too late. This tool from the CDC makes ordering and offering vaccines easier.

Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report

CDC

Key Points (week ending November 30)

• Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase but remains low nationally.
• Nationally, percent positivity for influenza and the percentage of emergency department visits for influenza increased this week compared to last week.
• New Jersey: The influenza epidemic trend is growing. Probability influenza epidemic is growing: 99.95%. R_t Estimate: 1.24 (1.11 - 1.46).
• 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.
• CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
• Flu viruses are among several viruses that contribute to respiratory disease activity. CDC is providing updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity on a weekly basis.

COVID-19 - Current Epidemic Growth Status (Based on R_t) for States and Territories

CDC

This interactive tool from the CDC allows users to view the current COVID-19 epidemic growth status for all US states and territories.

Key Points:

• "As of December 3, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 28 states, declining or likely declining in 3 states, and not changing in 17 states."
• New Jersey: The COVID-19 epidemic trend is likely growing. Probability COVID-19 epidemic is growing: 87.30%. R_t Estimate: 1.05 (0.96 - 1.23).

Additional Reads

Click on the headlines below for more articles and resources.

1. Make Sure Your Child is Up-to-Date On Whooping Cough Vaccine AAP
2. Only a Third of US Kids Have Gotten Flu Shots US News & World Report

Upcoming NJIN Events

Community Baby Showers

NJIN is embarking on a new community initiative, “Community Baby Showers.” A community baby shower is to celebrate and support mothers-to-be in underserved communities by providing them with essential resources, information, and a supportive network as they prepare for the arrival of their babies. It aims to empower mothers, promote health and well-being, foster connections among community members, and create a positive and nurturing environment for mothers and their families. A community baby shower shows love, care, and solidarity with expecting mothers, ensuring they feel celebrated and supported during this special time in their lives.

Flu Warriors Festivals

NJIN will host several Flu Warriors Festivals for the Fall of 2024 across the state of New Jersey. The events will target areas with large uninsured and underserved populations. Attendees will be provided with the opportunity to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines along with educational materials on vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.

Total individuals vaccinated - 910

NJIN is currently looking for volunteers to help assist with our Festivals, particularly those with a clinical background and Spanish speakers. If interested, please contact us via email.

Other Community Events

NJIN has had a presence at several other community events such as the Fall Family Health Fair, hosted by Virtua Health.

NJIN Meetings Schedule

January 8, 2024 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

January 9, 2024 (Thu)

NJIN Steering Committee

9:00am - 10:00am

We Want to Hear From You!

The NJIN team encourages input from our readers. Any suggestions on topics, resources, or other ideas that you'd like to see included going forward are welcome!

Please share your feedback with NJIN Director Maria Sciancalepore via email at msciancalepore@njaap.org.