NJIN Monthly Newsletter January 2022

In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we discuss several vaccine-related topics, including updated healthcare provider resources from NJDOH, how vaccine hesitancy has changed during the pandemic, and an update on a new pertussis immunization candidate.

COVID-19 Related Articles and Resources

New Jersey Department of Health Releases Updated Recommendations for K-12 Schools

On January 12th, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) released updated guidance for K-12 schools which includes updated school exclusion criteria to reflect CDC’s recent reduction in isolation and quarantine timelines. This guidance also includes recommendations for additional measures schools can implement in regions with very-high COVID-19 community transmission, which were shared with schools on December 30, 2020. NJDOH’s guidance on isolation and quarantine follows the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance. The shortened timeframes for isolation and quarantine focus on the period when a person is most infectious, followed by continued masking for an additional five days. The updated recommendations for when schools are in regions with very high COVID-19 community transmission (red on the COVID-19 Activity Level Report (CALI) map) support in-person instruction by adding additional precautions for extracurricular activities that pose challenges for appropriate physical distancing and masking. This document does not apply to childcare settings.

Read the Full Press Release Here

Updated COVID-19 FAQs From the New Jersey Department of Health

On January 10th, the New Jersey Department of Health updated their COVID-19 FAQs for healthcare providers and the general public. Please note that any recent changes/updates are highlighted in yellow.

Access all of NJDOH's COVID-19 Resources Here New Jersey Residents Now Have Access to Free At-Home COVID Testing Kits The State of New Jersey has teamed up with Vault Medical Services to provide free at-home COVID testing kits for all who call New Jersey their home. Click the button below to learn more about the partnership and how to order your free kit today. Learn More

Lessons Learned from HPV Vaccination to Increase Uptake of Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among adolescents has been low and highly variable across the U.S. As of July 2021, the most recently available national data, 42% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but that percentage varied widely from state to state. Low vaccination rates threaten to prolong the pandemic and pose a health risk to unvaccinated adolescents as well as their families and social networks. To promote COVID-19 vaccinations for adolescents, it will be valuable to explore lessons learned about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in this population. In this commentary, we outline the similarities between the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines and offer three recommendations that can be applied to efforts for adolescent COVID-19 vaccination promotion and delivery. Read The Publication In Its Entirety Here

Answers to Tough Questions About Omicron and COVID-19

This resource library is an ongoing compilation of tough questions related to COVID-19, with suggested answers. Many of these topics are sensitive and often politicized. The document is designed to provide message guidance and framing for public health officials and others, and it is regularly updated to reflect new developments and emerging issues. Additionally, you can find several graphics and resources that you can post on your personal, and if available, practice social media pages to bolster support for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

Access the Resource Library Here

Featured Articles and Resources

Pfizer and BioNTech Sign New Global Collaboration Agreement for First mRNA-based Shingles Vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech have announced a new collaboration to develop potentially the first mRNA-based vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster virus or HSV). HSV is a debilitating disease that impacts approximately 1 in 3 people in the United States during their lifetime. According to a Pfizer press release, this will be the third collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech in the infectious diseases field, following the influenza vaccine collaboration in 2018 and the COVID-19 vaccine collaboration in 2020. Read More

Vaccine Hesitancy Changes Over Time: Attitudes Toward Vaccines During the COVID-19 Pandemic Worldwide, vaccine hesitancy is proving to be a stumbling block to securing much needed protection against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Researchers from Japan have uncovered specific factors that influence attitudes about vaccines, which is valuable knowledge for combating vaccine hesitancy. In a study published last month in Vaccines, researchers from the University of Tsukuba reported dramatic changes in vaccine acceptance over a five-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed information about what causes these changes could help address low vaccine uptake in specific populations. Read More

HPV Vaccine Promotion: The Church as an Agent of Change Vaccination to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and associated cancers have been recommended for use in the US since 2006; however, HPV vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. Many sociodemographic factors have been evaluated with regard to HPV vaccine uptake, but there has been less focus on the role of religion and religiosity. The researcher's qualitative case study aimed to identify community perceptions of HPV and HPV vaccination via seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with leaders and members of an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in metro-Atlanta, Georgia, from April 2018 to July 2018. A Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) conceptual framework was used to identify potential avenues to strengthen communication and health promotion strategies in the church community. Results showed diverse perceptions about the HPV vaccine amongst the church community, ranging from viewing the HPV vaccine as essential to unnecessary for adolescents. Two key barriers to the HPV vaccine that may be addressed through the SBCC strategies were identified: 1) general mistrust in the healthcare system and 2) the expectation of abstinence among adolescents. For future HPV prevention opportunities, congregants highlighted that they would be more receptive to receiving HPV vaccine promotion messages from pre-established trustworthy sources. Read The Publication In Its Entirety Here

FDA Grants ILiAD Biotechnologies Fast Track Designation for Next Generation Pertussis Vaccine BPZE1 ILiAD Biotechnologies, a late-stage biotech development company focused on the global eradication of disease due to Bordetella pertussis, announced on January 3rd that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to BPZE1, a next-generation vaccine for active booster immunization against pertussis. BPZE1 is the most advanced next-generation pertussis vaccine currently in clinical development. Developed in the laboratory of Camille Locht, Ph.D., at the Institut Pasteur de Lille (IPL) and French National Institute of Health and Medical research, BPZE1 is a live-attenuated intranasal vaccine designed to overcome deficiencies of current pertussis vaccines, including poor durability of protection and failure to prevent nasopharyngeal Bordetella pertussis infections that lead to escape mutants and transmission to vulnerable infants. Four clinical trials studying BPZE1 in healthy adults have been completed to date, including positive topline results from a 300-participant adult Phase 2b trial demonstrating that BPZE1 induced durable mucosal immunity and reduced nasal colonization — two key factors necessary for the prevention of transmission and reduction of epidemic pertussis cycles. Read More

Upcoming Education Opportunities

January General Membership Meeting Education: NJ COVID-19 Update

Presented by: Margaret "Meg" Fisher, MD of NJDOH Date and Time: Wednesday, January 19th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Learning objectives for this education include: Understand what SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is Understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on New Jersey Articulate the importance of prevention methods including immunization

Please note: Dr. Fisher's presentation will begin after the NJIN General Membership meeting's business portion has concluded. By clicking the button below you will be registering for the General Membership meeting in its entirety.

Register for the January General Membership Meeting