In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we present several

vaccine-related articles and updates related to topics such as Flu, and COVID-19, and Measles.

Upcoming Webinars and Meetings

Getting to Know New Jersey's Vaccine Preventable Disease Program

March 14^th, 2025

9:00am-11:00am ET

Join us this Friday, March 14th, 2025 for a webinar on New Jersey's Vaccine Preventable Disease Program. Learn about what the program is doing to reduce and eliminate the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and how New Jersey vaccine providers can improve their practices.

CME is available.

Disclosure: All faculty and planners for this activity have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Registration is required.

In the meantime, you can review the following links to familiarize yourself with VFC program information.

These pages are updated periodically and include many new reference documents including a new temperature excursion webinar.

NJIN General Membership Meeting

March 19^th, 2025

12:00pm-1:30pm ET

Join NJIN on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 for a special 90 minute extended General Membership meeting. Guest speakers Dr. Margaret "Meg" Fisher and representatives from Sanofi, CSL Seqirus, and Pfizer will join us to speak about the latest vaccine-related news and trending issues.

This meeting is open to the public.

We encourage you to click the button below to download the digital calendar file.

Spotlight:

Measles

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is committed to providing critical resources to help increase awareness and prevent further spread of measles. Take a moment to review the documents, graphics, videos, and other educational resources below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Measles.

Sample social media posts and graphics

5 things you need to know about Measles infographic

3 things parents need to know about Measles and vitamin A

Contagious Chronicles: Measles Alert (consumer-friendly audio recording)

Combating the Resurgence of Measles and Other Preventable Diseases (on-demand webinar for healthcare professionals)

Call to Action: Vitamin A for the Management of Measles in the US (report for healthcare professionals)

Mark your calendars for these upcoming NFID events

• March 20, 2025: Improving US Adult Vaccination Rates (Webinar)
• May 5-7, 2025: Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (Washington, DC)

Spotlight:

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

colorectalcancer.org/about-us/news-and-press/media/our-logos

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and encourage individuals to take action to protect their health. By promoting regular screenings and early detection, we can help reduce the incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer. 

Clinical trials of colorectal cancer vaccines have shown promising results, including decreased tumor biomarkers and strong T-cell responses. However, these vaccines are still being developed and have not yet been approved by regulators. 

Featured Articles and Resources

Follow Us On Bluesky

NJIN is now on Bluesky. Our goal is to continue to expand our digital presence in pursuit of our organization's mission to spread the word about vaccine safety and benefits to all individuals through timely, age-appropriate immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases.

NJ Will Spend More On Vaccination Programs, Governor Murphy Pledges

NJ Spotlight News

vectorflags.com/united-states/new-jersey/us-nj-circle-01

Governor Phil Murphy's annual budget proposal calls for an additional $1 million in state funding to New Jersey's Vaccine Preventable Disease Program. The proposal comes at a time when the state is experiencing falling vaccination rates, emerging measles cases in Bergen County, and uncertain direction from the federal government.

CDC Plans Study Into Vaccines and Autism

Reuters

"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links."

AAP President: Federal Study on Vaccines, Autism Would Be a Disservice to Patients, Families

AAP News

"AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, said studying a discredited theory that linked vaccines and autism does a disservice to individuals with autism and their families...Devoting more research dollars to answer a question that is already known does not add to our knowledge about the safety of vaccines."

New Measles Cases in NJ Tied to Unvaccinated Patients:

An Interview with Dr. Meg Fisher

NJ Spotlight News

In light of three confirmed Measles cases emerging in New Jersey, which have been traced to a child from Bergen County who recently traveled abroad, NJ Spotlight News spoke with Dr. Meg Fisher about the spread of the disease.

Reminder: CDC 2025 Immunization Recommendations Schedules Now Available

CDC

The 2025 Adult Immunization Schedule approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and adopted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director on October 24, 2024 is now available. 

CDC’s goal is for the schedules to provide the public, health care providers, and programs with clear, concise, and up-to-date immunization information. These tools help ensure immunizations are timely, effective, and given safely.

Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report

CDC

Key Points (week ending March 1)

• Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally but has decreased for three consecutive weeks.
• "As of March 4, 2025, we estimate that influenza infections are growing or likely growing in 0 states, declining or likely declining in 39 states, and not changing in 6 states."
• Data to date suggests the season has peaked; however, flu-related medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths remain elevated, and CDC expects several more weeks of flu activity.
• New Jersey: Influenza-Like Illness activity "high."
• CDC estimates that there have been at least 40 million illnesses, 520,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths from flu so far this season.
• 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 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 March 4, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 3 states, declining or likely declining in 29 states, and not changing in 13 states."
• New Jersey: Probability the COVID-19 epidemic trend is growing: 63.80% (not changing). R_t Estimate: 1.03 (0.85 - 1.24) % of ED visits (COVID-19): 0.96% (low)
• Nationwide: Probability the COVID-19 epidemic trend is not growing: 8.55% (declining). R_t Estimate: 0.92 (0.79 - 1.04) % of ED visits (COVID-19): 0.75% (low)
• Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Additional Reads

Click on the headlines below for more articles and resources.

1. CDC Issues Health Alert Amid Measles Outbreaks, Recommends MMR Vaccination AAP News
2. Expanding Measles Outbreak in the United States and Guidance for the Upcoming Travel Season CDC
3. AAP Leaders Combating Misinformation Amid Measles Outbreak, Stress Importance of Vaccination AAP News
4. Measles Cases in Texas, New Mexico Rise by 28 in Five Days as Outbreak Spreads Reuters
5. America's Measles Outbreak: What You Need to Know Rutgers Today
6. CDC Posts 'Conflicts of Interest' Database On Vaccine Panel Members NBC News

Upcoming NJIN Events

Community Baby Showers

In 2025, NJIN is continuing to build upon our 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. 

Here is a list of our upcoming showers.



1. March 20, 2025 (Thur.)

• Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
• Partner: Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
• Venue: All Wars Memorial Building
• Address: 1510 Adriatic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

2. April 24, 2025 (Thur.)

• Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm
• Partner: Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
• Venue: Tabernacle Baptist Church
• Address: 150 E 2nd St, Burlington, NJ 08016

3. May 17, 2025 (Sat.)

• Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
• Partner: Virtua Health
• Venue: Children of America, Cinnaminson
• Address: 1105 US-130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

NJIN Meetings Schedule

March 19, 2025 (Wed)

NJIN General Membership

12:00pm - 1:30pm

March 26, 2025 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

April 10, 2025 (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 us at NJIN@njaap.org.