ABOUT US
The National Adult Vaccination Program (NAVP), is a multi-stakeholder industry-supported collaboration to develop a cohesive strategic and policy approach to improve adult vaccination aligned with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT VACCINES
Building trust and addressing social norms are keys to convincing patients to vaccinate. Learn more about vaccine confidence, how to increase it, and resources available to all health professionals.
2018 ICAMP REGISTRATION OPEN
ICAMP is a multidisciplinary program designed to equip health care professionals to champion adult immunization practices that improve public health and the quality of care for the people they serve. Registration for ICAMP in Boston on November 13, in conjunction with GSA's annual meeting, is now open.
NEWS AND UPDATES
GSA Announces New Publication on Increasing Immunization Rates in Long-term Care
This new publication details results of a stakeholder meeting, held in May 2018, to identify ways to raise to increase immunization rates in skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities, among both staff and residents. The group prioritized five action items for next steps, including increasing use of mandatory vaccination policies, making vaccination a condition of hire, implementing mandatory vaccination policies for residents, creating tip sheets for billing and best practices, and examining existing tools and resources for opportunities to weave immunization into work on existing priorities. An easy-to-use infographic with priorities is also available.
HHS Honors National Immunization Awareness Month with Videos
Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Brett P. Giroir, MD, announced the availability of a new video series from HHS addressing the need for vaccines across the lifespan. As part of National Immunization Awareness Month, the last week is dedicated to raising vaccination rates in adults. Use the NIAM toolkit to spread the word!
CDC Releases 2018 Immunization Schedule and Updated Recommendations on Shingles Vaccine
On February 6, the 2018 approved recommendations for immunization of adults age 19 and older went into effect. The comprehensive summary of the ACIP recommended changes made to the adult immunization schedule can be found in the February 6, 2018 MMWR. Then on October 23, the FDA announced its approval of Shingrix, a vaccine for prevention of shingles (herpes zoster), in adults 50 and older. On October 25, the ACIP voted to preferentially recommend the vaccine for those 50 and older. The MMWR recommendations were subsequently published on January 25, 2018. Shingrix has shown 90% efficacy across all age groups in prevention of shingles, meeting its goal to overcome age-related decline in immunity. By preventing shingles, the vaccine has also reduced incidence of post herpetic neuralgia, a painful and common complication of shingles. The vaccine is non-live and given in two doses.
New Publications Available on Immunosenescence and Vaccination
View a new What's Hot publication on the impact of age-related decline in immunity, the connection between infection and events such as heart attack and stroke, and an overview of new vaccines that have overcome immunosenescence to better protect older adults. Then see a new publication from GSA, the American College of Physicians, and American Pharmacists Association, designed to help health care professionals understand the biological impact of aging on immunity and reinforce the importance of adult immunization.