Immunization MMWRs

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April 2024

• Panagiotakopoulos L, Godfrey M, Moulia DL, Link-Gelles R, Taylor CA, Chatham-Stephens K, et al. Use of an Additional Updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Dose for Adults Aged ≥65 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(16);377–381.
  This report summarizes the ACIP recommendation for an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged ≥65 years and the rationale, including evidence reviewed by the work group and presented to ACIP…
• Smith-Jeffcoat SE, Mellis AM, Grijalva CG, Talbot HK, Schmitz J, Lutrick K, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Viral Shedding and Rapid Antigen Test Performance — Respiratory Virus Transmission Network, November 2022–May 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(16);365–371.
  Clinicians should consider RT-PCR testing for persons for whom antiviral treatment is recommended…
• Kallay R, Doshi RH, Muhoza P, Choi MJ, Legand A, Aberle-Grasse E, et al. Use of Ebola Vaccines — Worldwide, 2021–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(16);360–364.
  This report describes the use of Ebola vaccines and the role of the stockpile developed and managed by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision during 2021–2023…
• Collins JP, Crowe SJ, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Bahta L, Campos-Outcalt D, Loehr J, et al. Use of the Pfizer Pentavalent Meningococcal Vaccine Among Persons Aged ≥10 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ― United States, 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);345–350.
  This report summarizes evidence considered for these recommendations and provides clinical guidance for the use of MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp…
• Franklin D, Barbre K, Rowe TA, Reses HE, Massey J, Meng L, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, and Rates of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Among Residents in Nursing Homes — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, October 2023–February 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);339–344.
  Ongoing surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19–associated hospitalizations in this population is necessary to develop and evaluate evidence-based interventions for protecting nursing home residents…
• Zambrano LD, Newhams MM, Simeone RM, Payne AB, Wu M, Orzel-Lockwood AO, et al. Durability of Original Monovalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19 Omicron–Associated Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents — United States, 2021–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);330–338.
  These findings support existing recommendations that children and adolescents aged 5–18 years remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccination given low vaccination coverage and waning effectiveness over time against COVID-19–related hospitalizations…
• Liko J, Cieslak PR. Assessment of Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death Among Adolescents and Young Adults After Receipt of COVID-19 Vaccine — Oregon, June 2021–December 2022 MMWR. 2024 / 73(14);317–20.
  The data do not support an association of COVID-19 vaccination with sudden cardiac death among previously healthy young persons…
• Doshi RH, Nsasiirwe S, Dahlke M, Atagbaza A, Aluta OE, Tatsinkou AB, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage — World Health Organization African Region, 2021–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(14);307–11.
  This report provides an update on the progress made in COVID-19 vaccination in the African Region during 2021–2023…
• Mathis AD, Raines K, Masters NB, Filardo TB, Kim G, Crooke SN, et al. Measles — United States, January 1, 2020–March 28, 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(14);295–300.
  Enhanced efforts are needed to increase routine U.S. vaccination coverage, encourage vaccination before international travel, identify communities at risk for measles transmission, and rapidly investigate suspected measles cases to reduce cases and complications of measles…
• Roua EK, Nkenge J, Mattie AE. Olorukooba A, Vazquez M, Stokley S, et al. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program Contributions to Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccinations Across Sociodemographic Characteristics — United States, September 1, 2022–September 30, 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(13);286–90.
  FRPP partnerships were critical in ensuring access to bivalent COVID-19 vaccination services in the United States and could serve as a model to address vaccination services needs for routine vaccines and during future responses to vaccine-preventable disease emergencies…
• Kishore N, Krow-Lucal E, Diop OM, Jorba J, Avagnan T, Grabovac V, et al. Surveillance To Track Progress Toward Polio Eradication — Worldwide, 2022–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(13);278–85.
  This report updates previous reports to describe polio surveillance performance during 2022–2023 in 28 priority countries (i.e., those deemed to be at high risk for poliovirus transmission because of ongoing surveillance gaps and vulnerability to poliovirus circulation)…
• Laura D. Z, Margaret M. N, Regina M. S, Amanda B. P, Michael W, Amber O. Orzel-L, Natasha B. H, et al. Durability of Original Monovalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness Against COVID-19 Omicron–Associated Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents — United States, 2021–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);330–8.
  These findings support existing recommendations that children and adolescents aged 5–18 years remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccination given low vaccination coverage and waning effectiveness over time against COVID-19–related hospitalizations.
• David F, Kira B, Theresa A. R, Hannah E. R, Jason M, Lu M, P D, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, and Rates of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Among Residents in Nursing Homes — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, October 2023–February 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);339–44.
  The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, data are reported by nursing homes; therefore, misclassification of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19–associated hospitalization, and COVID-19 vaccination status of residents is possible.
• J P. Collins, S J. Crowe, I R. Ortega-Sanchez, L Bahta, D Campos-Outcalt, J Loehr, R L. Morgan, et al. Use of the Pfizer Pentavalent Meningococcal Vaccine Among Persons Aged ≥10 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ― United States, 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(15);345–50.
  This report summarizes evidence considered for these recommendations and provides clinical guidance for the use of MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp.

March 2024

• Link-Gelles R, Rowley EAK, DeSilva MB, Dascomb K, Irving SA, Klein NP, et al. Interim Effectiveness of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Immunocompromising Conditions — VISION Network, September 2023–February 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(12);271–6.
  All persons with immunocompromising conditions should receive updated COVID-19 vaccination and may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses ≥2 months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine…
• Thomas CM, Hartley A, Schmitz A, Reid HD,  Sullivan S, Huebner E, et al. Implications of Measles Inclusion by Commercial Syndromic Polymerase Chain Reaction Panels — United States, May 2022–April 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(12);260–4.
  Any detection of measles virus should be immediately reported to public health agencies to determine appropriate public health response…
• Ruprecht A, Marin M, Strain AK, Harry K, Kenyon C. Notes from the Field: Expanded Laboratory Testing for Varicella — Minnesota, 2016–2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(11);245–6.
  Laboratory confirmation is important to guide clinical and public health management, understand varicella epidemiology, and evaluate vaccine effectiveness…
• Bemis K, Frias M, Giovanni S, Shackour T, Reid HD, Morgan J, et al. Notes from the Field: Measles Outbreak — Cook County, Illinois, October–November 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(10);229–230.
  Two doses of appropriately spaced MMR vaccine are recommended for all children and other susceptible persons to prevent measles cases and outbreaks…
• Yousaf AR, Lindsey KN, Wu MJ, Shah AB, Free RJ, Simeone RM, et al. Notes from the Field: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, Children MMWR. 2024 / 73(10);225–8.
  This report describes 2023 MIS-C cases and compares them with cases reported earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic…

February 2024

•  DeCuir J, Payne AB, Self WH, Rowley EAK, Dascomb K, DeSilva MB, et al. Interim Effectiveness of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalization Among Immunocompetent Adults Aged ≥18 Years — VISION and IVY Networks, September 2023–January 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(8);180–8.
  These findings support CDC recommendations for updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccination…
• Zhu S, Quint J, León TM, Sun M, Li NJ, Tenforde MW, et al. Interim Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Against Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza — California, October 2023–January 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(8);175–9.
  Mandatory reporting requirements of laboratory surveillance and vaccination data allow for early season VE estimates while seasonal influenza viruses are circulating…
•  Frutos AM, Price AM, Harker E, Reeves EL, Ahmad HM, Murugan V, et al. Interim Estimates of 2023–24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States MMWR. 2024 / 73(8);168–74.
  This report provides interim estimates of 2023–24 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza for children, adolescents, and adults in the outpatient and inpatient settings from active and passive surveillance systems in 22 U.S. states…
• Musa N, Ghoniem A, Hsu CH, Mubarak S, Sume G, Sharifuzzaman M, et al. Progress Toward Measles Elimination — World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2019–2022 MMWR. 2024 / 73(7);139–44.
  This report updates a previous report and describes progress toward measles elimination in EMR during 2019–2022…
• Qureshi NS, Villatoro AJ, Tran ND, Herrera SJ, Judge SP, Fang L, et al. Hepatitis A Exposure Response and Outbreak Prevention in a Large Urban Jail — Los Angeles County, California, May–July 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(6);131–4.
  Identifying contacts promptly and using immunization and serology records to ensure rapid delivery of postexposure prophylactic vaccine can help prevent hepatitis A transmission during exposures among incarcerated populations…
• Link-Gelles R, Ciesla AA, Mak J, Miller JD, Silk BJ, Lambrou AS, et al. Early Estimates of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Attributable to Co-Circulating Omicron Variants Among Immunocompetent Adults — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September 2023–January 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(4);77–83.
  This report provides early estimates of effectiveness of updated monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and the first estimates of VE against symptomatic infection with the JN.1 lineage…

January 2024

• Leonard CM, Poortinga K, Nguyen E, Karan A, Kulkarni S, Cohen R, et al. Mpox Outbreak — Los Angeles County, California, May 4–August 17, 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(2);44–8.
  This outbreak underscores the ongoing need for accessible mpox vaccination for persons at risk, particularly among young, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino persons, and persons living with HIV…
• Payne AB, Novosad S, Wiegand RE, Najdowski M, Gomes DJ, Wallace M, et al. Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing COVID-19–Related Thromboembolic Events Among Medicare Enrollees Aged ≥65 Years and Those with End Stage Renal Disease — United States, September 2022–March 2023 MMWR. 2024 / 73(1);16–23.
  COVID-19 vaccines helped provide protection against COVID-19–related thromboembolic events…
• Murthy N, Wodi AP, McNally VV, Daley MF, Cineas S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(1);11–5.
  At its October 2023 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices* (ACIP) approved the Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for Ages 19 Years or Older, United States, 2024…
• Wodi AP, Murthy N, McNally V, Daley MF, Cineas S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger — United States, 2024 MMWR. 2024 / 73(1);6–10.
  At its October 2023 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices* (ACIP) approved the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2024…