Immunization MMWRs

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March 2023

• Fairlie T, Chu B, Thomas ES, Querns, AK, Lyons A, Koziol M, et al. School-Based Interventions to Increase Student COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage in Public School Populations with Low Coverage — Seattle, Washington, December 2021–June 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(11);283–7.
  School health programs can provide critical information about and access to vaccinations…
• Conners EE, Panagiotakopoulos L, Hofmeister MG, Spradling PR, Hagan LM, Harris AM, et al. Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations — United States, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(RR-1);1–25.
  This report updates the 2008 CDC recommendations for risk-based testing and management of persons with chronic HBV infection in the United States…

February 2023

• Luoma E, Rohrer R, Parton H, Hughes S, Omoregie E, Taki F, et al. Notes from the Field: Epidemiologic Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Variant XBB.1.5 — New York City, November 1, 2022–January 4, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(8);212–4.
  Routine linkage of epidemiologic and sequencing data allows tracking of emerging variants and ongoing assessment of reinfection, infection after vaccination, and disease severity…
• McLean HQ, Petrie JG, Hanson KE, Meece JK, Rolfes MA, Sylvester GC, et al. Interim Estimates of 2022–23 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — Wisconsin, October 2022–February 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(8);201–5.
  The 2022–23 influenza vaccine provides substantial protection against circulating influenza A viruses and remains the best way to protect against influenza…
• Lu P, Zhou T, Santibanez TA, Jain A, Black CL, Srivastav A, et al. COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccination Coverage and Intent to Receive Booster Vaccination Among Adolescents and Adults — United States, November–December 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(7);190–8.
  Health care provider recommendations for booster vaccination, dissemination of information about the safety of vaccine by trusted messengers, and reducing barriers to vaccination could improve COVID-19 booster vaccination coverage…
• Murthy BP, Fast HE, Zell E, Murthy N, Meng L, Shaw L, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Demographic Characteristics of Infants and Children Aged 6 Months–4 Years — United States, June 20–December 31, 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(7);183–9.
  Enhanced evidence-based practices are needed to decrease barriers to vaccination and increase parental COVID-19 vaccine confidence to improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage among young children to reduce associated morbidity and mortality…
• Fleming-Dutra KE, Ciesla AA, Roper LE, Smith ZR, Miller JD, Accorsi EK, et al. Preliminary Estimates of Effectiveness of Monovalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children Aged 3–5 Years — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, July 2022–February 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(7);177–82.
  Children should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including completing the primary series; those who are eligible should receive a bivalent vaccine dose…
• Hancuh M, Walldorf J, Minta AA, Tevi-Benissan C, Christian KA, Nedelec Y, et al. Typhoid Fever Surveillance, Incidence Estimates, and Progress Toward Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction — Worldwide, 2018–2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(7);171–6.
  This report describes typhoid fever surveillance, incidence estimates, and the status of typhoid conjugate vaccine introduction during 2018–2022…
• Johnson AG, Linde L, Ali AR, DeSantis A, Shi M, Adam C, et al. COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among Unvaccinated and Vaccinated Persons Aged ≥12 Years by Receipt of Bivalent Booster Doses and Time Since Vaccination — 24 U.S. Jurisdictions, October 3, 2021–December 24, 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(6);145–52.
  This report presents evidence of the enhanced protection provided by bivalent COVID-19 boosters compared to monovalent vaccines against infection and death during the BA.4/BA.5 period and are consistent with other VE studies…
• Murthy N, Wodi AP, McNally V, Cineas S, Ault K. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(6);141–4.
  The 2023 adult immunization schedule summarizes ACIP recommendations, including several changes to the cover page, tables, notes, and appendix from the 2022 immunization schedule…
• Wodi AP, Murthy N, McNally V, Cineas S, Ault K. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger — United States, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(6);137–40.
  The 2023 child and adolescent immunization schedule, available on the CDC immunization schedule website, summarizes ACIP recommendations, including several changes from the 2022 immunization schedule on the cover page, tables, notes, and appendix…
• Patel P, Twentyman E, Koumans E, Rosenblum H, Griffin-Blake S, Jackson B, et al. Information for Persons Who Are Immunocompromised Regarding Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Context of Currently Circulating Omicron Sublineages — United States, January 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(5);128–31.
  Although persons who are moderately to severely immunocompromised might not mount a strong vaccine-mediated immune response, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination does provide some protection…
• Scobie HM, Ali AR, Shirk P, Smith ZR, Paul P, Paden CR, et al. Spike Gene Target Amplification in a Diagnostic Assay as a Marker for Public Health Monitoring of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants — United States, November 2021–January 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(5);125–7.
  Monitoring emerging SARS-CoV-2 lineages and their epidemiologic characteristics helps to inform public health decisions regarding vaccine policy, the use of therapeutics, and health care capacity…
• Link-Gelles R, Ciesla AA, Roper LE, Scobie HM, Ali AR, Miller JD, et al. Early Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Booster Dose Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Attributable to Omicron BA.5– and XBB/XBB.1.5–Related Sublineages Among Immunocompetent Adults — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, December 2022–January 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(5);119–24.
  This report provides the first estimates of bivalent mRNA COVID-19 VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection with XBB-related sublineages…
• Wong MK, Brooks DJ, Ikejezie J, Gacic-Dobo M, Dumolard L, Nedelec Y, et al. COVID-19 Mortality and Progress Toward Vaccinating Older Adults — World Health Organization, Worldwide, 2020–2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(5);113–8.
  Efforts are needed to increase COVID-19 primary series and periodic booster dose coverage among older adults as recommended by WHO and national health authorities…

January 2023

• Canaday DH, Oyebanji OA, White EM, Bosch J, Nugent C, Vishnepolskiy I, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses to the Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Strain and Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 Variants in Nursing Home Residents After Receipt of Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine — Ohio and Rhode Island, September–November 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(4);100–6.
  All eligible nursing home residents and staff members should follow current recommendations to receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to reduce their risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19–associated illness, and death…
• Dubendris H, Reses HE, Wong E, Dollard P, Soe M, Lu M, et al. Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Case Incidence Rates Among Residents in Nursing Homes by Up-to-Date Vaccination Status — United States, October 10, 2022–January 8, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(4);95–9.
  This study supports other recent findings that the bivalent booster dose offers additional protection in persons who previously received monovalent vaccines…
• Sinclair AH, Taylor MK, Weitz JS, Beckett SJ, Samanez-Larkin GR. Reasons for Receiving or Not Receiving Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations Among Adults — United States, November 1–December 10, 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(3);73–5.
  To help increase bivalent booster dose coverage, health care and public health professionals should use evidence-based strategies to inform persons about booster vaccine recommendations and waning immunity…
• McCollum AM, Shelus V, Hill A, Traore T, Onoja B, Nakazawa Y, et al. Epidemiology of Human Mpox — Worldwide, 2018–2021 MMWR. 2023 / 72(3);68–72.
  This report describes the epidemiology of mpox since 1970 and during 2018–2021, using data from national surveillance programs, World Health Organization (WHO) bulletins, and case reports, and addresses current diagnostic and treatment challenges in countries with endemic disease…
• Thomas CM, White EB, Kojima N, Fill MA, Hanna S, Jones TF, et al. Early and Increased Influenza Activity Among Children — Tennessee, 2022–23 Influenza Season MMWR. 2023 / 72(3);49–54.
  This report describes a field investigation conducted in Tennessee during November 2022, following reports of increasing influenza hospitalizations…
• Hause AM, Marquez P, Zhang B, Su JR, Myers TR, Gee J, et al. Safety Monitoring of Bivalent COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Booster Doses Among Children Aged 5–11 Years — United States, October 12–January 1, 2023 MMWR. 2023 / 72(2);39–43.
  This report provides findings from v-safe and VAERS data collected during the first 11 weeks of bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA booster dose administration among children aged 5–11 years; during this period, approximately 953,359 booster doses were administered to children in this age group…
• Hill HA, Chen M, Elam-Evans LD, Yankey D, Singleton JA. Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born During 2018–2019 — National Immunization Survey–Child, United States, 2019–2021 MMWR. 2023 / 72(2);33–8.
  This report describes vaccination coverage by age 24 months using data from the National Immunization Survey–Child (NIS-Child)…
• Seither R, Calhoun K, Yusuf O, Dramann D, Mugerwa-Kasujja A, Knighton CL, et al. Vaccination Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates Among Children in Kindergarten — United States, 2021–22 School Year MMWR. 2023 / 72(2);26–32.
  This report summarizes data collected by state and local immunization programs on vaccination coverage and exemptions to vaccination among children in kindergarten in 49 states and the District of Columbia and provisional enrollment or grace period status for kindergartners in 27 states for the 2021–22 school year…
• Valier MR, Elam-Evans LD, Mu Yi, Santibanez TA, Yankey D, Zhou T, et al. Racial and Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Children and Adolescents Aged 5–17 Years and Parental Intent to Vaccinate Their Children — National Immunization Survey–Child COVID Module, United States, December 2020–September 2022 MMWR. 2023 / 72(1);1–8.
  To increase overall coverage and address disparities in child and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination coverage, providers and trusted messengers should provide culturally relevant information and vaccine recommendations…