Check out these resources that may be helpful for your vaccine-related efforts.
Nirsevimab effectiveness in Alaska Native children
Prior to the introduction of nirsevimab and maternal RSV vaccine, American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) children experienced high rates of hospitalization resulting from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Studies showed childhood infection rates three to seven times higher in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta compared to other areas of the U.S. For that reason, when recommendations were made for use of nirsevimab in the fall of 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) considered AI/AN children to be at increased risk for severe RSV illness and recommended that they receive nirsevimab prophylaxis during both their first and second seasons.
Data collected between October 2023 and June 2024 demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. In a recent report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), a study of 472 children with acute respiratory infections that required medical attention in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, nirsevimab reduced RSV-associated hospitalizations about 90%. Additionally, medically attended RSV illness among children experiencing their second RSV season decreased by 88%. These data provide real-world evidence that nirsevimab can prevent severe RSV illness among children, including high-risk infants, such as those of AI/AN descent, during their first and second RSV seasons.
Listen Up! Podcast – “AI for Good: Maximizing AI in Health Communication”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosts a podcast, “Listen Up!,” focused on health communication. The Oct. 22 episode featured a discussion about how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be used for health communication.
The three guests outlined valuable use cases of AI for the public health community, such as performing content analysis, translating health content into plain language, sharing collective knowledge, and creating video content.
They also identified some risks of using AI, including public perception. Because of negative perceptions, the speakers discussed the need to help the public understand that AI can help public health officials (and others) do their jobs better, faster and more efficiently, but that it cannot replace these officials. They also discussed the need to learn more about how AI can access data and keep it secure as well as how AI can introduce or reduce bias.
The speakers closed by looking ahead to potential innovations with AI with a focus on how AI can support conversations to disseminate health information.
Guests for this episode included:
- Annice Kim, PhD, Senior Director of the Center for Communication and Media Impact at RTI International
- Amelia Burke-Garcia, PhD, Director of NORC Center for Health Communications Science
- Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition
Listen to the full podcast here or on many popular podcast platforms.
Updated Vaccine Information Statements available
The CDC recently updated several Vaccine Information Statements (VISs), so be sure your practice is providing the most updated documents, particularly for COVID-19, RSV, and cholera vaccines.
VISs are required to be given any time a vaccine is administered. For this reason, the CDC offers a variety of options for sharing them:
Check out these resources that may be helpful for your vaccine-related efforts.
Nirsevimab effectiveness in Alaska Native children
Prior to the introduction of nirsevimab and maternal RSV vaccine, American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) children experienced high rates of hospitalization resulting from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Studies showed childhood infection rates three to seven times higher in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta compared to other areas of the U.S. For that reason, when recommendations were made for use of nirsevimab in the fall of 2023, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) considered AI/AN children to be at increased risk for severe RSV illness and recommended that they receive nirsevimab prophylaxis during both their first and second seasons.
Data collected between October 2023 and June 2024 demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. In a recent report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), a study of 472 children with acute respiratory infections that required medical attention in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, nirsevimab reduced RSV-associated hospitalizations about 90%. Additionally, medically attended RSV illness among children experiencing their second RSV season decreased by 88%. These data provide real-world evidence that nirsevimab can prevent severe RSV illness among children, including high-risk infants, such as those of AI/AN descent, during their first and second RSV seasons.
Listen Up! Podcast – “AI for Good: Maximizing AI in Health Communication”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosts a podcast, “Listen Up!,” focused on health communication. The Oct. 22 episode featured a discussion about how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be used for health communication.
The three guests outlined valuable use cases of AI for the public health community, such as performing content analysis, translating health content into plain language, sharing collective knowledge, and creating video content.
They also identified some risks of using AI, including public perception. Because of negative perceptions, the speakers discussed the need to help the public understand that AI can help public health officials (and others) do their jobs better, faster and more efficiently, but that it cannot replace these officials. They also discussed the need to learn more about how AI can access data and keep it secure as well as how AI can introduce or reduce bias.
The speakers closed by looking ahead to potential innovations with AI with a focus on how AI can support conversations to disseminate health information.
Guests for this episode included:
- Annice Kim, PhD, Senior Director of the Center for Communication and Media Impact at RTI International
- Amelia Burke-Garcia, PhD, Director of NORC Center for Health Communications Science
- Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition
Listen to the full podcast here or on many popular podcast platforms.
Updated Vaccine Information Statements available
The CDC recently updated several Vaccine Information Statements (VISs), so be sure your practice is providing the most updated documents, particularly for COVID-19, RSV, and cholera vaccines.
VISs are required to be given any time a vaccine is administered. For this reason, the CDC offers a variety of options for sharing them: