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VEC Announcements

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VEC Announcements
October 30, 2024

December webinar registration open and 2025 dates announced

Registration is now open for the Dec. 4, 2024, “Current Issues in Vaccines” webinar. Dr. Offit will discuss: 

  • Preventing the Next Pandemic: Why It Is Important to Know the Origin of SARS-CoV-2 

The webinar will begin at noon ET, and free continuing education credits (CME, CEU, CPE) will be offered. 

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Thomas F. McNair Scott Endowed Research and Lectureship Fund to make this series available with free continuing education credits. We also appreciate the support of our event co-sponsors, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University. 

Find out more or register for the December event today! 

The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) has also released the dates for the 2025 “Current Issues in Vaccines” webinars:

  • April 2, 2025
  • Sept. 10, 2025
  • Dec. 3, 2025

Please mark your calendars for our 2025 events or download the calendar

New Q&A sheets address RSV 

The VEC recently released two new Q&A sheets related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV):

  • “RSV and Adults: What You Should Know” addresses RSV infection and vaccination for older adults. The new Q&A describes the RSV vaccines that are available as well as common questions about whether the vaccine is needed annually, when to get the vaccine, and whether one of the vaccines is preferred over others. The sheet is available in English and Spanish.
  • “Protecting Babies From RSV: What You Should Know” addresses the options for protecting infants against RSV, including maternal vaccination and use of nirsevimab, so families have the details in one place. The sheet also addresses common questions related to whether an infant needs nirsevimab if maternal vaccination was administered and whether breastfeeding precludes the need for protection. The sheet is available in English and Spanish.

Both Q&A sheets can be downloaded and photocopied for distribution, or sheets can be ordered:

Updated vaccine safety booklet

We also recently updated our vaccine safety booklet, including an update to the title! “Vaccine Safety and Your Family: Separating Fact from Fiction” is excerpted with permission from the recently released book published by Columbia University Press (CUP), Vaccines and Your Family: Separating Fact from Fiction.

The updated version of the safety booklet, available in English and Spanish, includes additional information, such as:

  • Do vaccines affect fertility?
  • Do vaccines cause antibody-dependent enhancement?
  • Do mRNA vaccines change our DNA?
  • What can I do to make vaccinations less stressful?
  • Are vaccines free?
  • What should I expect or watch for after vaccinations?
  • Should I treat a fever that develops after vaccination?
  • How can I talk to those with different ideas about vaccines?

The booklet also contains a code to get a 30% discount on the complete book. Find out more:

New website section provides info on vaccine ingredients

The VEC website content related to vaccine ingredients now includes a section titled, “Ingredients by Vaccine.” This new section shows the vaccines for a particular pathogen (e.g., COVID-19 or DTaP), and organizes the ingredients by antigen, adjuvant, stabilizers, preservatives and residual by-products.  

Currently, the section includes routinely recommended vaccines for children and adults but not combination vaccines (e.g., Pentacel or ProQuad) or non-routine vaccines (e.g., dengue or rabies). These categories will be added over time. 

This new section enhances existing information related to vaccine ingredients, including “Types of Vaccine Ingredients” and “Specific Ingredients.” 

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