This year’s Preteen Vaccine Week is March 4-8, 2024. The first day of the campaign, March 4, is also International HPV Awareness Day. Join partners across the state as we raise awareness about the HPV vaccine that can prevent 90% of cancers caused by HPV, as well as other vaccines that help protect preteens against meningitis, whooping cough, flu, and COVID-19. Find the Preteen Vaccine Week campaign toolkit, patient education, infographics, and more on the campaign webpage. Posting on social media using the suggested messages is an easy way for your organization to participate!
We invite you to start thinking now about back-to-school vaccines for preteens. Use the strategies below to help make sure your preteen patients are up to date on vaccines and ready for 7th grade and to prevent the back-to-school rush that many clinics and families face as the new school year approaches.
- Use the immunization registry and your EHR to identify children who missed well-child visits and/or recommended vaccinations. (See the CAIR Reminder/Recall User Guide.)
- Reach out to schedule in-person appointments using a Robocall Script, letter, or text.
- Plan back-to-school immunization clinics at convenient times for working parents, including weekends and evenings.
- Administer needed vaccines at ALL visits, not just well-child checks.
- Designate a certain number of “immunization-only” appointments each day leading up to school entry.
Use these educational materials to supplement your strong vaccine recommendations. Remind patients that they can access their digital vaccination records as proof of vaccination for school entry.
The CDPH Immunization Updates for Providers Webinar series is beginning a new cadence. The Friday webinars will move to a biweekly (every other Friday) cadence.
There will be no webinar on Friday, March 1, 2024. The next session will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 9AM – 10:30AM.
Please continue to use the CDPH Immunization Updates for Providers Registration Link.
It’s Shingles Awareness Week! Join us this last week of February in efforts to protect your patients against shingles.
Shingles is a painful infection caused by the herpes zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox), which can reactivate after years of inactivity in the body. Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. get shingles each year. Older or immunocompromised adults are more likely to be hospitalized due to shingles.
Shingles vaccine is more than 90% effective against shingles and related complications for at least seven years. CDC recommends two doses for adults who are immunocompromised or 50 years and older. Shingles vaccine is covered by most private insurance, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Part D (with no co-pay). Prevent shingles and encourage your patients to get vaccinated today!
Promote vaccination by sharing this new ShotbyShot video (5:40 minutes) about Kristine’s experience with shingles. Use Kristine’s infographic to post on social media to boost shingles awareness along with these resources:
