Maine Medicine Weekly Update - Special Immunization Forums Issue
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
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Backto School Forum; Thursday 6pm

Join the online Back to School Forum tomorrow night, Thursday, July 29 starting at 6:00 p.m. for a discussion around vaccinating kids who are eligible in the lead up to the school year and how that will affect plans for in-person learning.

Join the online Back to School Forum tomorrow night, Thursday, July 29 starting at 6:00 p.m. for a discussion around vaccinating kids who are eligible in the lead up to the school year and how that will affect plans for in-person learning.

Forum sponsors:

  • Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics,
  • Maine Public Health Association,
  • Maine Community Action Partnership, and
  • U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Register here: https://mecap.org/backtoschool

Panelists:

  • Dr. Laura Blaisdell: Public health trained pediatrician, and Vice President of the Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Dr. David McDermott: Family physician, Northern Light Mayo and CA Dean Hospitals
  • Ross Berkowitz: Principal, Fisher Mitchell Elementary School, Bath

This event is free and open to the public

 

 

 


Maine Immunization Program Lunch & Learn; Friday, Noon,

  • The Maine Vaccine Board added these two new vaccines to the list of available vaccines through the Maine Immunization Program (MIP), MenQuadfi™ & VAXELIS™
  • Both vaccines are now available to order to all enrolled VFC Providers.
  • MIP will be hosting an educational lunch and learn on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 12:00 PM to provide guidance on the new vaccine products.

The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) will be hosting an educational lunch and learn on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 12:00 PM to provide guidance on the new vaccine products, MenQuadfi & VAXELIS.

MIP staff will be joined by:

  • Manufacturers of both vaccine products
  • Dr. Amy Belisle, Maine’s Chief Child Health Officer, and
  • Dr. Lawrence Losey, Pediatrician with Mid Coast Pediatrics.

The education will cover immunogenicity, safety, dosing, administration, and storage & handling. We encourage you to join us for this informative presentation.

Date: Friday July 30, 2021 Time: 12:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92370855904?pwd=WTQ3S0tyVElSSkNFR3BzNmNHSFpWZz09#success

Meeting ID: 923 7085 5904

Passcode: vaccine

For questions on any immunization-related issue, please call (207) 287-3746 or email ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov. Thank you for all that you do to keep Maine children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases

The meningococcal quadrivalent conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) vaccine formulation, MenQuadfi™ (Sanofi), is approved for use in individuals 2 years of age and older. The vaccine is administered as a single 0.5 mL intramuscular dose. Starting at 2 years of age, MenQuadfi is interchangeable with the other MenACWY vaccines, Menveo® (GSK) and Menactra® (Sanofi).For individuals younger than 2 years of age, Menveo can be used starting at 2 months of age and Menactra can be used starting at 9 months of age. For more information on MenQuadfi, see the package insert here.

Also available for ordering is VAXELIS™ (Sanofi and Merck), the new hexavalent vaccine indicated for protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).This is the first vaccine available in the U.S. which has a hepatitis B and Hib component in addition to DTaP and polio components. The vaccine is approved for use as a three-dose series in children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to the 5th birthday). The three-dose series consists of a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. For more information on VAXELIS, see the package insert here.

This is the first vaccine available in the U.S. which has a hepatitis B and Hib component in addition to DTaP and polio components. The vaccine is approved for use as a three-dose series in children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to the 5th birthday). The three-dose series consists of a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. For more information on VAXELIS, see the package insert here.

The Maine Immunization Program brochure can be downloaded here.