IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES

UNDERSTANDING AND ENCOURAGING IMMUNIZATIONS THIS RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON

In the Childhood Vaccine Program's newsletter “Vaccine Blurbs” (access it here), the Washington State Department of Health detail the supply increase in nirsevimab, and the recommendations for healthcare providers. 

 We are acutely aware of how frustrating the supply issues have been, and the stress that it has placed upon our healthcare systems. However, at this time, the Snohomish County Health Department does not have the ability to disseminate information to the public on which clinics are carrying nirsevimab. Currently, additional doses of nirsevimab remain available for ordering in WAIIS.

Learn more by reviewing the RSV and Nirsevimab Recommendations Webinar from DOH recorded on 2/1/24.

MCO INCENTIVES FOR HEDIS MEASURES AND IMMUNIZATION-RELATED OUTPUTS:

1. MCO 2023 Immunization Flyer – please note this flyer is only for clinic knowledge and NOT to be posted in patient-facing area. 

To note: The incentives listed are for the 2023 year. However, depending on the MCO, some of the benefits roll into 2024, or there is a grace period for applying that continues through 2024. Please click the links within the PDF to learn more. To receive the 2024 chart as soon as it is available, please email Parris.Thompson@co.snohomish.wa.us to be added to the distribution list.

FURTHER RESOURCES FOR CVP CLINICS:

TEMP LOG SUBMISSION CHANGE STARTING JANUARY 1^ST:

Refer to the Vaccine blurb (access it here) for further detail on the REDCap submission process. Please continue to monitor your inboxes for the link to access your clinic’s portal.

RAPID QI OPPORTUNITY:

Interested in collaborating with other Pediatric or Family Med clinics throughout the state on improving adolescent vaccination rates? Please refer to this QI Opportunity through the Washington Chapter of the AAP.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE:

RABIES INFORMATION

Did you know that many animal bites and scratches don’t meet the criteria to recommend administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies? Bats are the primary animal that carry rabies in Washington state, though less than 1% of bats in the wild are infected with rabies in their lifetimes. Looking to learn more about rabies in Washington? The Washington State Department of Health’s Rabies Resource page has a helpful overview and links to resources. If you have a patient present for rabies prophylaxis following an animal encounter and have questions about whether rabies PEP would be recommended by public health, please call our Communicable Disease team at 425-339-3503.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAM'S HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS TEAM

IT'S HERE: CANDIDA AURIS

Candida auris has been identified in a resident of Snohomish County just months after the first cases were identified in Washington State. Candida auris is an emerging, often multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive healthcare-associated infections with high mortality.

What can your organization do to prevent and identify C. Auris? Here are a few recommendations:

• Use disinfectants that are effective. The EPA’s List P contains the products with kill claims against C. Auris, including the manufacturer, active ingredients, and the contact time required to be effective.
• Speak with your lab provider to verify their lab is able to speciate Candidaspp. isolates, especially those taken from normally sterile sites (e.g. bloodstream, cerebrospinal fluid). Additionally, we recommend that, when Candida spp. Is isolated from non-sterile sites, species-level identification should be considered in certain circumstances, including: 

• When clinically indicated in the care of a patient.
• When a case of C. auris infection or colonization has been detected in a facility or unit, in order to detect additional patients colonized. Species identification when Candida is found in non-sterile sites can be implemented for at least one month until no evidence exists of C. auris transmission.
• When a patient has had an overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside the United States in the previous year, especially if in a country with documented C. auris transmission. 
  • Colonization for longer than a year has been identified among some C. auris patients; therefore, hospitals might also consider determining the species for Candida isolated from patients with more remote exposure to healthcare abroad.

• Review the Washington State Department of Health's and CDC's C. auris pages for more information and resources for patient education.
• If you have a patient with a suspected or confirmed C. auris infection or colonization, please reach out to our Communicable Disease team at 425-339-3503.
• If you have any questions about C. auris, other multidrug resistant organisms, or your infection prevention and control program, please reach out to the County Health Department's Infection Preventionist Amanda Reilly at 425-359-2364 or Amanda.Reilly@snoco.org.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

YOUTH VAPING QUIT KITS

Vaping prevention is an important strategy for keeping youth and communities happy and healthy. However, the reality is that many youth are already experiencing nicotine addiction. Interventions that include youth-specific cessation resources may be more effective in steering teens toward quitting for good. The Snohomish County Health Department’s Youth Vaping Quit Kits contain materials known to support cessation, like water bottles and flavor-infused toothpicks, as well as links to teen-friendly behavioral health programs and guidance for developing healthy coping strategies for stress and other factors that can contribute to feeling the need to vape.  

The quit kits were assembled in partnership with the Sky Valley Youth Coalition in Sultan. 

To learn more and place a quit kit order, contact Brittany.bevis-sciuto@co.snohomish.wa.us

ADVANCING HEALTH LITERACY