Greetings for health and prosperity in the New Year!
We will be celebrating the Immunization Coalition of Los Angeles County’s 25th anniversary in 2023 upcoming newsletters.
A New Year marks new beginnings. So let’s get started with a quote : “You will never win if you never begin.” – Helen Rowland
Below and attached are Immunization Coalition LA County (ICLAC) weekly updates including new tools, news-making headlines, and events. If you received this email and you would like to be added to our listserv, please contact us.
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NEW VACCINE RESOURCES
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for to raise awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most
often cause cervical cancers. Learn more about promoting cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination within your community from the following resources:
Toolkit: Resources to Promote Flu Vaccines
This toolkit from the National Minority Quality Forum provides resources encouraging flu vaccination. The toolkit includes shareable videos and social media posts. There is also the opportunity to submit a flu story that will be included on a social wall.
The toolkit is available here:
Resources to Promote Flu Vaccines | National Minority Quality Forum
Now Available in Spanish: Winter Virus Prevention Messages
The California Department of Public Health has added Spanish language messages to their Winter Virus Prevention toolkit, encouraging Californians to keep 5 tips in mind as they begin the New Year of 2023.
AIMing To Inform: A Podcast
AIMing to Inform is a limited series podcast hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), a nonprofit dedicated to establishing a nation free of vaccine- preventable disease. This series of conversations with immunization managers hopes to motivate and inspire public sector leaders while helping them feel supported in their role.
Explore the AIMing to Inform Podcast
NEW EVENTS, WEBINARS, TOWN HALLS
“Tripledemic”
January 10, 2023
12:00pm to 1:00pm PT
In this Virtual Grand Rounds, Michael Vollmer, M.D., an infectious disease clinician from the Permanente Medical Group, will share epidemiological and clinical data and stories about the so-called “tripledemic.” He will also help us learn from this year’s fall season and anticipate the remaining months of respiratory virus season. California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan, M.D., MPH, will also join to review COVID-19 and other important California public health issues.
Preventing Cancer Through Vaccination
January 18, 2023
4:00pm PT / 7pm ET
Voices for Vaccines next Vax Ambassador meeting, Preventing Cancer through Vaccination, will be a science-based and personal journey about vaccination as cancer prevention. Disparities in vaccine access and acceptance create health equity problems in this arena. Learn how to overcome these disparities to achieve better health outcomes for all.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VACCINATION NEWS & UPDATES
January 3, 2023 – Press Release link here
Case numbers increased slightly over the past week with an average of 2,350 cases currently reported per day, a 2% increase from the 7-day average of 2,300 cases reported per day last week.
This past week, there was an average of 192 hospital admissions per day; a slight increase from the 178 admissions per day one week ago.
DPH is urging the over 6 million residents not yet boosted to take advantage of easy and widespread access to the bivalent booster. For those who do end up infected with symptoms, please check with your provider right away about accessing therapeutics.
DPH is currently reporting an average of 19 deaths per day, an increase from the average of 16 deaths reported per day last week. Mortality remains very high for COVID-19, especially when compared to other respiratory viruses.
CDC modeling data estimates that nearly 360 flu-associated deaths have occurred in LA County since October while we can confirm 764 deaths due to COVID-related illness— more than double the number of flu deaths—during the same time period.
Winter holiday travel and celebrations could have increased transmission, similar to what we experienced after Thanksgiving. DPH continues to urge everyone to layer in protections over the next few weeks, including masking, testing, frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick. These steps will also protect from other respiratory viruses that are currently circulating in LA County, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
LA County remains in the Medium Community Level this week. But as previously noted, increases in holiday travel and gatherings could have led to increases in COVID transmission that could move us back to the High Community Level later this month.
Kick Off 2023 in a Positive Way
It remains important to start off 2023 well protected from high transmission of COVID and other respiratory viruses by:
Wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask during indoor events and activities
Handwashing during events, before and after eating, and when you get home.
Remaining home away from others when ill, even if testing negative for COVID-19.
Knowing that if you have COVID symptoms, or if you test positive, resources are available for you. At test-to-treat sites you can speak to a provider if you need a test or have a positive test and receive a prescription for therapeutics if appropriate. To find a site, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines
EXTERNAL NEWS HEADLINES
KHN: Public Health Agencies Try to Restore Trust as They Fight Misinformation
As public health departments work on improving their message, the skepticism and mistrust often reserved for covid-19 vaccines now threaten other public health priorities, including flu shots and childhood vaccines. (Lauren Sausser, 1/4)
Stat: Covid’s Winter Surge Is Poised To Exceed Summer Peak
The number of people in the United States hospitalized with Covid-19 is about to surpass the figure reached during this summer’s spike, federal data show, as a confluence of factors — from the continued evolution of the coronavirus to holiday gatherings — drives transmission. (Joseph, 1/3)
The Los Angeles Times: ‘We Didn’t Have Enough Cribs’: Inside a Children’s Hospital Strained by Viruses
The collision of RSV, influenza, COVID-19 and other viruses has strained children’s hospitals across the country this fall and winter, including Loma Linda in the Inland Empire, where “these numbers are beyond what we’ve ever had,” said Dr. Cynthia Tinsley, chief of its division of pediatric critical care. As RSV and other viruses sent more babies and toddlers to the hospital, “we didn’t have enough cribs.” (Reyes, 1/3)
NBC News: Flu And RSV On The Decline But Covid Hospitalizations Rise
Covid hospitalizations are rising in the United States, even as hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus and the flu continue to fall. (Lovelace Jr, 12/30)
CBS News: CDC Tracking Rise Of New XBB.1.5 COVID Variant, Already More Than 40% Of U.S. Cases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it is tracking a new variant of concern dubbed XBB.1.5. According to new figures published Friday, it estimates XBB.1.5 makes up 40.5% of new infections across the country. (Tin, 12/30)
Axios: XBB.1.5 COVID Variant: What We Know About Symptoms, Severe Cases
The XBB.1.5 COVID-19 subvariant — a new version of the Omicron variant — is sweeping through the United States right now amid a chaotic travel season and the early days of winter. Cases tied to the new variant nearly doubled over the last week, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Scribner, 12/31)
Editor:
Kimberly A. Cooper, MA
Staff Analyst, Liaison
