Tuesday, April 5, 2022 | 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a virtual conference
Conference website, Conference brochure
The 27th annual MA Adult Immunization Conference was held virtual (due to the current COVID-19 pandemic) on Tuesday, April 5th, 2022. This year’s conference theme ‘2022: Trials, Transitions, & Triumphs,’ recognizes the difficulties encountered when vaccinating adults during the COVID-19 pandemic; acknowledges the adaptations adult vaccine providers have made; and celebrates all which has been accomplished since the pandemic’s early days. We discussed the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Massachusetts, the latest ACIP recommendations for routine vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccinations, examined the safety of vaccination during pregnancy, identified communication strategies to disseminate accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy. Breakout topics included: Updates on new vaccines, vaccine preventable diseases, and strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccination in equity communities.
We are grateful to the many supporters and virtual exhibitors of this conference. We also honor the 2022 MA Adult Immunization Champions: Cherelle Rozie and Whitney Huffman for their outstanding effort to promote and foster adult immunization with the BMC HealthNet Plan Mercy Alliance ACO.
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Amy Sgueglia, MSN, RN
MA Adult Immunization Coalition Facilitator
Plenary A: Pregnancy and Vaccines – History, Safety, and Current Recommendations
Kevin Ault, MD, FACOG, FIDSA
Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center
Dr. Ault discussed how the pandemics of the 20th and 21st century have shaped today’s maternal immunization recommendations, as well as the impact of these pandemics on current maternal immunization recommendations and present information about the safety and efficacy of vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccination, during pregnancy.
Plenary B: COVID-19 Vaccination
Sarah Meyer, MD
Medical Officer, National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Meyer described COVID-19 vaccine data for safety and efficacy from clinical trials and real-world studies and discussed the impact of COVID-19 vaccination by comparing cases and deaths by vaccination status and review the clinical considerations for COVID-19 vaccines.
Plenary C: Tackling COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation (Part A)
Plenary C: Tackling COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation (Part B)
Joe Smyser, PhD
CEO, Public Good Project, Project VCTR
Dr. Smyser explored how misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccination has spread through social media and other sources. He also provided take-away strategies to counter vaccination misinformation.
Plenary D: COVID-19 Vaccination in Massachusetts – Distribution and Rollout
Pejman Talebian, MPH, MA
Director, MA Department of Public Health, Immunization Division
Pejman Talebian discussed COVID-19 vaccination distribution and rollout across the Commonwealth.
Plenary E: National Adult Immunization Update & Latest Recommendations
Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH
Health Communications Specialist, AD Communications Team, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccine Task Force
Dr. Kroger reviewed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adult vaccines. Topics covered were hepatitis B vaccine, pneumococcal vaccines, and zoster vaccine.
Session A: Adult Immunization 101
Laurie Courtney, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, MA Department of Public Health, Immunization Division
During this session, the adult immunization schedule was reviewed, along with the principles of vaccination, required documentation when administering vaccines, and how to screen patients for contraindications and precautions to vaccines. Additional topics of discussion were: Vaccine safety, common vaccine errors, and how to report errors and vaccine-adverse events, and COVID-19.
Session B: VPD Epidemiology in MA During the Never-ending COVID-19 Pandemic
Juliana Jacoboski, MPH
Epidemiologist, MA Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology & Immunization
This scenario-based session covered recent trends in the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases, including COVID-19, and provided an overview of current guidance concerning COVID-19 prevention and control in a variety of settings.
Session C: Vaccinating the Most Vulnerable – Strategies to increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in Equity Communities (JHolden)
Session C: Vaccinating the Most Vulnerable – Strategies to increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in Equity Communities (ENettle)
Jessica Holden, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
Executive Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professor, Westfield State University
Nurse at Tapestry Healthcare
Eduardo Nettle, BS
Population Health and Community Engagement Coordinator, MA Department of Public Health, Office of HIV/AIDS, Behavioral Health Unit
This panel session discussed the strategies used to increase vaccination in some of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable adult populations. Panel members explored strategies to increase awareness of, acceptance of, and access to COVID-19 vaccination in these populations how it has been used across the states 20 prioritized communities.
Alexandra Burke, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc; Amy Sgueglia, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc.; Ted Clark, MDPH; Pam Worthington, MDPH; Laurie Courtney, MDPH; Korey Hoffman, American Cancer Society; Susan Lett, MDPH; Dylan Tierney, MDPH; Pejman Talebian, MDPH; Melissa Enos, MDPH; Angela Kramer, Ludlow MA
For information on registration, reimbursement, continuing education certificates, the Virtual Attendee Hub, viewing session video on-demand, or any other issues relating to the virtual conference, please contact Conference IT Manager and Registrar, Alexandra Burke at 617-385-3874 or by email at alexandra_burke@jsi.com.