MA Adult Immunization Conference 2024

29th Annual MA Adult Immunization Virtual Conference
Confidence & Compassion in a Complex Vaccine World

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Conference Website

The 29th annual MA Adult Immunization Conference was held in-person on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024. This year’s conference theme was ‘Confidence & Compassion in a Complex Vaccine World.’ The overall goal of this conference was to educate Massachusetts healthcare professionals on current and best practices for adult immunization. The 2024 conference offered an opportunity to receive the most updated information on routine adult immunization from leading experts in the field and network with immunization experts and colleagues. We discussed vaccine safety, sexual health and vaccines, vaccine equity, recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adult vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

We are grateful to the many supporters and exhibitors of this conference. We also honor the 2024 MA Adult Immunization Champion: Dr. Rocio Hurtado, for bridging the linguistic divide that often separates Spanish-speaking individuals from life-saving knowledge about vaccines and for weaving a stronger fabric of vaccine confidence within communities of color in Revere, Chelsea, and Lowell.

 

Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Amy Sgueglia, MSN, RN
MA Adult Immunization Coalition Facilitator

 

 

Plenary A: Vaccines Under the Microscope: How Can We Know They Are Safe?
Paul Carson, MD, FACP
Professor of Practice, Management of Infectious Diseases
Dept. of Public Health, North Dakota State University

This presentation reviewed in detail the multi-layered systems in place in the U.S. to assure licensed vaccines are safe, and that both providers and patients can be quite confident in their                                                   recommending and receiving vaccines.

 

Plenary B: Sexual Health and Vaccines
Kevin Ard, MD
Medical Director, Assistant Professor
MGH Sexual Health Clinic, National LGBTQIA+ Health Center, Harvard Medical School

This session discussed how vaccines play an important role in maintaining sexual health. Prevention of sexually transmitted infections through vaccination was reviewed.

 

Plenary C: Vaccine Equity Panel and Q&A 

In this panel discussion, the participants below discussed steps taken across Massachusetts to increase vaccine equity in adult populations. While much of this recent work was done around COVID-19 and flu vaccine initiatives, the lessons learned can be applied to all adult vaccines. See slides for each panelist below.

 

Stephanie Kang, DrPH, MS
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Health Equity
Massachusetts Department of Public Health

 

 

 

Jennifer L. Kimball, BA
Rural Community Engagement Specialist
State Office of Rural Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

 

 

 

Lisa Felci Jimenez, LSW, RN
Director of Nursing and Transitional Care
Mystic Valley Elder Services

 

 

Plenary D: National Adult Immunization Update & Latest Recommendations
Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH
Medical Officer, Center for Disease Control & Prevention
National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases

This presentation reviewed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adult vaccines. Changes made to the ACIP schedule in the past year were highlighted.

 

Plenary E: State Immunization Update
Pejman Talebian, MA, MPH
Director, MA Department of Public Health, Immunization Division

This presentation discussed topics specific to adult immunization in the Commonwealth.

 

 

Plenary F: Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation: Lessons Learned and Reflections From A Battleground
Paul Carson, MD, FACP
Professor of Practice, Management of Infectious Diseases
Dept. of Public Health, North Dakota State University

This presentation explored the historical, philosophical, and psychological roots of vaccine hesitancy. Dr. Carson reviewed some of the factors that led to the politicization of the COVID-19                                                 vaccine, and some of the lessons we can learn as a path forward.

Thank you to our 2024 Virtual Exhibitors!

• AstraZeneca
• CSL Seqirus
• Dynavax
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Executive Office of Elder Affairs
• GSK
• MA Association of Public Health Nurses
• Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project (MVCP)
• Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP)
• Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS)
• Massachusetts Vaccine Clinic Management (VCM) Platform | Color
• MDPH Immunization Program’s Vaccine Management Unit
• Merck
• Moderna
• National Association of Health Services Executives Greater Boston Chapter (NAHSE) 
• NovaVax
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Team Maureen
• VaxCare

 

Thank you to our dedicated Planning Committee:

Alexandra Burke, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc; Amy Sgueglia, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc.; Amanda Wilhoit, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc.; Ted Clark, MDPH; Pam Worthington, MDPH; Laurie Courtney, MDPH; Angela Fowler, MDPH; Pejman Talebian, MDPH; Deanna Mazina, MA Office of Elder Affairs; Angela Kramer, Ludlow Department of Health

Questions?

For information on registration, reimbursement, continuing education certificates, the Virtual Attendee Hub, viewing sessions 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.

View the conference website here