Antiviral treatments are prescription medications that can help the body fight viral infections – easing symptoms, shortening the length of sickness, and lowering the risk of spreading the infection. They’re especially valuable for older adults and other high-risk groups, but data shows a persistent gap between the need for these treatments and actual prescription rates.
The Alliance for Aging Research partnered with CVEEP to host a discussion on antiviral treatments for flu and COVID-19 – who should take them, how they work, the need to start them quickly after an infection, and what people should do if they are sick.
Panelists included:
Last year’s availability of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines marked a critical step in science and public health. Previously, no widespread prevention option existed to protect those at increased risk for RSV, including older adults, from this serious infectious respiratory disease. In the year since RSV vaccines were first introduced, real world evidence has shown that they are effective in preventing serious illness for individuals 60 years and older. However, despite the progress made towards RSV prevention, RSV vaccine uptake continues to remain low in older adults.
As we continue into peak respiratory season and beyond, CVEEP hosted an expert-led conversation on updated risk-based RSV vaccine guidance for older adults, the value of vaccination for adults at highest risk for severe RSV disease, and other important considerations to help promote vaccine uptake across communities.
Speakers included:
The discussion was moderated by Karyne Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, a convener of CVEEP.
As respiratory illness season is now underway, it’s crucial for healthcare professionals and the public to stay informed on the latest guidance regarding COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. The first featured a fireside chat featuring Dr. Peter Marks of the FDA, who shared key regulatory updates and highlighted the critical role of vaccines in preventing severe illness during respiratory season and beyond.
Following the fireside chat, a panel of experts analyzed the recent summer COVID-19 surge and outline what individuals need to know about receiving their updated vaccines. The panel also discussed the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of co-administering the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines, while examining the current trends in vaccine uptake. By stressing the importance of timely vaccination, the panelists offered practical insights and strategies to ensure widespread protection this fall.
Panelists include:
Risk-based vaccine recommendations are an important mechanism by which public health authorities provide guidance, encourage vaccination, and reach vulnerable populations. That said, implementation of risk-based recommendations can prove challenging.
As we navigate this year’s respiratory illness season, Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) held a discussion focused on best practices to support equitable access to respiratory vaccines, which will include an overview of CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for respiratory vaccines, and considerations specific to risk-based recommendations. Featuring insights from leading public health experts, clinicians, and government officials, the event explored what is working, where there might be barriers to implementation and gaps in communication and, how the public health community can work together to ensure all individuals are able to receive the vaccines they need.
Panelists included:
The discussion was moderated by Amy Pisani, CEO of Vaccinate Your Family.
For pregnant people, maternal vaccines are critical to prenatal care and help protect infants during their first few months of life when newborns are vulnerable to infectious respiratory diseases. As we approach the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season, four vaccines are available to help protect infants, including newly available prevention options. Yet, despite the important role of vaccines during pregnancy, rates of maternal vaccine uptake remain suboptimal.
To further this discussion, Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) hosted a conversation on current maternal vaccine guidance, including the maternal RSV vaccine, and potential solutions to address barriers that can impact access to recommended vaccines. The discussion featured provider perspectives across the healthcare continuum and addressed what individuals and organizations can do to help promote maternal vaccination.
Panelists included:
In the more than four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has impacted nearly every aspect of our daily lives. It has both magnified and exacerbated health inequities, highlighting the critical importance of access to reliable and digestible information for individuals and communities across the country.
Today, COVID-19 remains a threat to our health and to those around us. Fortunately, access to COVID-19 vaccines has improved outcomes and saved millions of lives. However, as updated vaccines become available in response to new variants, vaccinations for COVID-19 are low, and children and adults are falling behind on even routine vaccinations. With this context in mind, it’s important to understand and examine the current state of COVID-19 vaccination trends and vaccination challenges more broadly.
To further this conversation, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) partnered with Those Nerdy Girls for a 60-minute webinar discussion on the current state of COVID-19 response efforts. Panelists included:
The discussion was moderated by Beth Battaglino, RN-C, President and CEO of HealthyWomen, and convening member of CVEEP.
Ensuring that all individuals have access to recommended vaccines — the most effective way to protect both children and adults from many serious and potentially deadly diseases — is a public health priority. Several federal programs exist to advance vaccine access and equity. For more than 30 years, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally funded program, has provided all ACIP-recommended vaccines free of cost to children who may not otherwise be able to be vaccinated due to inability pay. Furthermore, in response to COVID-19 vaccines’ transition to the commercial market, CDC and HHS established the Bridge Access Program, which provides free COVID-19 vaccines for the 25-30 million adults who do not have health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs.
However, as the Bridge Access Program is set to expire at the end of 2024, the U.S. may soon face a major gap in vaccine equity as uninsured adults will be without a federal program that ensures their access to free vaccines. Given the success of the VFC program, public health advocates have called for a Vaccines for Adults or Vaccines for All program that would ensure that both children and adults—regardless of their insurance status—have access to all recommended vaccines.
To further this ongoing conversation, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project hosted an online event aimed at examining the need for a federal vaccine program such as Vaccines for Adults or Vaccines for All. Panelists discussed the low rates of recommended adult immunizations and the need for a federal program that ensures adults’ access to vaccines, the success of the VFC program as a model, and the potential impacts of the creation of such a program.
Panelists included:
Vaccines are among the most effective ways to help protect children from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. Unfortunately, the number of children in the U.S. who are up to date on routine vaccinations has declined in recent years, putting them at increased risk for infection. This continued backslide in childhood immunizations and low rates of COVID-19 vaccination is especially alarming as we approach winter months when cases of respiratory illness typically increase. With updated COVID-19 vaccines now available, there is an opportunity to reinforce the importance of pediatric vaccination and answer parents’ questions about recommended vaccines, coadministration, and coverage when administering annual flu vaccines or during well-child visits.
To help address these and other questions, the CVEEP and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) co-hosted an online event to examine how the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program covers payment of COVID-19 vaccines for children. During the 60-minute webinar, panelists discussed the importance of VFC, including eligibility and how the program covers updated COVID-19 vaccines, and proven strategies for combatting disparities in childhood immunization rates.
Panelists included:
The discussion was moderated by Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, NFID President, past voting member and current liaison to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) representing the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).
While vaccines remain the best protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and have helped reduce the number of infections and deaths from the virus, the recent uptick in cases and concerns about an increase this fall highlight the fact that COVID-19 is not gone, and millions of Americans continue to face a higher risk of severe illness from the virus.
In addition to being up to date on vaccinations, antivirals are an important and effective tool to reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of hospitalization for those at greatest risk of serious illness. Yet, despite the positive strides made since the start of the pandemic to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and the availability of treatment options, public awareness and timely access to antiviral treatments remain a challenge for many, particularly among some of the most vulnerable populations.
The COVID-19 Education and Equity Project and our partners hosted an engaging discussion focused on raising awareness about antiviral treatments as a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19. A panel of experts provided their perspectives on practical efforts underway to help improve equity and access, shed light on common risk factors, and discuss ways to empower communities to be aware, make a plan, and take action to protect themselves against COVID-19.
Speakers included:
In light of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the recent strain selection for the next updated COVID-19 vaccine, and the transition from government supply to traditional coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, consumers, health care providers and other stakeholders have a number of questions. To help provide clarity, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) and Vaccinate Your Family hosted a webinar with CDC, FDA, and HHS experts to discuss the latest guidance on who should receive an additional updated vaccine, dosing, and coadministration, in addition to COVID-19 vaccine coverage, access, and availability.
Panelists included: