The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has reported an outbreak of meningococcal disease in men who have sex with men (MSM). Healthcare providers are advised to administer meningococcal vaccine to MSM in Rhode Island if their travel (or travel plans) include visiting New York City with expected close social interaction with other MSM. Healthcare providers in Rhode Island are also advised to administer meningococcal vaccine to MSM who have regular social interaction with other MSM from New York City.

The availability of Pediarix will be limited for the next six months because of increased demand being experienced by the vaccine manufacturer. Between May and September, healthcare providers will need to supplement their vaccine supply with the individual vaccine components (DTaP-IPV-HepB).

The 2012-2013 Influenza Reconciliation page has been activated for providers to close out the influenza season. When reconciling, please keep these important reminders in mind: (1) Practices should complete their final reports through the weekly influenza reporting system before completing the reconciliation page. (This is because a practice's pre-book for the 2013-2014 influenza season will be based on the doses reported as administered by that practice during 2012-2013.) (2) Pay close attention to the section concerning "Cumulative reimbursable doses administered to non-eligible patients or out of state residents". Practices will be required to reimburse Rhode Island for the cost of this vaccine. (3) The reconciliation page allows providers to request returns of unused influenza vaccine. Please place all the influenza returns in a separate box, labeled "Influenza Returns". A pickup will be scheduled as soon as possible, however it may take as long as two months for the vaccine to be picked up.

Boostrix will only be shipping in single dose vials until mid-July. The vaccine will not be available in pre-filled syringes before this date.

CDC published Updated Recommendations for Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) in Pregnant Women — Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2012 in the February 22 issue of MMWR (pages 131-135).