From ND Health and Human Services

Measles Cases Continue in the US

In the United States as of March 6, 2025, a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. 

As of March 7, 2025, 198 cases of measles have been identified in Texas. The majority of these cases (153) have occurred in children, 23 have been hospitalized, and all of the cases aside from 5 have been in unvaccinated individuals. There has been one death in an unvaccinated school age child.  The outbreak has spread into New Mexico which is now up to 30 cases and has also had one death in an adult. 

North Dakota residents can check their NDIIS records by following the steps on this webpage: https://hhs.nd.gov/IRR. They should be encouraged to use the online application “Docket” for self-service access to their own records and records for their children under 18 years of age. NDIIS records may be incomplete for individuals who received vaccinations outside of North Dakota, at facilities that do not share information with NDIIS, or who received vaccinations before 1996 when the NDIIS was first available.

COVID-19 Interim Vaccine Effectiveness Estimates

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine was 33% against COVID-19–associated emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC) visits among adults aged ≥18 years and 45%–46% against hospitalizations among immunocompetent adults aged ≥65 years, compared with not receiving a 2024–2025 vaccine dose. VE against hospitalizations in immunocompromised adults aged ≥65 years was 40%.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months in the United States. Interim influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated among patients with acute respiratory illness–associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations from four VE networks during the 2024–25 influenza season (October 2024–February 2025). Among children and adolescents aged <18 years, VE against any influenza was 32%, 59%, and 60% in the outpatient setting in three networks, and against influenza-associated hospitalization was 63% and 78% in two networks. Among adults aged ≥18 years, VE in the outpatient setting was 36% and 54% in two networks and was 41% and 55% against hospitalization in two networks. Preliminary estimates indicate that receipt of the 2024–2025 influenza vaccine reduced the likelihood of medically attended influenza and influenza-associated hospitalization. 

Trends in Cervical Precancers Identified Through Population Based Surveillance

An MMWR published last week reports on the findings from the HPV-IMPACT project which looks at population-based cervical precancer incidence in five sites.  During 2008–2022, cervical precancer incidence decreased 79% and higher-grade precancer incidence decreased 80% among screened women aged 20–24 years, the age group most likely to have been vaccinated. This has important implications and continues to support the importance of HPV vaccination in adolescents and catch up in young adults.

Updated Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)

A number of VISs were updated as of January 31, 2025.  If your facility keeps physical copies on hand please make sure to check your VISs dates.  Providers can use up the remainder of their stock on hand but should move to the newer versions within six months of the new published date.

VISs updated: COVID19, Dengue, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza Live and Inactivated, MMR, MMRV, MCV4, Men B, Polio, RSV vaccine (not Nirsevimab), Tdap, Varicella, Cholera, Ebola and mpox. 

Temperature Monitor Update for McKesson Shipments

We wanted to make you aware that McKesson will begin using new electronic TagAlert temperature monitors for refrigerated vaccine shipments starting on March 10, 2025.   These monitors are similar to the ones that are currently being used in the frozen Moderna COVID shipments, and they monitor for both warm and cold excursions during the shipment. McKesson will continue to use a qualified cooler and pack out, in addition to these new monitors.

The flyer attached to this email includes information about the new temperature monitor and will be included in refrigerated vaccine shipments moving forward.  

Educational Opportunities

ND HHS Immunization Unit March Lunch and Learn: New NDIIS Tips and Tricks

• Wednesday, March 12th at 12 PM CST
• Join the meeting now

Registration is now open for the first ever North Dakota Public Health Conference

• May 19 – 21, 2025 in Bismarck, ND
• Register here

The American Cancer Society and the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable invite rural healthcare partners to join a collaborative learning community aimed at connecting partners and improving on-time HPV vaccination rates among adolescents aged 9–13. Attached is a flyer with program details.

• Second Wednesday of every Monday (March – December)
• First session March 12th at 1:00 PM CST
• Register here

If you have any questions please email vaccine@nd.gov.  Thanks!

 Abbi Berg

VFC/QI Manager