MHA Today | August 26, 2024

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay

The FDA and CDC recently approved and authorized the updated COVID-19 monovalent vaccines for 2024-2025. The recommendations are for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for use in individuals 6 months of age and older. These updated vaccines are more closely paired with the currently circulating variants, and all eligible individuals are encouraged to seek vaccination even if they have been previously vaccinated for COVID-19.

The 2023-2024 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized but is no longer available in the United States as all doses have expired. The CDC recommendations for use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine have been removed from the interim clinical considerations.

Staff Contact: Kaitlyn Thomas

The Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with MHA, is offering a limited number of $5,000 stipends for Missouri clinics providing postpartum care. Funding is intended to support implementation of universal screening, brief intervention and referrals to clinical care for postpartum patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Interested organizations will need to apply for the stipend, and select one or more eligible activities from this list and/or provide enough detail of a relevant intervention to be supported by stipend funds. All eligible activities are intended to support implementation of universal SBIRT for mental health and SUD — leading causes of maternal morbidity in Missouri.

Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 13. Awards will be made in the order of receipt until the funding is exhausted.

Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Sheala Dusheke

September is National Preparedness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year’s theme will focus on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities and highlights the importance for diverse communities to prepare for disasters and build resilience before disaster strikes.

Hospitals should consider sharing information and facilitating exercises with both their staff and the public throughout this important month. It’s also a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and recognize ongoing efforts to create prepared and resilient organizations. Look for additional resources from MHA and be sure to share your planned activities so we can celebrate alongside you. Thank you for everything that you do to support safe patient care within Missouri’s communities – during September and all year long.