Technically Speaking: 3 Important Tools for Your Electronic Tool Bag

This month I want to point out three tools that many clinical and public health personnel will find remarkably useful. Some are new, but the first is just new to me.

1. Using the YouTube video translation tool

You are probably familiar with the excellent videos from the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. They address many of the most common parent questions, such as:

• Can a Flu Vaccine Give Me the Flu?
• Why is Aluminum in Vaccines? Isn’t It Dangerous?
• Why Are Fetal Cells Used to Make Vaccines?
• Can I Space Out My Baby’s Vaccines?
• Are Vaccines Safe?

Perhaps you would like to share these with a family that prefers a language other than English. Below are the steps for getting closed captioning for these videos in other languages.

1. Open the video of interest by clicking on the white arrow in the middle of picture.
2. On the lower right side of the screen, click the “CC” button to turn on the subtitles.
3. Next, on the lower right side of the screen, click the settings icon (it looks like a gear).
4. In settings, click the “Subtitles/CC” arrow to switch from English.
5. In the Subtitles/CC box, click on "Auto-translate."
6. Scroll down and click on your desired language.
7. The captions should now appear in your desired language. It is important to note, however, that these translations are not always perfect, so alert families that you are still available to answer their questions after they view the video.

For a free step-by-step guide with screen shots, visit “Getting closed captioning translations of videos” and click on the “Start Course” button.

2. Staying up to date on the ever-changing COVID-19-related guidance

COVID-19 vaccine guidance is moving forward faster than my systems for tracking it. To help us ensure that we are using the most recent information, Immunize.org (formerly known as the Immunization Action Coalition) has published a new two-page job aid, called “Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools.” This helpful guide lists the most recent information in six categories:

• Primary CDC guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccines
• COVID-19 immunization schedule
• FDA fact sheets and package inserts
• CDC COVID-19 vaccine clinic support tools (e.g., standing order templates, vaccine preparation and administration summaries, storage and handling summaries)
• Relevant clinic resources
• Immunize.org and additional CDC COVID-19 webpages

The “checklist” includes the most recent revision dates of each document and links dates to the original document or webpage. Immunize.org will update this list at least monthly, showing the most recent review date at the top of each page. To be sure you are using the most recent information, check your reference materials against this list.

For other materials, or to view this resource, visit the “Handouts & Staff Materials” section of Immunize.org; the two-page checklist is available in the COVID-19 section of the vaccine index tab.

3. Getting answers to questions about vaccine recommendations

Imagine that you have a 10-year-old patient who lives in your state but spends two months every summer with family in Puerto Rico. Should that child be evaluated for possible dengue vaccination?

What if you have an adult patient with hepatitis C, is that an indication or a contraindication to vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine?

What length needle should you use for intramuscular vaccination of a 95-kg (209.4 lb) woman who needs to receive the vaccination in her thigh?

One of the best places to find answers to difficult immunization questions like these is the “Ask the Experts” section on Immunize.org. The questions and answers are divided into 30 topics that include infectious diseases, ranging from COVID-19 to zoster, as well as vaccine delivery issues (e.g., billing and reimbursement, vaccine safety).

If you have not checked out this important resource in the past, do so today. If you are in a hurry but wondering about the answers to the above questions, go to these quick links:

• A 10-year-old in Puerto Rico two months each year — possible dengue vaccination?
• An adult patient with hepatitis C — possible hepatitis B vaccination?
• Needle length for IM vaccination of a 95kg (209.4 lb) woman?

I hope that these three tools are of value to you as we launch into spring 2022.