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Author: Rishi Sharma

COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization

COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization

Tuesday, September 12, 2023, marked the beginning of COVID-19 commercialization. Here are some important changes to be aware of in this new period of COVID-19 vaccination:  

  1. The Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 program has formally ended.  
  1. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use.  
  1. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the use of updated (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccines. 
  1. Providers can order the updated COVID-19 vaccine for privately insured patients by directly contacting the manufacturers for each product (see below for more information). 
  1. With the exception of certain specialty providers, all Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers are required to stock COVID-19 vaccine inventory for both privately/CHIP insured patients and VFC eligible patients.  
  1. Philadelphia vaccine providers are encouraged to enroll in the Bridge Access Program to provide updated COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured or underinsured adults 18 years and older. 

The new COVID-19 vaccine products are monovalent (single), Omicron variant XBB.1.5. Under the new recommendation, everyone over 6 months is eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall.   

Providers can place COVID-19 vaccine orders for VFC eligible patients and/or the Bridge Access Program eligible patients through the PhilaVax immunization information systems (IIS). A step-by-step ordering guide is available to assist with this. 

Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine 

  • Everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to receive 1 dose of a 2023-24 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • Children ages 6 months – 4 years should complete a multi-dose initial series (2 doses of Modera or 3 doses of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) with at least one dose of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should complete a 3 dose initial series with at least one dose of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine and may receive 1 or more additional 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine doses. 
  • Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended. 

Available Products 

Pfizer 2023-24 COVID-19 Vaccine 

Comirnaty 12+ 

2023-24 COVID Vaccine 5 yrs – 11 yrs 

2023-24 COVID Vaccine 6 mo – 4 yrs 

Moderna 2023-24 COVID-19 Vaccine 

Spikevax 12+ 

2023-24 COVID Vaccine 6 mo – 11 yrs 

Additional Resources 

If your office needs assistance placing an order or has questions, please reach out to dphproviderhelp@phila.gov. 

Purchase Vaccine for Privately Insured Patients 

To procure vaccine on the private market, please contact your local sales representative: 

Guidance for Patients Regarding Vaccine Availability 

Patients are having some initial difficulty finding updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially pediatric doses. This is due to delays in shipping from manufacturers. The Health Department published recommendations for Philadelphians seeking updated COVID-19 vaccine doses. Read the recommendations here and consider sharing them with your patients. 

Additional Vaccines Available for VFC

Additional Vaccines Available for VFC

Flumist and the Moderna 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine for 6 mo – 11 yrs are now available to order for your VFC eligible patients through PhilaVax.

Flumist
Eligibility: 2 – 18 years
Packaging: 10 0.2 mL, intranasal sprayers
CVX: 149
CPT: 90672
NDC: 66019-0310-10

View a step-by-step ordering guide. 

View more information on all flu vaccines available this season. 

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 6 mo – 11 yrs
Packaging: 10 0.25 mL vials
CVX: 311
CPT: 91321
NDC: 80777-0287-92

View a step-by-step ordering guide here.

View more information on all COVID-19 vaccines available this season. 

VFC and VFAAR Shipping Delays

VFC and VFAAR Shipping Delays

Our vaccine distribution center is currently working through an unanticipated backlog of VFC and VFAAR orders as a result of having relocated. Due to this please be aware that there are likely to be delays with some vaccine shipments.

For your September and October orders, add 1 to 2 weeks of additional vaccine, if you have space in your storage units. Please add a note to the comments section of the order indicating this intention.

As a reminder, you can order routine vaccines every 25 days (from the last approved order). Use the ordering formula cheat sheet to calculate how much vaccine to order. Continue to order flu vaccine as needed.

We’re here to help! Reach out to us with any questions at DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov.

PIC Conference Registration Open Now! 

PIC Conference Registration Open Now! 

Philadelphia Immunization Coalition Fall Conference

We are excited to invite you to join us for the 2023 Fall PIC Conference, at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia. Our speakers include Dr. Andrew Kroger and Dr. Paul Offit, among others to be announced.  Topics covered will include COVID, Infant and Maternal RSV, Community Panel, Hepatitis B, and PDPH Updates.

Check-in begins at 8:30am.

Tickets will be $40 and include breakfast, all day coffee, and a wonderful hot lunch. Continuing education credits will also be provided.

Register ASAP to reserve your spot and reach out with any questions to veronica.alvarez@phila.gov.

Location

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
View on map

Date and Time

Oct 04, 2023 8:30am ET – Oct 04, 2023 3:30pm ET

Register

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Penn State College of Medicine and Philadelphia Immunization Coalition. Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Annual Conference Agenda

8:30am-9am: Arrive for Registration and Breakfast

9am-9:40am
PDPH Updates
Amber Tirmal, MPH, PDPH

9:40am-10am
Hepatitis B Updates
Danica Kuncio, MPH, PDPH

10am-10:20am
Community Grantee Updates (Local Community Organizations)

10:20am-10:35am
Break/Exhibitors

10:35am-11:50 am
Influenza/RSV/COVID
Dr. Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH, CDC

12pm- 1pm
Lunch/Exhibitors

1pm-2:15pm
Maternal RSV
Dr. Paul Offit, MD, CHOP

2:15pm-2:30 pm
Break/Exhibitors

2:30pm-3:30pm
Panel: Challenges and Opportunities for Pediatric Vaccination
Charna Blake, BSN, RN
AHS Vaccine Coordinator

Andrea Bailer, MSN, CRNP
CHOP Care Network

Jennifer Rice
Esperanza Health Center, Inc.

Kendra B. McDow MD, MPH, FAAP
School District of Philadelphia

COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Order Through VFC and the Bridge Access Program

COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Order Through VFC and the Bridge Access Program

On September 12, 2023, ACIP approved the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines. The new products are monovalent (single), Omicron variant XBB.1.5. Under the new recommendation, everyone over 6 months is eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall.

This marks the start of commercialization. VFC sites are now required to stock COVID-19 vaccine, for both your privately/CHIP insured patients and your VFC eligible patients.

Recommendations

  • Everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to receive 1 dose of a 2023-24 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Children ages 6 months – 4 years should complete a multi-dose initial series (2 doses of Modera or 3 doses of Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) with at least one dose of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should complete a 3 dose initial series with at least one dose of the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine and may receive 1 or more additional 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine doses.
  • Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended.

Starting, today, Thursday September 14, sites are able to order COVID-19 vaccine for VFC and/or the Bridge Access Program through PhilaVax. View the step-by-step ordering guide.

Available Products

Additional resources

If your site needs assistance placing an order or has questions, please reach out to dphproviderhelp@phila.gov.

To procure vaccine on the private market, please contact your local sales representative:

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy. If you have any general questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Pediatric Pneumococcal Vaccine Updates

Pediatric Pneumococcal Vaccine Updates

As a reminder, Prevnar 20 (PCV20, Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugant Vaccine; NDC 00005-2000-10) is now available to order for your VFC eligible patients. Prevnar 13 (PCV13) is no longer available to order through the VFC program. Please read our previous advisory on these changes.

To transition from PCV13 to Vaxnuvance (PCV15) or PCV20, providers can either:

  • Continue to use any remaining Prevnar 13 vaccines still on-hand through the expiration date before transiting to PCV15 or PCV20.
  • Return remaining doses of PCV13 after receiving a supply of VFC PCV15 or PCV20. Providers who choose to return PCV13 doses before the expiration date will not be penalized. Instructions on how to return vaccine can be found here. If returning PCV13 before expiration, please indicate “other” for the return reason (see step 6 of the job aid).

If you have clinical questions about Prevnar, please review these resources:

We will continue to provide updates as we get clarification from the CDC.

In you have additional questions, email, Victor Obeck, VFC Coordinator, victor.obeck@phila.gov. 

COVID-19 Program Ends Today

COVID-19 Program Ends Today

Today, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, marks the end of PDPH’s COVID-19 program and the beginning of commercialization.

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are no longer be authorized for use. Any remaining products in your inventory must be immediately discarded.

Use of unauthorized product to vaccinate patients is not allowed. Instead, providers may privately purchase new 2023-2024 COVID-19 products or enroll in the Bridge Access Program to receive vaccine for eligible patients. Ordering for VFC/Bridge Access enrolled providers will open later this week after today’s ACIP meeting.

We want thank you all for your participation in this program helping to vaccinate Philadelphia residents against the COVID-19 virus. We hope that we can continue to work together to protect Philadelphians from vaccine preventable diseases. 

Starting today, you can privately purchase new 2023-2024 COVID-19 products to vaccinate patients with private insurance and enroll in the Bridge Access Program to receive vaccine for eligible patients.

Bridge Access Program

Eligible providers interested in continuing to receive federally funded COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to enroll in the Bridge Access Program. This program ensures the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine to underinsured and uninsured patients 19 years and older. 

Submit a pre-enrollment form today to begin the enrollment process and be among the first providers to offer 2023 – 2024 authorized COVID-19 vaccine to Philadelphia residents.

Bridge Program Pre-enrollment Form

New Vaccine Product Available for VFC/VFAAR

New Vaccine Product Available for VFC/VFAAR

A one-vial presentation of Menveo (MenACYW-135) is now available through the Philadelphia VFC & VFAAR programs. This presentation does not require reconstitution. The Prescribing Information now describes both presentations of Menveo: the current two-vial presentation and a new one-vial presentation. 

One-vial Presentation (NEW) 

  • NDC: 58160-0827-30 
  • For use in individuals 10 years through 55 years of age. 
  • The one-vial presentation contains Menveo in a single vial with a pink cap 
  • This presentation does not require reconstitution. 
  • Available to order for VFC and VFAAR. 

Two-vial Presentation

  • NDC: 58160-0955-09
  • For use in individuals with special medical conditions 2 months through 9 years of age going forward*
  • The two-vial presentation includes a vial with a gray cap containing the MenCYW-135 liquid conjugate component and a vial with an orange cap containing the MenA lyophilized conjugate component. The contents of the vials must be combined to form Menveo prior to administration. 
  • The two-vial presentation is no longer available through VFAAR. 
  • Providers with existing supply of the Menveo 2-vial presentation on hand may continue to administer the vaccine to indicated VFC-eligible patients aged 2 months – 18 years of age. Do not initiate returns of the Menveo 2-vial presentation until the vaccine expires. The Philadelphia VFC Program will not process returns of unexpired Menveo 2-vial vaccine.

*There is a limited supply of the two-vial presentation available through the VFC program. To ensure that vaccine is available for individuals 2 months of age through 9 years of age, plan to only use the two-vial presentation for individuals 2 months through 9 years of age. Order the one-vial presentation for individuals 10 years through 18 years of age. 

CPT/CVX Codes

The CPT and CVX code for the new presentation is the same as the old presentation:  

  • CPT: 90734 
  • CVX: 136

Resources

Sites using the two-vial presentation of Menveo you can now order the one vial presentation. Please make sure the Menveo, one-vial presentation, is added to your EHR before ordering. If you have any issues ordering, please reach out to our coordinators:

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Please note, Menveo and Menquadfi are interchangeable. To change the formulation that your site orders, please complete the Change Request Form. Our team will review your request and reply with next steps. We recommend that sites that are part of a system or are affiliated use the same vaccine presentations across sites to ensure continuity of care and help prevent administration errors.

Urgent Update on COVID-19 Program

Urgent Update on COVID-19 Program

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s (PDPH) COVID-19 program is expected to end this Tuesday, 9/12 when full commercialization begins.

Any COVID-19 vaccine in your inventory received from PDPH will no longer be authorized for use. All remaining inventory must be reported as wastage and removed from both your PhilaVax and Vaccine Finder inventories. These doses should then be discarded following the guidelines used by your site.

Additionally, if you received a PDPH Digital Data Logger to monitor your COVID vaccine, we will be in contact to schedule a pick-up of this device.

Reporting of COVID Vaccine

With the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccine, please report the administration of these vaccines with your routine immunization data submissions to the Immunization Information System.

Bridge Access Program

As a reminder enrollment for the Bridge Access Program is live! If your patient population includes underinsured and uninsured individuals 19 years of age and older you may apply for pre-enrollment using the link below!

Bridge Access Program

Thank you!

We want to thank all sites for participating in the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program. Through your hard work and diligent efforts we were able to vaccinate many Philadelphians and bring greater health to our residents.

Private COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement 

Private COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement 

Commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines is occurring next week. VFC Providers are required to match vaccines on the private side. We have created an FAQ to assist providers through this transition. 

Take these steps now to plan which COVID-19 vaccines you will purchase privately: 

  1. Review the anticipated presentations of vaccine products.
  2. Decide which products you plan to carry for your pediatric population. You may need to order more than one product to vaccinate all the children you see who are between 6 months – 18 years of age. You do not need to order multiple products for the same age group. 
  3. Establish relationships with manufacturer(s) for the vaccine products you plan to offer.

Review anticipated presentations of products

Establish relationships with manufacturers

Reach out to these pharmaceutical representatives to prepare your practice to order private stock of COVID-19 vaccine:

Once we have more information about VFC COVID-19 vaccine ordering, we will release resources and trainings to provide further guidance in this process.