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Author: Samm Deighan

New COVID Ordering Guidelines

New COVID Ordering Guidelines

Starting this week providers can now order COVID vaccine through PhilaVax any day of the week. A closed reconciliation and most recent temperatures are still required to be submitted with an order for approval.Partial orders through Monday.com will continue to be due Wednesdays by 5pm. Please reach out to vaxonthego@phila.gov with any questions regarding the new ordering guidelines.

VIS Updates: Hepatitis B and PCV

VIS Updates: Hepatitis B and PCV

The vaccine information statements (VIS) for hepatitis B and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) including Prevnar 13, Vaxneuvance, and Prevnar 20 have been updated. Access the updated documents below:
Please take a few minutes to update any links to these documents in your EHR/EMR system and replace any printed copies of the documents.

VFC/VFAAR Re-enrollment Opens in Two Weeks!

VFC/VFAAR Re-enrollment Opens in Two Weeks!

The Philadelphia Vaccines for Children (VFC)/ Vaccines for Adults at Risk (VFAAR) annual re-enrollment period will take place June 1 – 30, 2023. For the fourth year, the enrollment will be done electronically through PhilaVax.To get your site ready for re-enrollment, complete these steps now.1. Update Clinic ToolsReview the information indicated for your site the Clinic Tools, Clinic Information module. Use these job aids to guide you though making needed updates to the clinic’s:
2. Make sure you have the access to PhilaVax you need.The vaccine coordinators and medical director must log into the PhilaVax IIS to access, complete and sign the electronic re-enrollment form. If you have not completed the 2023 User Confidentiality Agreement to renew your account or do not have a PhilaVax user account, use the link below to complete it now.PhilaVax User Confidentiality Agreement
If you have a PhilaVax account and need to update your password, you can email PhilaVax@phila.gov for assistance.Additional information and instructions will be communicated closer to the start of the re-enrollment period.Re-enrollment is a requirement for the VFC/VFAAR programs. Failure to complete the re-enrollment form will result in un-enrollment.Questions? Email our team at DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov.

J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration May 6, 2023

J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration May 6, 2023

This is a reminder that all remaining doses of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in the United States will expire on May 6, 2023.  All channels should prepare to clear their COVID-19 vaccine inventory of J&J/Janssen and discontinue further administration of this vaccine.The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Agreement specifically requires providers to:
  • dispose of expired COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with local regulations and processes regulating medical waste, and
  • report disposed as wastage in VTrckS
The Operational Summary for Identifying, Disposing, and Reporting COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage l CDC provides information to help awardees and immunization managers identify, handle, dispose of, and report waste in COVID-19 vaccination programs.The administration of expired vaccines continues to be a significant issue based on VAERS reporting. You can help prevent these errors by ensuring J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is removed from your storage units and disposing of it according to state and local regulations.

National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week

April 24 – 30, 2023
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a yearly observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). This year, in particular, it’s critical to ensure that families stay on track for children’s routine checkups and recommended vaccinations following disruptions from COVID-19.Research has consistently shown that healthcare professionals are the most trusted and influential source of vaccine information for parents. All staff in healthcare practices, including non-clinical staff, play important roles during NIIW.
To highlight childhood immunizations this NIIW:

Print and Digital Immunization Resources

Print and Digital Immunization Resources

We hope that 2023 is treating you well!We wanted to share some new resources with you from our team and the CDC. In addition to the digital resources linked below, we mailed out some great materials. Look for them in your mailbox this week!Looking for the most up to date immunization news? We got you!

Order Print Materials

Pediatric Immunization Techniques Training

Pediatric Immunization Techniques Training

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
**Please arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals will not be able to attend.** The Immunization Program is hosting a FREE Pediatric Immunization Techniques training this spring. Class participants are limited and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of 20 participants will be accepted. Participants can only attend one training per year.This half-day, interactive education session will focus on the basics of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine types, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and requirements, and pediatric immunization administration techniques.We encourage attendance by Nurses and Medical Assistants who administer vaccines or who will be administering vaccines to pediatric patients in the future. This course is beneficial to new practitioners as well as seasoned practitioners who need a refresher course or would like an update on best practices for administering vaccines.We hope to see you there!

Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccine

Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccine

CDC has updated the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States to reflect the following changes in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination schedule:

  • At the time of initial vaccination, depending on vaccine product, children ages 6 months–4 years are recommended to receive 2 or 3 bivalent mRNA vaccine doses; children age 5 years are recommended to receive 1 or 2 bivalent mRNA vaccine doses.
  • People ages 6 years and older who are unvaccinated or previously received only monovalent vaccine doses are recommended to receive 1 bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
  • People ages 65 years and older may receive 1 additional bivalent mRNA vaccine dose.
Updated clinical guidance for individuals who are immunocompromised will be shared as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Authorized for Primary Use

COVID-19 Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Authorized for Primary Use

CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose. COVID-19 monovalent vaccines are no longer authorized for use.
These changes include:
  • An additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised.
    • Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received a bivalent mRNA vaccine booster do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised.
  • CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their primary series.
    • For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.
  • Original monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is no longer authorized for use. Moving forward, bivalent mRNA vaccine is approved for the primary series.
What to do About Monovalent Waste
Monovalent vaccines in inventory and expired ancillary kits should be wasted. All wasted vaccine must be reported to PhilaVax, removed from your inventory, disposed of properly, and removed from Vaccine Finder. View the PDPH wastage guide.
The PDPH Immunization Program will share updated guidance next week when published by CDC.

Coming Soon: Discontinuation of All Monovalent COVID Vaccine Products

Coming Soon: Discontinuation of All Monovalent COVID Vaccine Products

FDA is expected to put out a HARD STOP on all monovalent Moderna and Pfzier mRNA products either this Friday (4.14.2023) or Monday (4.17.2023). Though monovalent products are still active for ordering, all Moderna or Pfizer Monovalent orders submitting this week will be rejected. Sites will be contacted to see if they want to switch to a bivalent product to complete these orders.
Bivalent products will be approved for primary and booster doses. ACIP will also approve a new bivalent schedule for 65yrs+ and immunocompromised individuals. Please look out for this information soon.