Author: Viviana Sanchez-Gomez

New Meningococcal Vaccine for Pediatric Patients

This blog post is part of a series highlighting essential changes in the 2024 ACIP immunization schedules.

This series is written alongside Immunization Program Medical Specialist, Dr. Mayssa Abuali.

Dr. Abuali is board-certified in general pediatrics, pediatric infectious diseases, and pediatric hospital medicine. Dr. Abuali has served the Philadelphia pediatric community for the past 10 years. She served as the Director of the Einstein Pediatric Inpatient Service at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and as the Director of the Einstein Pediatric New Arrivals clinic.

A new meningococcal vaccine has been added to the 2024 childhood immunization schedule.

Penbraya contains five meningococcal serogroups (Groups A, B, C, W, and Y) and is approved for ages 10 years and up.

Currently, children must receive vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY, Menveo, or MenQuadfi) at age 11 or 12 years with a booster at 16 years. Separate meningococcal B vaccines (MenB, Bexsero, or Trumenba) can be given to 16 – 23-year-olds before entering college, joining the military, or during outbreak situations.

Penbraya is an option for certain children and adolescents who need MenB and MenACWY vaccines at the same visit. This group may include:

Adolescents aged 16-23 years due for their MenACWY booster and in need of MenB before entering college or other crowded living situations at the same visit.
High-risk children aged 10 years and older with complement deficiency, functional or anatomic asplenia (including sickle cell disease), or receiving complement inhibitors.

Second doses:

A second dose of Penbraya should be given 6 months after the first dose for those needing both MenB and MenACWY protection.
If only MenB is needed, then Trumenba must be used for the second dose in 6 months as that is the MenB component present in Penbraya. Bexsero and Trumenba are not interchangeable.

Travel: Those traveling to the sub-Saharan Africa meningitis belt or for Hajj (Saudi Arabia) require MenACWY vaccination. MenB is currently not recommended for travel.

The current meningococcal vaccines are both safe and effective. According to pediatric infectious disease expert, Dr. Mayssa Abuali, “Protection does wane with time, so boosters are necessary in cases of continued risk.”

We will inform providers when this product is available to order through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Learn more about meningococcal vaccines.

Vaccine Storage Update and Reminders

LogTag Update!

LogTag Version 2 will soon be replaced with LogTag Version 3. We will ask all providers to switch to Version 3 in January 2024. Look out for the link to the new software and guidance for updating your system.

Reminders

Start the new year right by checking your storage and handling procedures! Use the checklist below to make sure your team is properly managing vaccines.

Does your team…

Send in temperature data every 28 days and immediately if the DDL alarms?
Send in your temperature data on the same day the order is placed for every order?
Always both email your temperature data and upload to PhilaVax (for sites with PDPH’s DDLs)?
Update your paper temperature logs twice a day?
- In the morning with the current temperature, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature
- End of day with the current temperature
Make sure you are using the most updated Paper Temperature Logs?
Have a current Vaccine Management Plan attached to your fridge or freezer that has been updated within the last 12 months?
Have a plan in place and all necessary materials to move vaccine in an emergency (see the Vaccine Management Plan)?
Replace the DDL’s batteries when low?
- Please check your DDL for a low battery signal (see image below) and reach out to TempCheck@phila.gov if a battery is needed!

Please check out our website and reach out at TempCheck@phila.gov with any questions.

Thank you for being a trusted vaccine provider!

Mpox Vaccine: Holiday Delivery Pause

Mpox vaccine deliveries will be paused for the holiday from December 25 to 29.

Please remember to submit an order request by Monday, December 18 at 5 pm for your order to be approved the week of December 18. The last mpox delivery will be on Tuesday, December 19.

Remember to submit your temperatures to tempcheck@phila.gov and complete a reconciliation of vaccine on hand for your order to be approved.

Click the button below to submit your order for mpox vaccine.

Deliveries for mpox vaccine will resume the week of January 2, 2024! If you have any questions, please contact Marguerite Horton at marguerite.horton@phila.gov.

Order Mpox Vaccine

Quality Improvement Opportunity for VFC Providers

The Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP) Program is a CDC initiative to help providers implement strategies that support their immunization activities.

VFC-enrolled practices are chosen by the CDC for IQIP enrollment each year. However, starting this project year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024), VFC-enrolled practices may self-enroll in IQIP.

Practices that do not have pediatric patients capitated to them (e.g., shelter sites, sexual health clinics, and birthing hospitals) are not eligible to participate.

Why self-enroll in IQIP?

IQIP helps practices meet their goals of efficient and effective vaccination processes to ensure timely and complete vaccine coverage for all children.

How can IQIP participation serve pediatric departments and physicians?

IQIP efforts can be converted to group quality improvement (QI) projects, which can be eligible to fulfill the American Board of Pediatrics maintenance of certification (MOC) Part 4 requirements
IQIP can help residency programs develop QI projects and educational opportunities
Through IQIP, departments can meet national immunization quality metrics

What does IQIP offer?

Provider Quality Assurance (PQA) nurses through the Philadelphia Department of Health (PDPH) Immunization Program, in partnership with the CDC, offer guidance, practical recommendations, and technical support to practices aiming to increase their vaccination coverage rates.

The focus of IQIP is based on four CDC core strategies:

1. Facilitate patient return for vaccination
2. Leverage Immunization Information Systems (IIS) functionality to improve immunization practice.
3. Give a strong vaccine recommendation
4. Strengthen vaccination communications

Get in touch!

To enroll your practice in IQIP, contact your VFC Program PQA nurse Beth Smith at beth.smith@phila.gov, Dom Shannon at dom.shannon@phila.gov, or Jennifer Malins at jennifer.malins@phila.gov.

For more information on how IQIP can serve pediatric departments and physicians, please contact our newly onboarded Immunization Program Medical Specialist, Dr. Mayssa Abuali, at mayssa.abuali@phila.gov.

Learn more about IQIP!

Vaccine Shipment Delays During the December Holiday

Vaccine Shipment Delays During the December Holiday

Submit orders by Friday, December 8!

During the holiday season – from mid-December to early January – the distribution center that ships vaccine provided through the Vaccines for Children (VFC), Vaccines for Adults at Risk (VFAAR), and Bridge Access programs will have reduced shipping capacity. Orders submitted during this time will take longer than usual to ship.

To make sure that you have the vaccines you need during this time, submit orders by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 8. These will be processed and shipped out as usual. Be sure to check the status of your order within 2 business days of submitting.

Continue to check for tracking information daily as FedEx and UPS shipping delays continue. Use this job aid to assist you with reviewing this information.

Orders submitted after Friday, December 8 may not be delivered until the week of January 2, at the earliest. The distribution center will return to normal operations on January 2.

For assistance with completing your reconciliation or submitting your order, email our team at DPHProviderhelp@phila.gov.