VFC

PhilaVax Temperature Reporting Requirement Update Important: VFC & VFAAR orders submitted to PhilaVax without temperature data will be rejected. * We will no longer contact VFC & VFAAR sites to request missing temperature data after the order date. VFC & VFAAR orders will be rejected, and the...

New Vaccine Product Available Through VFC: Penbraya (MenABCWY) On October 20, 2023, the FDA licensed Pfizer’s pentavalent vaccine Penbraya to prevent meningococcal serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y. As a reminder, MenB vaccines are not interchangeable. The same vaccine (either Bexsero by GSK or Trumenba by...

Congratulations to last week’s survey winner: Puentes De Salud! But wait, there’s another chance to win and help us better prepare for the next flu season! We will hold a second drawing to win a free buzzy.  To enter our second drawing, use the button below...

2024 Influenza Ordering Survey While flu remains prevalent across the country, the 2023-2024 flu season has seen a drop in coverage, and Philadelphia is no exception.    Fill out this short survey (less than 3 minutes) to help us better prepare for next flu season. Every site...

Pediatric Immunization Techniques Training  Join us for a pediatric immunization techniques training for Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers!   The Immunization Program is hosting a free pediatric immunization techniques training for VFC providers. Class participants are limited and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. A...

Protect Children Against Travel-Associated Infections  This blog post was written alongside Dr. Mayssa Abuali, who has served the Philadelphia pediatric community for the past 10 years.  There are several measles outbreaks internationally and 58 measles cases have been reported across 17 jurisdictions the United States in 2024. 93% of...

RSV Season Ends March 31 As the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season draws to a close on March 31, we want to remind all healthcare providers of important considerations regarding administering nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and RSV immunization.  End of RSV season: The RSV season officially concludes on March...

Recommend HPV Vaccine at Every Visit!  The HPV vaccine is approved for ages 9 years through 45 years for all genders. The American Cancer Society and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend vaccination at age 9.  Early vaccination at age 9-10 years has several benefits, including more...

Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) Supply and Borrowing Update The supply of nirsevimab allocated to the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program has been depleted. Therefore, no doses are available to order for the remainder of the 2023-2024 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. As we approach the end of the RSV...

Catch Up Pediatric Patients: MMR Vaccine There is a measles cluster in Philadelphia that started with an infant and spread to unvaccinated individuals. It has resulted in now 7 confirmed cases of measles among Philadelphia residents and an index case in Delaware county.To prevent further spread, review your...

Vaccine Product Available Through VFC: Abrysvo Abrysvo is a maternal RSV vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.  RSV is surging and the pediatric infant immunization Beyfortus supply is severely limited. Abrysvo will play an important role in protecting infants against severe RSV disease this season. Most...

New Immigrant and Refugee Pediatric Vaccination This blog post was written alongside Dr. Mayssa Abuali, who has served the Philadelphia pediatric community for the past 10 years. At the first domestic health visit with new immigrant or refugee pediatric patients, clinicians should review all available vaccine records,...

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...

Administration Errors: RSV for Infants On November 30, CDC alerted immunization programs that they have received reports of infants being mistakenly administered RSV vaccines intended for adults. Infants should only receive the RSV preventive antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus, Sanofi).RSV vaccines (Arexvy by GSK and Abrysvo by Pfizer) are...

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...

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...

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) Updates Due to the unprecedented demand for nirsevimab, supply of this product is extremely limited through both the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and the private market. Below is an update on available supply and tips on how to prioritize use of available doses....

Pneumococcal Vaccination for Asthmatic Pediatric Patients  This blog post is part of a series highlighting important changes in the 2024 ACIP immunization schedules. This series is written alongside newly onboarded Immunization Program Medical Specialist, Dr. Mayssa Abuali. Dr. Abuali is board certified in general pediatrics, pediatric infectious...