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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:

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!

Adolescent Immunization Action Week is Here!

Adolescent Immunization Action Week is Here!

April 3 to April 7, 2023

Vaccination helps prevent adolescents and young adults from getting sick and missing out on activities that are important to them. Help keep adolescents up to date on their immunizations against potentially life-threatening diseases like meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, HPV-related cancers, COVID-19, and flu.

PhilaVax Closed to Orders from 3/29 through 4/4

PhilaVax Closed to Orders from 3/29 through 4/4

PhilaVax will be temporarily closed to new VFC/VFAAR orders from 12PM on Wednesday, March 29, until 9AM on Tuesday, April 4, while the vaccine prices are updated for 2023.During this time, any orders entered into PhilaVax IIS will be deleted from the system and not processed.If you need to a place an order, submit it before 12 PM on Wednesday, March 29.  Normal order processing and shipping will resume at 9 AM on Tuesday, April 4.

New Vaccine Products Available Through VFC

New Vaccine Products Available Through VFC

On November 4, 2022, FDA licensed a new formulation of Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral (Rotarix, GSK). The new formulation comes as a liquid that does not require mixing or dilution. The new formulation (1.5mL x 10 applicators) will be available for VFC providers to order March 1, 2023. The original formulation (1mL x 10 vials and applicators) will be available until the supply is depleted or expires.To change the formulation that your site orders, complete the Vaccine 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.

RotarixRotarix, oral (1.5 mL x 10 applicators) will be available March 1, 2023, through the Vaccines Children (VFC) program.
  • UPDATE: The ACIP routine recommendation for Rotarix is a two dose series, given at 2 and 4 months of age. For catch up vaccination: Do not start the series on or after 15 weeks, 0 days. The maximum age for the final dose is 8 months, 0 days. View the 2023 ACIP pediatric/adolescent schedule.
  • CVX code: 119
  • CPT code: 90681
  • NDC number: 58160-0740-21
For more information on the new formulation of Rotarix, review the package insert.Additional resources:

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

What’s New With Pediatric Vaccines?

What’s New With Pediatric Vaccines?

This month, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published updated immunization schedules for 2023. COVID-19 vaccine has been added to the routine pediatric immunization schedule for ages 6 months and up, among other important additions. There have been several recent changes to vaccine products for pediatric patients as well.  

ACIP Immunization Schedule Changes 

The changes in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ pediatric immunizations schedule  from 2022 to 2023 are:  

  • COVID-19 row: COVID-19 vaccination now recommended from age 6 months–18 years. 
  • Pneumococcal conjugate row: PCV15 has been added. It is interchangeable with PCV13. 
  • IPV row: A “See Notes” section has been added to the column for people aged 17–18 years. 

The changes in the catch-up immunization schedule for 2023 are:  

  • Pneumococcal conjugate row: Language has been revised. The text now reads “This dose is only necessary for children aged 12–59 months regardless of risk, or aged 60–71 months with any risk, who received 3 doses before age 12 months.” 

The changes in the immunization by medical indication schedule for 2023 are: 

  • COVID-19 row: A new row was added to summarize COVID-19 vaccination recommendations by medical conditions or other indications.  

View the full MMWR here. 

Product Changes

The changes in routine pediatric vaccine products from 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 are:  

  • MMR: Priorix added. 
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MCV4): Menactra discontinued, and MenQuadfi added. 
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15): Vaxneuvance added. 
  • Flu (IIV4):  
    • Flucelvax (multi-dose vial): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 2 yrs+.  
    • Flucelvax (single dose syringe): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 2 yrs+. 
    • Fluzone (multi-dose vial): now available at 6 mo+ instead of 3 yrs+.  
    • Afluria (pre-filled syringe): 0.25 mL pre-filled syringe for 6 – 36 months no longer available. 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe available at 3 yrs+.
    • Afluria (multi-dose vial): available at 6 months – 3 yrs for 0.25 mL dose and at 3 yrs+ for 0.5mL dose.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers customizable reminder and recall resources for your practice to help ensure children are caught up on routine vaccinations. 
 
If you are not already a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider, enroll your practice in the VFC program using this guide.  

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 the winter storm that impacted both the FedEx and UPS main hubs as well as some of our vaccine distribution centers last week. Due to this please be aware that there are likely to be delays with some vaccine shipments this week.  For your February order, 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.

January Provider Training Schedule

January Provider Training Schedule

PDPH offers monthly virtual trainings for interested vaccine providers. View the schedule and sign up for trainings at the links below.

COVID-19 Clinical Rounds for Providers
Tuesday, January 10, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
This presentation will be conducted by one of PDPH’s clinicians and will include general COVID updates and the most recent FDA/ACIP recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Storage & Handling Training
Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
This presentation will include the most recent storage and handling updates, as well as a review of best practices.

Online Ordering Training
Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am
This presentation will include the most recent Clinic Tools and Inventory managing updates, as well as a live, step-by-step example.

Vaccine Safety Monitoring Systems Training
Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 9:00 am – 9:30 am
This training includes an overview of the current monitoring systems in place (VAERS, V-Safe, VSD, CISA), an explanation of how to utilize these resources in your practice, and examples of reportable events.

If you can’t attend these trainings this month, they will recur in February. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to dphproviderhelp@phila.gov.

New Vaccine Products Available Through VFC & VFAAR

New Vaccine Products Available Through VFC & VFAAR

View more information about Priorix and Vaxneuvance, now available through VFC and VFAAR, below. There have been a number of updates to the available vaccines for the VFC and VFAAR programs. Lists of vaccines currently available through VFC and VFAAR can be accessed through these links.

Complete the following survey to notify our program of which vaccine your site prefers. We will review each site’s submission and reach out 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.

Vaccine Change Request

Priorix and Vaxneuvance

In line with the updated ACIP recommendations:

Priorix (Measles, Mumps and Rubella, MMR) is now available through the Vaccines Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults at Risk (VFAAR) programs.

  • Priorix is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella in individuals 12 months of age and older.
  • For all recommendations, MMR II and Priorix can be used interchangeably.
  • VFC and VFAAR providers must decide whether they will order MMR II or Priorix going forward. To change the product your site orders, complete the Vaccine Change Request form, linked above.
  • CVX code: 03 CPT code: 90707
  • For more information on Priorix, review the summary document.

Vaxneuvance (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV15) is now available through the VFC program.

  • Vaxneuvance is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F in individuals 2 months of age and older.
  • For all recommendations, PCV13 and PCV15 can be used interchangeably.
  • VFC providers must decide whether they will order Prevnar (PCV13) or Vaxneuvance (PCV15) going forward going forward. To change the product your site orders, complete the Vaccine Change Request form, linked above.
  • CVX code: 215
  • CPT code: 90671
  • For more information on Vaxneuvance, review the summary document.

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

Ensure Patients Are Up to Date With Polio Vaccination

Ensure Patients Are Up to Date With Polio Vaccination

Vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples and infected one unvaccinated person in New York this year. In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, polio vaccination rates among children remain low. 

Prevent community transmission by ensuring patients are up-to-date with polio vaccines in their upcoming well or sick visit. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, delaying immunizations at sick visits can lower immunization rates. Use every opportunity to vaccinate!

What is polio?

  • A potentially disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus. 
  • Usually spread through the fecal-oral route, and sometimes through the oral-oral route.
  • Most people infected with polio have no apparent symptoms. Some experience mild symptoms (e.g. sore throat, fever, nausea).
  • 1% of polio cases result in paralysis. Paralytic polio can result in death, especially among people diagnosed as adults.
  • Up to 40% of children diagnosed with polio experience new symptoms in adulthood (post-polio syndrome).

Who should get vaccinated?

Pediatric

  • All unvaccinated children should receive the polio vaccine (IPV).
  • CDC recommends 3 doses of IPV for primary series and 1 booster dose for children at the following ages:
    • Dose 1: 2 months old
    • Dose 2: 4 months old
    • Dose 3: 6 through 18 months old
    • Booster: 4 through 6 years old
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children should receive IPV vaccination as soon as possible in accordance with the recommended catch-up schedule.

Adult

  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults who are at increased risk of infection (e.g. international travelers) should receive their completed series of IPV in the following intervals:
    • Dose 1: at any time
    • Dose 2: 1-2 months after Dose 1
    • Dose 3: 6-12 months after Dose 2