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VFC

Temperature Reporting for Online Vaccine Ordering

Temperature Reporting for Online Vaccine Ordering

Temperature logs must be submitted on the same day as any order placed for federal vaccine (VFC, VFAAR, flu, COVID-19, or monkeypox)!

Temperature logs are to be uploaded in PhilaVax and emailed to tempcheck@phila.gov. The logs must show that the unit is within the appropriate temperature ranges and that there have been no alarms. This reporting guide can assist you in submitting your DDL temperature files.

For more information on ordering and how to upload your temperature log, please attend the next online ordering training on November 10, 2022 from 10:00AM – 11:00AM EST. Click the link below to register for the training.

Register: Online Ordering Training

If your site uses a privately purchased DDL or cannot upload in PhilaVax, please contact tempcheck@phila.gov.

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy! 

VFC and VFAAR Shipping Delays

VFC and VFAAR Shipping Delays

Our vaccine distribution center is currently working through an unanticipated backlog of flu and non-flu VFC and VFAAR orders.To ensure that your site has the vaccines you need during this time, please plan to order additional vaccine before you run out and order an additional 1 -2 weeks of vaccine in your next order, if you have space in your storage units.Continue to order flu vaccine as needed.Order additional non-flu vaccine every 25 days (from last approved order) or when you are down to a 2- 3 week supply of any given vaccine. If it has been less than 25 days since your last order, complete your reconciliation and then email our team at DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov to open your order. Use the ordering formula cheat sheet to calculate how much vaccine to order.

Immunization Techniques Training

Immunization Techniques Training

Wednesday, October 12, 2022, from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

**Please arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals will not be able to attend.**
The Immunization Program is hosting a FREE Immunization Techniques training this Fall. Class participants are limited and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of 20 participants will be accepted per session. Participants can only attend one training per year.This half-day, interactive, education session will focus on the basics of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines, immunization administration techniques, and pediatric immunization schedules. We encourage attendance by Nurses and Medical Assistants who administer vaccines or who will be administering vaccines 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!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to dphproviderhelp@phila.gov.

Additional VFC & VFAAR Flu Vaccine Presentations Available to Order

Additional VFC & VFAAR Flu Vaccine Presentations Available to Order

These vaccines are now available to order for your patients:

  • VFC
    • Flucelvax prefilled syringes
    • Flumist intranasal
  • VFAAR
    • Flucelvax prefilled syringes
Please visit our flu ordering page for more information on the available vaccines.

Have questions?

Contact Christine Wilson at 215.685.6728 or christine.wilson@phila.gov or Charma Miller at 215.685.6667 or charma.miller@phila.gov for assistance.Thank you for keeping Philadelphia healthy by fighting flu! For more information about influenza in Philadelphia, visit our flu page.

Aetna Better Health Medicaid Coverage Discontinued

Aetna Better Health Medicaid Coverage Discontinued

Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania (ABH-PA) Medicaid Coverage was Discontinued Wednesday, August 31st, 2022. As of Thursday, September 1, 2022, patients with this plan will no longer be covered by this plan. Letters were sent to ABH-PA plan members to help them with the transition. They can also call the phone number on the back of their card for more information.

As a provider, please:

  • Continue to vaccinate these patients. They are still VFC and medicaid eligible.
  • Do not charge patients out of pocket for care or vaccine administration. 
  • Support patients identify, or as they identify, a new provider if their new Medicaid plan is out of network. Email our team at vaccines@phila.gov with any questions.

These changes do not affect the Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania Kids Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Aetna Better Health CHIP will remain in place following the changes to their Medicaid program. 

Questions?

You can direct questions regarding the closure of ABH-PA to their dedicated mailbox at PAMedicaidClosureProviderRelationsMailbox@AETNA.com. 

Other questions can be directed to vaccines@phila.gov. Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy!

Get Your Patients Up to Date With Polio Vaccine

Get Your Patients Up to Date With Polio Vaccine

Cases of polio, or poliomyelitis, have recently increased. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented with safe and effective vaccination. The CDC urges providers to offer polio vaccine to everyone who is not fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
Pediatric Guidance (2 months through 18 years of age)CDC recommends that children get four doses of polio vaccine. Children should get one dose at each of the following ages: 
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 through 18 months old
  • 4 through 6 years old
Children who have not started their polio vaccine series or who are delayed in getting all recommended doses should start as soon as possible or finish their series by following the recommended catch-up schedule. View the Polio catch-up guidance for children 4 months through 17 years of age here.Adult Guidance (19 years of age and older)
Most adults in the United States were vaccinated as children. However, adults who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or are fully vaccinated but are at higher risk for contact with poliovirus should receive polio vaccination. Adults who are at increased risk of contact with poliovirus and who have previously completed the polio vaccination series (IPV or OPV) can receive one lifetime booster dose of IPV. Learn more about which unvaccinated adults could be at higher risk, such as international travelers, laboratory workers, and healthcare professionals.

CDC Continuing Education – Available Tuesday, 9/6

For more information about polio, treatment, and vaccination, the CDC’s continuing education Pink Book course is coming up on September 6. This is an on-demand video with no registration required.

VFC & VFAAR Flu is Now Available to Order!

VFC & VFAAR Flu is Now Available to Order!

Flu vaccine is now available to order for your VFC and VFAAR eligible patients. Visit our flu page for instructions on how to place your first order and which products are available to order now.Please note, all flu vaccine from the 2021-2022 season must be accounted for before you can order flu for the 2022-2023 season.
  • Account for any unused 2021-22 VFC/VFAAR flu vaccine still at your site using PhilaVax:
    • Process a return for the unopened vials online in the Vaccines Returns module. A job aid with step by step instructions can be found here.
    • Complete an adjustment for any open MDVs in the Inventory Module. A job aid with step by step instructions can be found here.
We will send out additional emails and update the flu page as more presentations of flu become available.

Have questions?

Contact Christine Wilson at christine.wilson@phila.gov, or Charma Miller at charma.miller@phila.gov, or Angelica Echevarria at angelica.echevarria@phila.gov for assistance.

VFC & VFAAR Flu Ordering Will Open 8/29/22

VFC & VFAAR Flu Ordering Will Open 8/29/22

VFC & VFAAR providers can order flu for the 2022-23 season starting Monday, 8/29/22.

Make sure your site is ready!

  • Account for any unused 2021-22 VFC/VFAAR flu vaccine still at your site using PhilaVax:
    • Process a return for the unopened vials online in the Vaccines Returns module. A job aid with step by step instructions can be found here.
    • Complete an adjustment for any open MDVs in the Inventory Module. A job aid with step by step instructions can be found here.
    • Complete these steps today to avoid delays in processing your site’s 2022-23 flu season orders. If you have questions, contact DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov.
  • Order flu materials for your office. Get the conversation started about the importance of flu vaccination with these free posters.
  • Make sure that your EHR/EMR is set-up to report this year’s flu products. These are the vaccine available this year.

Visit our Flu Page on our website for more information on what vaccines are available and to gain access to flu resources and free print materials.

Menactra No Longer Available Through VFC or VFAAR

Menactra No Longer Available Through VFC or VFAAR

Menactra can no longer be ordered through VFC or VFAAR. The inventory of Menactra at the CDC depots has been depleted.
Sites that were using Menactra, need to transition to one of the other MCV4 products available, Menveo from GSK or MenQuadfi from Sanofi, if they have not already.
If your site ordered Menactra, and you have not already, please take a few minutes to complete this survey to let us know which MCV4 vaccine you plan to order going forward.

Return Expired Doses of Flu Today!

Return Expired Doses of Flu Today!

All VFC/VFAAR influenza vaccine supplied by the Philadelphia Immunization Program during the 2021-2022 flu season has expired. Please account for unused VFC/VFAAR flu vaccine at your site using PhilaVax:
  • Process a return for the unopened vials online in the Vaccines Returns module. A job aid with step by step instructions can be found here.
  • Email DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov to account for open vials of flu vaccine.

Return your vaccine before August 15th

Please complete these steps by August 15, 2022, to avoid delays in processing your site’s 2022-23 flu season orders. If you have questions, contact DPHProviderHelp@phila.gov.

Don’t delay, return your expired vaccine now!

It is difficult to anticipate exactly when flu vaccine will be available. However, the health department is committed to getting flu vaccine to our providers as soon as it arrives. To prevent delays, please complete your flu return today.All communication about the availability of flu vaccine will be made via email and posted on our website. Keep an eye out for upcoming messages! If you need to add more people to our mailing list, please contact us at vaccines@phila.gov.Thank you for helping to protect Philadelphians this past year! We look forward to working together to keep people safe from the flu next season.