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Notices

Tips for Managing Short-Dated COVID-19 Vaccine Inventory

Tips for Managing Short-Dated COVID-19 Vaccine Inventory

COVID-19 vaccine shipped by McKesson in the following months will be short-dated, meaning the manufacturer expiration dates will be shorter than usual.  

McKesson will continue distributing COVID-19 doses until the vaccines are within 30 days of expiry.  

Here are some tips for managing short-dated COVID-19 vaccine inventory:

  • Order smaller quantities of vaccines more frequently while maintaining a 3–4 week vaccine supply.  
  • Make note vaccine expiration dates when receiving shipments and routinely check expiration dates when completing monthly reconciliations.  
  • Rotate short-dated vaccines to the front of the inventory and use them first.
  • Conduct outreach to Bridge Access Program and Vaccines for Children (VFC) eligible patients and schedule them to get vaccinated before doses expire. 

Have questions? Email us at vaccines@phila.gov.

Call for Nominations: 2024 Immunization Champion Award

Call for Nominations: 2024 Immunization Champion Award 

This email marks the launch of the nomination period for the Immunization Champion Award! We look forward to receiving your nominations and selecting a 2024 Immunization Champion for Philadelphia. The Immunization Champion Award is a national award program hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and honors individuals going above and beyond to foster and/or promote immunization in their communities. Access the nomination form below.

Submit a nomination!

Nominations will be accepted until May 10, 2024. Please share this email with your networks. 

Instructions for Nomination 

Individuals can be recognized for their work in childhood, adolescent, or adult vaccines.

Who is eligible?

  • Healthcare professionals (i.e., pharmacists, physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants)
  • Nonprofit leaders
  • Community activists
  • Parents
  • School and education leaders
  • Coalition members
  • Community-based organization members
  • Immunization partners

Who is ineligible?

  • Immunization program managers
  • County, state, and federal government employees paid by state or federal immunization funding
  • Individuals who have been affiliated with and/or employed by pharmaceutical companies
  • Individuals who have already received the award
  • Groups – the award is only for individuals 

If you have any questions, please contact info@immunizationmanagers.org. Additional information can also be found here.

Pediatric Immunization Techniques Training 

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 maximum of 21 participants will be accepted. Participants can only attend one training per year.

This half-day, interactive training is tailored to VFC sites only and will focus on the basics of:

  • Vaccine preventable diseases 
  • Vaccine types
  • Immunization administration techniques 
  • Pediatric immunization schedules

Training Details: 

Hosts: Division of Disease Control, Immunization Program 

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: Jefferson Center 1101, Market St., 13th Floor, Training Room Phila., PA 19107

Presenters: 

  • Beth Smith, BSN, RN – Provider Quality Assurance Nurse
  • Dom Shannon, BSN, RN – Provider Quality Assurance Nurse
  • Nichole Holmes, MPH – Training Coordinator 
Training Registration Form


We encourage attendance by RNs, LPNs, and MAs who administer vaccines or will administer vaccines in the future. This course is beneficial to new and seasoned practitioners who need a refresher or would like an update on best practices for administering vaccines.

Important note: This training does not offer continuing education credits/units. Upon completion, a certificate will be distributed. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, reach out to nichole.holmes@phila.gov.

LogTag Version 3: Optional Update

LogTag Version 3: Optional Update

The newest version of LogTag is now available. If you would like to update your software, you or your IT department can download LogTag Version 3 here.

Once downloaded, configure the software so that you can easily download the required temperature files and reset the DDL.

Use the Version 3 guide below to assist you.

Version 3 Guide

Important Information

  • This update is optional. Version 2 will continue to work. We are not currently requiring sites to update.
  • Version 3 is now the only LogTag software available for download. So, if you need to re-download the LogTag software (for example, you get a new computer), you will have to download Version 3 at that time.
  • This change does not affect PhilaVax. You should still upload to PhilaVax as usual.

Reach out with any questions to TempCheck@Phila.gov.

For additional guides, helpful information, and other resources, visit the Storage and Handling section of our Resources page.

Increase in Mpox Cases in Philadelphia

Increase in Mpox Cases in Philadelphia

There is an active mpox outbreak in the Philadelphia area. There were 5 confirmed cases between January and October 2023, and Philadelphia began seeing an increase in cases in November 2023. In recent weeks, 0–4 cases per week have been reported, with a total of 17 cases identified. Vaccination continues to be an important preventative measure as recent cases were unvaccinated.

Eligible individuals should receive mpox vaccination with the Jynneos vaccine. Vaccinating high-risk individuals will help prevent further community spread.   

Use the button below to order the Jynneos vaccine.  If you do not carry the Jynneos vaccine, please counsel and refer to either Health Center #1 or available Rite Aid pharmacies. Use the CDC’s mpox vaccine locator to find a Jynneos provider in your area.  

Order Mpox Vaccine


JYNNEOS Commercialization  

Bavarian Nordic (Jynneos manufacturer) intends to move the Jynneos vaccine (mpox) to a commercial market in the spring. In anticipation of this change, providers are encouraged to place vaccine orders to accommodate your patient population. Once the Jynneos vaccine is commercialized, please refer patients to Rite Aid pharmacies and FQHCs.

Clade I Variant

Clade I mpox virus, a highly transmissible variant causing more severe disease, is circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To date, only Clade II has been detected in the U.S. since 2022. Similar to Clade II, Clade I can also be acquired through sexual contact. Clinicians should inquire about travel to the DRC in all patients with suspected mpox. Testing for suspected Clade I should be coordinated through PDPH. To report cases, please call (215) 685-6748. For immediate reporting and consultation after hours, on weekends, and on holidays, please call (215) 686-4514.

Resources

Protect Children Against Travel-Associated Infections 

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 US cases were linked to international travel. Most cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals.  

As the summer season and international travel near, pediatric healthcare providers should ensure children are current on routine immunizations, including MMR and other vaccines that protect against travel-associated infections. 

Prior to international travel, CDC recommends: 

  • Infants 6 months of age or older receive their first MMR vaccine at least two weeks prior to departure. 
  • Children aged 12 months and older should receive their second dose prior to travel, and at least 28 days after the first dose.
  • At this time, the CDC does not recommend early doses of MMR for domestic U.S. travel.

In addition to measles vaccination, providers should also offer:  

  • Early hepatitis A vaccine to infants of 6 months of age or older traveling to endemic areas. 
  • Early meningitis vaccine to travelers heading to Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca or to the meningitis belt in sub-saharan Africa. The available conjugate ACWY vaccines include:  
    • MenQuadfi is approved for use in individuals 2 years of age and older. 
    • Menveo is approved for use in individuals ages 2 months and older.  
  • Typhoid vaccine if traveling to an endemic area (i.e., Africa, Latin America, Asia). Typhoid vaccines are only available at travel clinics. There are two typhoid vaccines licensed in the U.S.:
    • Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS) for intramuscular use approved for 2 years and older. 
    • Live attenuated vaccine (Vivotif) for oral use approved for 6 years and older.

Resources  

RSV Season Ends March 31

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 31. Therefore, it is essential to administer all remaining doses of nirsevimab to eligible children before April 1. 
  • Do not discard unused immunizations: If you possess surplus doses of nirsevimab at the end of this RSV season, do not discard them. The expiration date for Beyfortus has been extended to two years. These doses can be safely stored and utilized when the RSV season resumes on October 1.   

We recognize the challenges encountered during this RSV season and extend our gratitude to all healthcare providers for their patience, flexibility, and perseverance. According to the CDC’s latest data, 43% of newborns received RSV coverage this year despite the limited availability of Beyfortus.

If you have any questions or require further guidance, please contact Victor Obeck, VFC coordinator, at victor.obeck@phila.gov.

PhilaVax Closed to VFC Orders from 3/26 through 4/1

PhilaVax Closed to VFC Orders from 3/26 through 4/1

PhilaVax will be temporarily closed to new VFC orders from 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, until 12 p.m. on Monday, April 1, while the vaccine prices are updated for 2024.

Any orders entered into PhilaVax IIS during this time will be deleted from the system and not processed.

If you need to place an order, submit it before 12 p.m. onTuesday, March 26. 

Normal order processing and shipping will resume at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 1.

Updated CDC Guidance for Community Settings

Updated CDC Guidance for Community Settings

Earlier this week, the CDC updated the respiratory virus guidance and suggested additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 65 and older. 

The recommendations in this guidance may help reduce spread of respiratory illness such as RSV, influenza, and others.

  • People in community settings with respiratory symptoms should stay home until symptoms improve and they are fever-free for 24 hours and take transmission-based precautions for five days after leaving home.
  • People aged 65 years and older currently make up the majority (70%) of those hospitalized with COVID-19. They are now eligible for an additional dose of vaccine, provided it has been at least four months since the last dose. 
  • Individuals of all ages should receive at least one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine this season. 

This recommendation provides specific guidance for non-healthcare congregate settings, such as confinement facilities and shelters. Isolation and exposure recommendations for healthcare settings, including acute, post-acute, and outpatient settings have not changed.    

For any questions, email vaccines@phila.gov. 

Recommend HPV Vaccine at Every Visit! 

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 robust immune response and increased likelihood of completing the series.

March 4 is International HPV Awareness Day!

To help increase HPV vaccination rates back to pre-pandemic levels:

  • Recommend HPV vaccine at every visit for 9-26-year-olds who have not begun or completed their series. Data shows that your recommendation may improve vaccination rates by 5 times. 
  • For adults aged 26 years through 45 years, engage in shared decision making to help determine the benefits of vaccination.  
  • Vaccination recommendations should be made in all healthcare settings, including acute, non-acute, GYN, dental, and pharmacy locations. 

Steps to Recommend HPV Vaccine to Hesitant Parents

Use a Presumptive Announcement Approach: 

  • Your child is __ years old.
  • Today, they are eligible to receive Tdap, HPV, and MCV vaccine.
  • We will make sure they get all these shots to keep them safe and healthy.

If parent hesitates:

Connect and Counsel:

  • What’s your main concern?
  • Counsel using a research-tested method (ex.”Over 30,000 Americans get cancer from HPV every year. Most could be prevented with the HPV vaccine.”)

If parent declines:

Try Again: 

  • Almost 70% of parents who initially declined later agree to HPV vaccine or plan to vaccinate soon.

Clinical Guides

Physician assistants & nurse practitioners: Action Guide

Nurses & medical assistants: Action Guide

Print Resources

PDPH postcards and posters promoting pediatric and HPV vaccine.

Online Resources

New research reinforcing starting HPV vaccination at age 9.

If you have any questions, reach out to our team at vaccines@phila.gov.