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Notices

Recap: RSV Immunization in Outpatient Settings 

Recap: RSV Immunization in Outpatient Settings

Thank you to those who attended the RSV townhall for nirsevimab (Beyfortus) immunization in outpatient settings on Tuesday, August 29! In case you missed it, please review important information below: 

Nirsevimab will be available to order through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program this fall. Here are some answers to relevant clinical questions: 

Do healthy infants need to be under 8 or 9 months at the time of injection?

Healthy infants need to be under 8 months of age at the time of injection.

What about infants who are at increased risk of severe RSV?
Children aged 8–19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease entering their second RSV season should be immunized.

Any recommendations for co-administration of nirsevimab with COVID-19, flu, and routine vaccines?
Co-administration with other vaccines is acceptable.

Is there a patient information brochure to give to parents?
CDC will have an information sheet similar to a VIS which has not yet been released.

Can nirsevimab (Beyfortus) be administered when a child is ill?
It is up to the doctor’s discretion, and dependant on how ill the infant is.

Does an infant that gets palivizumab (Synagis) needs nirsevimab (Beyfortus)?
An infant that qualifies for palivizumab (Synagis) may need to get a dose if nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is unavailable. Once they receive their nirsevimab, they no longer need to get palivizumab.

View the MMWR and package insert here. Email victor.obeck@phila.gov for more information on ordering nirsevimab through the VFC Program. 

Integrating RSV Immunization into EHR Systems

Integrating RSV Immunization into EHR Systems

RSV immunization will be available to order through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program this fall. This newly approved monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus), will be used to protect newborns and infants born during or entering their first RSV season.

As your facility will likely administer this immunization, we are providing instructions for adding nirsevimab to your EHR system.

Please add nirsevimab to your EHR system. There are two versions of nirsevimab to account for two different doses. See the specifications below. The differences between the two are highlighted in green: 

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) must be reported to PhilaVax in the same way as any other immunization. To accurately report eligibility and funding sources, HL7 messages for nirsevimab administration should adhere to the standard rules for VFC eligibility or ineligibility. 

If you are interested, you may work with PhilaVax staff individually to test nirsevimab HL7 messages and ensure complete reporting. To express interest in assistance with this process or for any questions, contact the immunization information system (IIS) interoperability coordinator at beweh.willor@phila.gov. 

Please forward this email to any additional contacts who need this information. If you are not the correct person to receive this email, reach out to beweh.willor@phila.gov with the correct contact information.

Recap: RSV Immunization in Inpatient Settings

Recap: RSV Immunization in Inpatient Settings

Thank you to those who attended the RSV townhall for nirsevimab (Beyfortus) immunization in inpatient settings on Friday, August 24! In case you missed it, please review important information below:

Nirsevimab will be available to order through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program this fall. Email victor.obeck@phila.gov to begin enrolling in the VFC Program today. 

RSV Townhall to Discuss Nirsevimab

RSV Townhall to Discuss Nirsevimab

Come learn about the newly approved monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus), to prevent RSV in neonates and young infants at a townhall hosted by the Philadelphia Immunization Program. 

The townhall will take place over Zoom on Tuesday August 29 at 12pm.

Nirsevimab will be available to order through the VFC Program this fall. Prepare your practice for ordering and administration of the product at next week’s townhall. 

Register today!

View past email advisories and keep up with important events on our website. We look forward to seeing you soon!

VFC & VFAAR Flu Ordering Will Open 8/28/23

VFC & VFAAR Flu Ordering Will Open 8/28/23

VFC & VFAAR providers can order flu for the 2023-24 season starting Monday, 8/28/23. Make sure your site is ready!

  • Account for any unused 2022-23 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 2023-24 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.

Bridge Access Program Pre-Enrollment is Live

Bridge Access Program Pre-Enrollment is Live

Please complete the pre-enrollment survey below. This survey will provide our team with key information to determine if your site is eligible for enrollment.  

The survey does not generate a confirmation email automatically. Our team will review your responses and reach out to you within 48 hours to provide next steps and/or to request additional information as needed.

As a reminder, the Bridge Access Program allows providers who see underinsured and uninsured adults 19+ to continue receiving government funded COVID-19 vaccine following commercialization. 

If you have additional questions about enrollment you may email the COVID-19 Coordinator, nyandra.mcfadden@phila.gov.  

Pre-enrollment Survey

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As a reminder, the last day to order COVID-19 vaccine was Thursday 8/3. Providers who continue to have COVID-19 vaccine inventory should continue to adhere to the requirements outlined in the Provider Agreement. Read on for specific guidance regarding delivery and reporting.

Delivery

After 8/15, PDPH will no longer be delivering COVID-19 vaccine to providers. 

If you have any questions or your site is at risk of running out of COVID-19 vaccine, please contact the COVID-19 Logistics and Distribution Manager at nyandra.mcfadden@phila.gov.

Reporting

COVID-19 providers who continue to have PDPH-supplied COVID-19 vaccine are required to continue reporting all data and appropriately monitoring and storing vaccine. This includes:

  • Reporting inventory in Vaccine Finder
  • Monitoring and storing COVID-19 vaccine in approved storage units
  • Documenting temperature readings on paper logs
  • Reporting temperature readings every 28 days
  • Completing wastage reports in PhilaVax 

All data should be reported to the immunization information system (IIS), PhilaVax, no less than 72 hours after administration. If you observe a temperature excursion, contact TempCheck@phila.gov immediately.

Bridge Access Program

COVID-19 vaccine providers interested in enrolling in the Bridge Access Program to continue offering COVID-19 vaccine to uninsured or underinsured adults after commercialization should continue monitoring their email for more information on the program.

Save the Date: PIC 2023 Fall Conference

Save the Date!

Join us for the Philadelphia Immunization Coalition’s Fall 2023 Conference on Wednesday, October 4 from 9:00am – 3:30pm at College of Physicians (19 South 22nd Street).

Our speakers will include Dr. Andrew Kroger (CDC) and Dr. Paul Offit (CHOP), among others to be announced.

Topics covered will include COVID, RSV, maternal RSV, universal recommendations for hepatitis B, PDPH updates, and more.

Tickets will be $40 and include breakfast, all day coffee, and a wonderful hot lunch. Continuing education credits will also be provided.

Registration will be opening soon, and a link will be shared in an upcoming email. Reach out to sophia.kiang@phila.gov with any questions.

Hope to see you all there!

COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization Town Hall

COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization Town Hall

COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available for purchase on the commercial market and will be available to order through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. We will host 2 town halls tomorrow, August 10, to help with this transition.

Commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines will transition vaccines previously purchased by the U.S. government to established pathways of procurement, distribution, and payment by both public and private payers. The Bridge Access Program will support providers to vaccinate uninsured and underinsured adults 19 years of age and older in Philadelphia county.

Commercialization of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to take place in August or September 2023, with the exact timeline still forthcoming. Read the revised FAQ and learn more about COVID-19 vaccine commercialization.  

Tomorrow, August 10, we will host 2 town halls to discuss COVID-19 vaccine commercialization and the Bridge Access Program. Register for the town hall that best fits your schedule below. 

Register for the 12pm town hall

Register for the 7pm town hall