Weekly Wrap Up COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
California Pediatric Cases and Hospitalizations Averted by COVID-19 Vaccination:
A recent study found that California’s pediatric COVID-19 immunization program averted 376,085 reported cases and 273 hospitalizations among children aged 6 months to 15 years over approximately 4 to 7 months following vaccination availability. For more details refer to this Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) article. Revised Time Frame for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Availability:
The FDA Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet on Thursday, May 16, 2024, and make recommendation on the selection of strain(s) to be included in the 2024 – 2025 Formula for COVID-19 vaccines. It is anticipated that the ACIP will review and vote on recommendations for 2024 – 2025 season in June of 2024. And in the late Summer – Fall, the 2024 – 2025 vaccine is anticipated to be available for use. For more information refer to the CDC ACIP Meeting 2/28/24: COVID-19 Vaccine Policy and Next Steps, and the ACIP Meetings Information | CDC. CDPH recommends to continue vaccinating against COVID-19 year-round. Interchangeability of COVID-19 Vaccines for Infants/Toddlers:
For information on interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccine for infants and toddlers, refer to the Interchangeability of COVID-19 Vaccines, Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC, and Appendix B: Vaccine administration errors and deviations, COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Update: As COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers prepare for production of the 2024-2025 vaccines, preferred brands of vaccine may not be available. Providers may need to order Moderna vaccines either for the first time or have a long gap in storing, handling, or managing Moderna. Here are some reminders about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:
Moderna vaccines are shipped frozen between -50°C and -15°C (-58°F and 5°F). Once received, the vaccine can be stored in a regular freezer at -50°C and -15°C (-58°F and 5°F) until expiration - the expiration date OR in the refrigerator at 2–8ºC (36-46ºF) for up to 30 days (not to exceed the expiration date).
Moderna vaccines come in single dose vials for all age groups. Please be aware that the vials for 6m-11yo are overfilled. Please do not withdraw the entire contents of vial when preparing doses. The correct dose for this age group is 0.25mL for 6m-11yo. Once the single dose has been withdrawn from the vial, any remaining vaccine needs to be discarded.
For more information on storage and handling of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, refer to the COVID-19 Vaccine Product Guide.
Return to Table of Contents New Process for JYNNEOS Orders from Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
Non-LHD providers will no longer be able to order JYNNEOS in myCAvax. Providers will be advised to contact their LHD if they are unable to access the commercial JYNNEOS product and need doses from SNS. Providers will need to justify their need for doses from SNS rather than purchasing through the commercial market, e.g.: need vaccine for events where uninsured patients will be vaccinated; provider unable to access commercial product. Reminder: all JYNNEOS vaccine that CDPH currently has in inventory has an expiration date of October 31, 2024. Expiration date of any future vaccine ordered from SNS is also likely to be short-dated (SNS Products: Vaccines and Treatment Available for Use in the Mpox Response (hhs.gov) LHDs and providers are encouraged to start purchasing the commercial JYNNEOS product for their insured patients. A list of JYNNEOS wholesalers and distributors can be found on the Bavarian Nordic website at Contact Us | USA | Bavarian Nordic (bnvaccines.com).
Return to Table of Contents May is Hepatitis Awareness and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month!
Join us in promoting vaccination and increasing awareness of hepatitis B among AAPI patients. Explore these resources for more information: Return to Table of Contents Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Transitioning to myCAvax
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program will be transitioning to myCAvax, a different vaccine ordering and provider management system, on June 10, 2024. With this transition, myVFCvaccines will no longer serve as your home for ordering VFC vaccine, submitting returns and transfers, and other VFC Program-related activities.
In preparation for the move to myCAvax, we ask that all VFC providers make sure Key Practice Staff changes which occurred after your practice completed the 2024 VFC Recertification are reported to VFC. Additionally, verify data logger information is updated in MyVFCvaccines. If any data logger has an expired Certificate of Calibration, update that as soon as possible to prevent any disruptions to vaccine ordering.
As you continue to administer VFC vaccines to your VFC-eligible patients, please keep in mind that the last day to submit a new VFC vaccine order in MyVFCvaccines is Friday, May 24, 2024. If your routine vaccine order is due on or shortly after this date, please consider submitting your order before this cutoff date to prevent any disruptions to your vaccination services.
We are here to support you throughout this transition. If you have questions regarding VFC program requirements or the transition to the myCAvax system, please contact the VFC Customer Service Center at (877) 243-8832.
Return to Table of Contents Upcoming Webinars
Healthy Places Index (HPI) Toolkit Webinar Series - Register for Thursday, May 9, 2024, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (PT)
CDPH Immunization Branch Updates for Providers Webinar (occurs every other Friday) - Register for the next session on Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am (PT)
June 2024 California Immunization Coalition Summit Return to Table of Contents Support Opportunities
Provider Call Center For Program information: email providercallcenter@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245 (Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, PT)
myCAvax Help Desk For technical issues (e.g., password resets): email myCAvax.HD@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245, (Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, PT) System related training materials are available via the Knowledge Center in myCAvax and at EZIZ.org.
My Turn Help Desk Return to Table of Contents |
