COVID-19 Vaccine Update: All Adults 65+ Recommended to Get Additional COVID-19 Vaccine

CDC recommends that persons ≥ 65 years of age should receive an additional dose of 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, at least 4 months after previous updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccine dose. For more information, see CDC’s press release, and the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States, as well as the CDPH Updated Timing Guide (Spanish version).

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Meeting Updates

For updates from the ACIP meeting on February 28-29, 2024 refer to:

Limited Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Supplies: CDC Guidance

MassBiologics has discontinued production of TdVax™, which is exclusively distributed by Grifols. Supply of TdVax™ is anticipated to last through June. It is anticipated that the supply of Td vaccine in the U.S. market will be constrained through 2024.

While Td vaccine supplies are constrained, providers should transition to use of Tdap vaccine in lieu of Td vaccine whenever possible, including when a tetanus booster is indicated for wound management. 

The limited supply of Td vaccine needs to be preserved for those with a specific contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines. 

For more information, refer to CDC Vaccines and Preventable Diseases (VPD): Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccine Recommendations

Reminder: Paxlovid EUA Update

Today, March 8, 2024, is the last day EUA-labeled Paxlovid can be dispensed. As indicated in the January 29, 2024, Paxlovid Revised Letter of Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), EUA-labeled Paxlovid is no longer authorized for emergency use after March 8, 2024, regardless of the labeled or extended expiration date. Paxlovid EUA will continue to authorize emergency use of NDA-labeled Paxlovid for eligible pediatric patients. 

All remaining EUA-labeled Paxlovid must be accounted for in the Health Partner Ordering Portal (HPOP) as dispensed, destroyed or wasted.

Dispose EUA-labeled Paxlovid in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations. For sites that do not have other means of disposal, Pfizer will accept returns of the EUA-labeled product using the current returns process (PaxlovidEUAreturns.com, email, PaxlovidEUAreturns@inmar.com, or call 877-740-6148) through March 15.

Federal entity partners that continue to order from the remaining USG supply will receive NDA-labeled Paxlovid.

Looking Ahead: Revised Time Frame for 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

Refer to the graphic below for an overview of the CDC revised time frame for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine availability, and for details refer to the CDC COVID-19 vaccine policy and next steps presentation from the ACIP meeting.

COVID-19 Testing Updates

As of February 29, 2024, the CDPH At-Home Testing Program has come to an end and COVID-19 at-home tests are no longer available to request from CDPH. Professional tests are available to facilities with their own CLIA-waiver and state facility license through June 30, 2024.  Eligible facilities would be Skilled Nursing Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities and Community Clinics. Professional CLIA-waived tests can be ordered using this CDPH order form. 

Individuals can order free COVID-19 tests mailed to their home through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but the LAST day to order is March 8, 2024.

Home Test to Treat offers free tests and free treatment (if eligible) for COVID-19.

For questions, email OTCTesting@cdph.ca.gov 

Upcoming Webinars and Trainings

California Immunization Coalition (CIC) Education Hour: Back to the Vax

• Registration link for Monday, March 11, 12 – 1pm (PT)

Equity-Center Community Engagement by Public Health Departments: Lessons from the Field

• Registration link for Tuesday, March 12, 2 – 3:15pm (PT)

VFA Webinar: 2024 ACIP Updates and Best Practices for Adult Immunizations

• Registration link for Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 12 – 1pm (PT)

Afternoon TEAch: Best Practices for Promoting Adolescent Vaccination

• Registration link for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 12-1pm (PT)

To see all the webinars and trainings scheduled for next week, please refer to the CDPH Webinar and Trainings Calendar.

Useful Resources 

UPDATED! COVID-19 Provider FAQs

UPDATED! COVID-19 Vaccine Adolescent/Adult Fact Sheet

UPDATED! COVID-19 Vaccine Infant/Toddler Fact Sheet

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

CDPH RSV Webpage

CA Bridge Access Program Provider Operations Manual | Requirements at a Glance

Respiratory Viruses Communication Tools

Pediatric/Adult Influenza Vaccine Guide

CDPH Respiratory Virus Prevention Toolkit

Digital Vaccine Record

Mpox Toolkit

The My Turn and myCAvax Teams Appreciate Your Feedback! 

Please use the Vaccine Management Feedback Form to provide feedback and suggestions for the My Turn and myCAvax platforms.

Support Opportunities 

CDPH Immunization Branch Updates for Providers Webinar 

Please attend our bi-weekly (every other Friday) webinars to hear immunization updates from CDPH subject matter experts and have your questions answered. Next session: Friday, March 22, 2024, 9 – 10:30am (PT)

Archived Sessions | Provider FAQs 

Provider Call Center 

For Program information: email providercallcenter@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245 (Monday – Friday, 8am–5pm, PT)

myCAvax Help Desk 

For technical issues (e.g., password resets): email myCAvax.HD@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245, (Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, PT) 

System related training materials are available via the Knowledge Center in myCAvax and on EZIZ.org.

My Turn Help Desk 

Onboarding: email myturnonboarding@cdph.ca.gov technical support for My Turn Clinic: email MyTurn.Clinic.HD@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245, (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm). 

• Job aids, demos, and training opportunities 

Happy International Women’s Day from CDPH!

In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, we would like to highlight this Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report on the critical relationship between immunization and gender equity for women and girls.