Weekly Wrap Up Thank You California Providers!The first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in California on December 14, 2020. As of October 25, 2024, COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in California reached 100 Million!
Return to Table of Contents Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): October 2024 Updates on COVID-19, Pneumococcal, and Other VaccinesACIP and CDC now recommend a second dose of 2024 – 2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months* after their first dose to people: - Ages 65 years and older
- Ages 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised
- Additional doses* (i.e., 3 or more) of 2024 – 2025 COVID-19 vaccine may be given to immunocompromised people 6 months and older under shared clinical decision making.
*Minimum interval 2 months
ACIP and CDC also recommend lowering the age for routine pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years old.
Information was also provided on RSV, Influenza, Meningococcal B, Human Papillomavirus, Cytomegalovirus, Chikungunya, and Mpox vaccines. For detailed information and resources, refer to the CDPH Immunization Updates for Providers webinar, Friday, November 1, slides 34 – 59 (slides | recording)
Also refer to the following:
Return to Table of Contents Older Adults Less Likely to Receive Outpatient COVID-19 Antiviral Medications CDC recently published a cross-sectional study using electronic health record data from over 28 million adults > 20 years at 28 health centers across the U.S. The findings of this MMWR show that the prevalence of outpatient COVID-19 antiviral therapy was lower in the older age groups who were most at risk for hospitalization and death. Improving use of antiviral therapies in these older age groups can improve morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
For more information please see COVID-19 Treatment Clinical Care for Outpatients | COVID-19 | CDC for more information. Check drug interactions quickly and easily with: Liverpool COVID-19 Interactions.
Breaking News for JYNNEOS VaccineNovavax Vaccines: Important RemindersNovavax vaccine doses currently being shipped have an expiry of November 30, 2024. However, there are earlier shipped doses that expired on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Doses will expire on that date. Providers should continue to use this vaccine right up until expiry date.
Expired doses should be reported as expired waste in myCAvax and returned to McKesson, per usual. Novavax will be requesting a shelf-life extension for doses that have an expiry on November 30, 2024, and beyond during the respiratory virus season. CDPH will notify providers if/when shelf-life extensions are granted.
To minimize vaccine wastage, we encourage placing smaller, more frequent orders and limiting quantities to the amount of vaccine that can be utilized within a two-week period. An Expiration Look-Up Tool is available for providers to check for most up-to-date information about expiry administration.
Return to Table of Contents Medi-Cal Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccine ReimbursementCOVID vaccines will remain a pharmacy benefit for all Medi-Cal members. Effective through Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (under the *PREP Act), non-VFC pharmacies will be reimbursed for COVID claims for members 3 years+. Members under 3 years should be redirected to VFC providers (including pharmacies) for vaccination. Effective Wednesday, January 1, 2025, non-VFC pharmacies will be reimbursed for COVID claims for members 19 years+. Effective August 30, 2024, VFC pharmacies will be reimbursed for COVID claims for members 0 through 18 years.
The enhanced $40 reimbursement associated with the COVID-19 vaccine administration fee transitioned to the standard vaccine administration fee effective October 1, 2024 (the end of the **ARP Act) for all providers.
* PREP Act: Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act
** ARP Act: American Rescue Plan Act
For any questions, please mail: MediCalRxEducationOutreach@primetherapeutics.com
Return to Table of Contents Upcoming Vaccine Shipment Holds for November Providers must update hours in myCAvax for any holiday or temporary closures to prevent shipment incidents during closures. Watch for emails regarding order confirmations, advance shipment notices of vaccine, and temperature monitoring alerts. Communications Tools for Keeping Patients Healthy this Respiratory Virus Season With the holidays around the corner CDPH would like to spotlight three communications toolkits providers can use to help encourage Californians to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses this fall and winter.
Return to Table of Contents Virtual Grand Rounds - From Avian Flu to COVID-19 - How the "One Health" Approach Improves Human, Animal and Environmental Health - Register for Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (PT)
CDPH Immunization Branch Updates for Providers Webinar (occurs every other Friday) - Register for the next session: Friday November 15, 2024, 9:00 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Return to Table of Contents Provider Call Center For program information: Email providercallcenter@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, PT). myCAvax Help Desk For technical issues (e.g., password resets): Email myCAvax.HD@cdph.ca.gov or call (833) 502-1245, (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, PT). System-related training materials are available via the Knowledge Center in myCAvax. 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 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, PT). Job aids, Demos, and Training Opportunities VFC Customer Service Center For program information: Email MyVFCvaccines@cdph.ca.gov or call (877) 243-8832 (Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, PT; Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, PT).
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