Novavax Booster Authorization

This week, the FDA authorized and CDC recommended a single booster dose of the monovalent Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 18 years and older who have completed their primary vaccination and have not received any previous booster dose(s). For further information, please view yesterday's communication. 

Additional resources:

• Novavax Vaccine Fact Sheet, Providers Operations Manual
• Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
• Fact Sheet for Recipients/Caregivers
• Novavax Storage and Handling Labels
• Novavax COVID-19 Webpage 

myCAvax Updates

New Bivalent Booster Product Groupings 

Providers can identify adult and pediatric bivalent booster vaccines on the new Vaccine Order Request page using the Booster grouping and viewing indicated age ranges. 

Additional Bivalent Booster Allocations 

CDPH received additional Pfizer pediatric bivalent booster and Moderna bivalent booster allocations. LHJs/MCEs, please note, additional virtual inventory was uploaded today, Friday, October 21.

Reporting Nonviable Doses

Please remove spoiled, expired, or wasted vaccines from storage units immediately. Report all nonviable doses in myCAvax before disposal following practice protocols.

Maximum Doses per Vial

CDC defines the maximum doses that would be reported as waste per vial. If a vial meets the criteria for wastage, report any unused doses up to these maximum amounts:

• Janssen (J&J): 5 doses
• Moderna Monovalent (6 months - 5 years, Magenta Border, Dark Blue Cap): 10 doses
• Moderna Monovalent (6 years - 11 years, Purple Border, Dark Blue Cap): 5 doses
• Moderna Monovalent (12 years+, Red Cap): 10 doses
• Moderna Bivalent Booster (6 years+ Gray Border, Blue Cap): 5 doses (count all doses as adult)
• Novavax: 10 doses
• Pfizer Monovalent (6 months - 4 years, Maroon Cap), Monovalent (5 years - 11 years, Orange Cap), and Bivalent Booster (5 years - 11 years, Orange Cap): 10 doses
• Pfizer Monovalent (12+ Years, Gray Cap) and Bivalent Booster (12+ Years, Gray Cap): 6 doses

Refer to Reporting & Disposal of Nonviable Doses in the COVID-19 Provider Operations Manual (POM).

Introducing New Vaccines in Your Practice

When new vaccines are introduced into your practice’s supply, ensure staff are properly trained on what’s new and reinforce storage and handling guidelines.

• Review clinical & safety data (Clinical Talking Points for Providers of Pediatric Services, if appropriate)
• Complete required Vaccine Product Training for products your location will administer
• Review Timing Guide (in Spanish) for primary series and booster doses
• Organize storage units to reduce administration errors
• Add Vaccine to VaccineFinder Inventory (and report upon receipt)
• Review COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement for new products
• Update systems and infrastructure (e.g., EHR, scheduling systems, websites)

Refer to Introducing New Vaccines in Your Practice in the COVID-19 Provider Operations Manual (POM).

COVID-19 Vaccine Quality Assurance Training Series 

The CDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Quality Assurance (QA) team invites you to attend a series of quickinars to review current COVID-19 Vaccination Program guidelines and best practices for new and existing California COVID-19 Vaccination Program Providers.

The first quickinar on Monday, October 24 will cover digital data loggers (DDLs) and probes, with a live demonstration.

When: Bi-weekly on Mondays, starting October 24 through January 2

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM 
Register here!