Change in Wastage Guidance for COVID-19 Providers

Dear Providers,

Starting today, January 24th, all COVID-19 vaccine wastage must be reported in PhilaVax. Please reference the Wastage Reporting job aid under the Resources tab on vax.phila.gov for step-by-step guidance on this new process. The Monday.com form is now inactivated.

Our team is happy to help you navigate the updated wastage guidance. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to dphproviderhelp@phila.gov.

Thank you for your continued efforts to vaccinate Philadelphians!

CDC Expands Booster Shot Eligibility

The CDC has adjusted their recommendation for when people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months.

Earlier this week CDC made this recommendation for recipients of a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. Now this recommendation has been extended to recipients of a Moderna primary series. This means that people 12 and older who initially received an mRNA vaccine series – two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech – can now receive an mRNA booster shot 5 months after completing their initial series.

Recently the CDC also strengthened COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for children, now recommending that:

• Moderately to severely immunocompromised children ages 5–11 years receive an additional primary dose of Pfizer-BioNTech to ensure optimal protection from the vaccine.
• Children and teens ages 12–17 years should receive a booster shot.

For any questions, email vaccines@phila.gov.

CDC Recommends Pfizer Booster at 5 Months, Additional Primary Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Children

The CDC is updating their recommendation for when many people can receive a booster shot. Everyone 12+ is recommended to receive a booster shot. Children 12-17 years old are now recommended to receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. Adults 18+ can get a booster dose of any COVID vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer are preferred), but only a Pfizer booster is approved for children 12-17 years of age.

The booster interval recommendation for people who received the J&J vaccine (2 months) or the Moderna vaccine (6 months), has not changed.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

Additionally, consistent with the prior recommendation for adults, the CDC is recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11.

For additional questions, email vaccines@phila.gov.

Partner to Hold Vaccine Clinics!

Dear COVID-19 Vaccine Providers,

If you have not signed up already and are interested in partnering with community-based organizations to offer COVID-19 vaccination at local events, please sign up using the link below.

Thank you to all providers who are currently signed-up to be matched with Philadelphia-based organizations who are seeking COVID-19 vaccine for their community members. If you have already completed the survey, there is no need to fill it out again.

Fill Out Our Vaccine Provider Capacity Survey!

In the event that PDPH has an organization seeking a vaccine provider, you will be contacted by PDPH to confirm your interest in partnering to hold the clinic before any contact information is shared.

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Pfizer Gray Cap Transition Plan

Pfizer vaccine 1170 (with the purple cap) is being retired and a new formulation of Pfizer vaccine for adults/adolescents will be available soon. Anyone who placed a full order for Pfizer in Philavax this week will be receiving the new gray cap Pfizer next week. Partials order placed via the Monday.com form this week and next week will be Pfizer purple cap.

The new gray cap formulation does not require reconstitution with diluent and will not come with it. Do not reconstitute the gray cap Pfizer product.

View the Emergency Use Authorization.

Pfizer Tris Sucrose Adult Formulation

• The vial packaging has a gray cap.
• The vaccine does not contain preservative and is provided as a multiple dose vial.
• Each vial must be thawed prior to administration.
• DO NOT DILUTE prior to use.
• DO NOT STORE in a standard freezer.
• One vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL.
• This formulation may be stored at 2-8C (36-46 F) for up to 10-weeks, and can be used on individuals 12 years of age and older.

Attend a Healthcare Provider Training

Dose Preparation and Use

• Gray cap vaccine may be stored at room temperature (8C to 25C/46F to 77F) for a total of 12 hours prior to the first puncture.
• After first puncture, the vial should be held between 2C and 25C/35F to 77F.
• Vials should be discarded 12 hours after first puncture.
• During storage, minimize exposure to room light, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet light.
• Do not freeze thawed vials.

Storage and Expiration

The date of manufacture is printed on the vial, not the expiration date. Undiluted vials can be stored up to 9 months in an Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer -90°C to -60°C (-130°F to -76°F). Vaccines should not be used after 9 months from the date of manufacture printed on the vial and cartons.

If you have any questions, contact vaccines@phila.gov.

COVID-19 Booster Recommendations

COVID-19 boosters help protect our communities against the virus. The CDC recently announced its recommendation that everyone ages 16 and older should get a booster when possible.

Read below for a reminder of booster recommendations for your patients.

Those who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna should:
Get a booster at least 6 months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. 16 and 17-year-olds are only approved for Pfizer boosters. For everyone 18+, a “mix and match” approach to booster shots has been approved, so either Pfizer or Moderna boosters are recommended.

Those who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen should:
Get a booster at least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination. Pfizer or Moderna boosters are recommended.

For those who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside the United States:
• People who were vaccinated outside the United States with a single dose or 2-dose primary series of a currently FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully vaccinated and should receive a booster.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and were vaccinated with a 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series should receive an additional primary dose before receiving a booster.
• If they received the first dose of a 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series, they do not need to restart the vaccine series in the United States. They should receive the second dose as close to the recommended time as possible and are considered fully vaccinated upon completion of the 2-dose primary series.
• If they received a COVID-19 vaccine not approved or authorized by the FDA, they should be offered primary vaccination with an FDA-approved or authorized vaccine before receiving a booster.

View more information about COVID vaccinations outside the country.

If you have any additional questions, view the full CDC booster guidelines or email vaccines@phila.gov.