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Notices

Check Your COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Dates

Check Your COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Dates

Several lots of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J COVID-19 vaccine product have their expiration dates in June and July. Please be mindful of when your COVID-19 vaccine expires!

Remember, always check the product’s expiration dates prior to administering. For Pfizer and Moderna, immediately remove and properly dispose of expired doses as medical waste in order to avoid administration of expired doses. Expired Janssen/J&J doses can be quarantined at this time pending stability studies (DO NOT USE these expired loses in the interim).

Waste is required to be reported to The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) via the following form: COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage Adjustments

Pfizer

Expiration Dates are on the vials and can also be found in PhilaVax with the shipment information.

Please note: Pfizer has been approved for storage at standard refrigerator temperatures for 1 month (i.e., 31 days). Prior to being placed in the refrigerator, Pfizer can also be kept at standard freezer temperatures for 2 weeks.

Moderna

Vial Expiration Date Lookup | Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (EUA)

Please note: Vials can be used for up to 12 hours after being punctured.

J&J

Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Product Quality Checker

Please note: The FDA has authorized an extension of the Jassen/J&J vaccine’s shelf life from 3 months to 4.5 months.

Quick Reference Guide

Please refer to the COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals to see a storage/handling, administration, and general comparison of the three COVID-19 vaccines. This guide is extremely useful and can be printed for posting at provider locations.

MenQuadfi (MenACYW-TT), a New Meningococcal Vaccine, is Now Available for VFC

MenQuadfi (MenACYW-TT), a New Meningococcal Vaccine, is Now Available for VFC

To download a PDF version of this PDF, click here!

In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration licensed an additional meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY) – MenQuadfi
(MenACYW-TT), from Sanofi Pasteur Inc.

MenQuadfi is now available for providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This advisory includes an overview
of important information about MenQuadfi.

MenQuadfi is licensed for use in individuals 2 years and older in the United States.

Recommendations For Use

Eligible Groups for Receipt of VFC Supplies of MenQuadfi

VFC supplies of MenQuadfi may be given to VFC-eligible children aged 2 years through 18 years.

Licensed Dosing Schedule

MenQuadfi is for intramuscular use only.

MenQuadfi is approved for routine vaccination of children and teens, age 11 through 18 years: a single dose at age 11 or 12 years with a booster dose at age 16 years.

MenQuadfi may also be used for children at increased risk who are age 2 years and older (the primary dosing schedule and booster dose interval varies by age and indication):

  • People with functional or anatomic asplenia
  • People who have persistent complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder) or who take a complement inhibitor (eculizumab [Soliris] or ravulizumab [Ultomiris])
  • People who have HIV infection
  • People who are at risk during an outbreak caused by a vaccine serogroup
  • People age 2 months and older who reside in or travel to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well as to other countries for which meningococcal vaccine is recommended (e.g., travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj)
  • Microbiologists who work with meningococcus bacterial isolates in a laboratory
  • First-year college students living in residence halls who are unvaccinated or undervaccinated; these students should receive a dose if they have not had a dose since turning 16 or if it has been more than 5 years since their previous dose

These recommendations are summarized in Table 3 of the recommendations published by ACIP in MMWR in 2020: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/rr/pdfs/rr6909a1-H.pdf.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that whenever feasible, the same manufacturer’s brand should be used to complete the series. However, if the previous brand is unavailable or unknown, any brand may be used to complete the series. Do not defer immunization solely to wait for a specific meningococcal vaccine brand to be available. From age 2 years and up the MenACWY vaccines are interchangeable.

Storage

  • MenQuadfi should be stored at 2º to 8ºC (36º to 46ºF). Do not freeze. Product which has been exposed to freezing should not be used. Do not use after the expiration date shown on the label.

How MenQuadfi is supplied

  • MenQuadfi is supplied in a single-dose vial in packages of 5 vials (NDC No. 49281-0590-05). The dosage for MenQuadfi is 0.5 mL. MenQuadfi does not contain a preservative. The vial stopper for this product is not made with natural latex rubber.

Ordering and Billing

MenQuadfi is available for ordering through the PhilaVax IIS as of today, June 8, 2021. Please contact Christine Wilson (Christine.Wilson@phila.gov) or Charma Miller (Charma.Miller@phila.gov) to add MenQuadfi to your next order. Please note, your practice must choose a single product to order for each antigen. We recommend that sites that are part of a system, or are affiliated, use the same vaccine presentations across sites to ensure continuity of care and help prevent administration errors.

  • CVX code: 203
  • CPT code: 90619

Resources

Vaxelis (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB), a Hexavalent Vaccine, is Now Available for VFC

Vaxelis (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB), a Hexavalent Vaccine, is Now Available for VFC

To download a PDF version of this notice, click here!

Vaxelis is now available for providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This advisory includes an overview of important information about Vaxelis.

Vaxelis is a hexavalent combined diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) adsorbed, inactivated poliovirus (IPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, PRP-OMP), and hepatitis B (HepB) (recombinant) vaccine. In 2018, FDA licensed Vaxelis for use in children age 6 weeks through 4 years: it is indicated as a 3-dose series for infants at ages 2, 4, and 6 months. ACIP voted to add Vaxelis to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program in 2019. Vaxelis became commercially available in the United States in 2021.

Recommendations For Use

Eligible Groups for Receipt of VFC Supplies of Vaxelis

VFC supplies of Vaxelis may be given to VFC-eligible children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to the 5th birthday).

Licensed Dosing Schedule

Vaxelis is indicated for active immunization to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, and invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. Vaxelis is approved for use as a 3-dose series in children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to the 5th birthday). Vaxelis is indicated for use in infants at ages 2, 4, and 6 months.

Recommended minimum ages for administration of Vaxelis (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB) vaccine and intervals between doses — United States, 2020*

Age/Interval
Minimum age for any dose 6 weeks
Minimum interval between doses 1 and 2 4 weeks
Minimum age for dose 2 10 weeks
Minimum interval between doses 2 and 3 4 weeks
Minimum age for dose 3 24 weeks†
Maximum age for any dose 4 years, 364 days (do not administer on or after the fifth birthday)

† If the third dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB is given before age 24 weeks, an additional dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be given at
age ≥24 weeks to complete the hepatitis B series.

*DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB can be used for children aged <5 years requiring a catch-up schedule. However, vaccine doses should not be
administered at intervals less than the minimum intervals indicated in this table.

For guidance on transitioning to Vaxelis and how it fits into the immunization schedule, visit: https://www.vaxelistransition.com.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that whenever feasible, the same manufacturer’s brand should be used to complete the series. However, if the previous brand is unavailable or unknown, any brand may be used to complete the series. Do not defer immunization solely to wait for a specific brand to be available.

Storage

Vaxelis should be stored at 2º to 8ºC (36º to 46ºF). Do not freeze. Product which has been exposed to freezing should not be used. Do not use after the expiration date shown on the label.

How Vaxelis is supplied

Vaxelis is supplied in a single-dose vial in packages of 10 vials (NDC no. 49281-0590-05). The dosage for Vaxelis is 0.5 mL. Vaxelis does not contain a preservative. The vial stopper, syringe plunger stopper, and syringe tip cap are not made with natural rubber latex.

Administration

Just before use, shake the vial or syringe until a uniform, white, cloudy suspension results.

Inspect the vial or syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. If either of these conditions exist, the product should not be administered.

Administer a single 0.5 mL dose of Vaxelis intramuscularly. In infants younger than 1 year, the anterolateral aspect of the thigh is the preferred site of injection. The vaccine should not be injected into the gluteal area.

Vaxelis should not be combined through reconstitution or mixed with any other vaccine. Discard unused portion. Vaxelis is for intramuscular use only.

Precautions and Contraindications

Do not administer Vaxelis to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Vaxelis, any ingredient of Vaxelis, or any other diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis containing vaccine, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, or Hib vaccine.

Do not administer Vaxelis to anyone with a history of encephalopathy within 7 days of a pertussis containing vaccine with no other identifiable cause.

Do not administer Vaxelis to anyone with a history of progressive neurologic disorder until a treatment regimen has been established and the condition has stabilized.

Ordering and Billing

Vaxelis is available for ordering through the PhilaVax IIS as of today, June 8, 2021. Please contact Jillian Brown (Jillian.Brown@phila.gov) to begin the process of transitioning to Vaxelis at your site. Please note, your practice must choose a single type of combination vaccine to use as part of the primary series. We recommend that sites that are part of a system or are affiliated use the same vaccine presentations across sites to ensure continuity of care and help prevent administration errors.

  • CVX code: 146
  • CPT code: 90697

Resources

Vaccine Information Statements (VIS):

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6905a5-H.pdf.

For guidance on transitioning to Vaxelis and how it fits into the immunization schedule, visit: https://www.vaxelistransition.com.

Product insert for Vaxelis includes additional vaccine information, found at: https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/vaxelis/vaxelis_pi.pdf.

Additional information on vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Vaccinate Patients Upon Discharging

Vaccinate Patients Upon Discharging

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is asking hospitals and urgent care facilities to administer COVID-19 Vaccine to patients upon discharging in emergency departments. Hospitals, ED, and UC facilities in the United States play an influential role in building confidence in and improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake, as healthcare providers are the most trusted source of health information.

Emergency departments serve as the primary, and at times only, health care access point for up to 20% of the US population, and urgent care clinics handle more than 29% of primary care visits in the country. We encourage hospitals to expand COVID-19 vaccination efforts to all hospital departments, including postpartum discharges and patients being discharged to long-term care of rehabilitation facilities. Expanding COVID-19 vaccine availability via these locations also makes vaccine more accessible to patients.

We hope this helps push Philly towards reaching the national goal of 70% vaccination coverage by July 4th.

Click to learn more about CDC guidance regarding Vaccine Eligibility and Best Practices to determine if a patient should receive vaccine upon discharge.

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy from COVID-19. If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

CDC Best Practices for Vaccinating Upon Discharge

CDC Best Practices for Vaccinating Upon Discharge

Please see CDC guidance regarding vaccine Eligibility and Best Practices below, to determine if a patient should receive COVID-19 Vaccine vaccine upon discharge:

Vaccine Eligbility:

• Patients who are not moderately or severely ill and are being discharged from hospital admission, 24-hour observation, or an ED or UC visit may be vaccinated. Patients with current COVID-19 infection should defer vaccination until they have met criteria to discontinue isolation.
• If the patient is a minor, providers are to follow all state laws regarding consent of minors for vaccination

Best Practices for Vaccinating Upon Discharge:

• Assess vaccination status at triage, in the patient’s medical history, and during medication reconciliation by asking patient, checking electronic medical/health records, and linking with the jurisdiction’s immunization information system (IIS)
• Address vaccine hesitancy with all patients and those that accompany them as part of routine practice
• Strongly encourage and offer vaccination to all eligible patients and any friends or family who are accompanying them
• Consider using a pharmacist assigned to the facility to help with medication management to support confirming vaccination status before vaccination
• Utilize personnel not involved in the direct care of the patient, if available, to administer vaccines if the department is very busy and it would help work flow
• Offer vaccination services either at bedside or in special vaccination areas during discharge process
• Encourage patients to enroll in v-safe
• Document receipt and/or refusal in chart and IIS
• Complete and provide a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to the patient and print out a list of the vaccination(s) given, particularly for patients being transferred/discharged to rehab, long-term care, or psychiatric facilities
• Arrange for second dose appointment, if applicable
• Place patients in the waiting area for the 15-minute observation period after vaccination is complete to assist in improved flow and reduction of crowding

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy from COVID-19. If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Memorial Day Holiday Vaccine Ordering

Memorial Day Holiday Vaccine Ordering

Please make note of the following changes in COVID-19 vaccine shipping around the Memorial Day Holiday (5/31):

  • During the week leading up to Memorial Day Weekend (May 24 – 28), all vaccine deliveries will continue as usual.
  • There will be no deliveries for any vaccines on Sunday, May 30th and Monday, May 31st.
  • Pfizer vaccine delivery will resume on Tuesday, June 1.
  • Moderna and Janssen vaccine delivery will resume on Wednesday, June 2.

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy.

If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

 

FDA Pfizer Vaccine Storage Update

FDA Pfizer Vaccine Storage Update

On May 19th, the FDA announced the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine can now be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures for up to a month (30 days). This is much longer than was previously allowed under the FDA’s emergency authorization and will make storage and distribution of the vaccine easier.

The FDA is now authorizing undiluted, thawed Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine vials to be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F) for up to 1 month (30 days). Previously, thawed, undiluted vaccine vials could be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

The FDA says the change should make the vaccine more widely available by making it easier for doctors’ offices to receive, store and administer the vaccine. “Making COVID-19 vaccines widely available is key to getting people vaccinated and bringing the pandemic to an end,” says Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics and Research. PDPH hopes that this change will help providers vaccinate more patients in Philadelphia.

Click here to Download the New Pfizer EUA (5/19/2021)

To review the most recent EUA fact sheets for the Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines, please click the links below:

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy.

If you have any vaccine storage and handling questions, please email tempcheck@phila.gov.

If you have any other questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Adolescents 12+ May Consent to Receive Pfizer Vaccine

Adolescents 12+ May Consent to Receive Pfizer Vaccine

On 5/14, the Philadelphia Board of Health updated the Emergency Order Concerning COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statements to allow individuals 11 years of age and older to consent to his or her own immunization with a COVID-19 vaccine under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), without the approval or consent of a parent or guardian. In this case, an EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers would substitute for a Vaccine Information Statement.

Currently, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is only authorized for 12 years of age and older. The language 11 years and older in the Philadelphia Board of Health order aligns with the original regulations that give individuals 11 years and older the ability to consent for approved vaccines with a Vaccine Information Statement. However, at this time, you should ONLY vaccinate individuals 12 years of age and older with the Pfizer product.

The unaccompanied minor presenting for vaccination can be vaccinated, subject to a vaccine provider’s determination that the minor is able to, and does provide, informed consent.

Click here to download PDPH’s Emergency Order Concerning COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statements

To view the original regulations, please go to Section 4, part b of the Regulations Governing the Immunization and Treatment of Newborns, Children and Adolescents document found here.

AAP Statement on Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination and Co-Administration

Following the ACIP meeting on May 12, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a Policy Statement recommending vaccination for eligible children ages 12 and up with the federally authorized COVID-19 vaccine. The statement supports co-administration of COVID-19 vaccine with routine immunizations in order to catch children up on any missed vaccines caused by the pandemic:

For additional guidance regarding vaccinating adolescents and concurrent administration of other vaccines, please download:

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy.

If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

Properly Discard Expired COVID-19 Vaccine

Properly Discard Expired COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine Providers, please make sure you are properly discarding wasted and expired COVID-19 Vaccine as they expire, as you would any other biologic waste. Please do NOT mail them back in their packaging.

For more information about vaccine wastage, please refer to the COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage Guidance advisory we sent out last week, which can also be viewed on our website.

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy.

If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage Guidance

PDPH is asking providers to ensure vaccination for all eligible patients, even if it means leaving some doses unused or wasted. Here is some information to help you increase vaccination and manage wastage:

1. Prioritize vaccinating eligible persons. Providers should vaccinate any eligible persons who wish to receive vaccine at their clinic location, even if it means puncturing a multi-dose vial and potentially wasting doses.

2. Do not miss an opportunity to vaccinate. PDPH understands that some, or all remaining doses in the vial, may need to be wasted to vaccinate a person. Not missing an opportunity to vaccinate is the more important goal.

3. Follow best practices while managing vaccine inventory. While we want to continue to follow the best practices of using every dose possible, we do not want it to be at the expense of missing an opportunity to vaccinate every eligible person when they are ready to get vaccinated.

4. No penalties for wasting COVID-19 vaccine. We are expecting an increase in COVID-19 vaccine wastage as vaccination efforts progress and opportunities are not missed.

5. Download and use the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Date Tracker. This tool helps your site keep track of vaccine wastage.

6. Download and use the Vaccine Wastage Guide. This tool details the vaccine wastage protocols for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines.

7. Use the wastage reporting table. This table (below) provides guidance to determine if a dose should be reported as waste. Wastage does not negatively impact a provider, but is simply a means for accounting for inventory.

8. Implement CDC and Idaho tips for not missing opportunities and reducing wastage. See detailed tips below. We can all learn by sharing best practices.

9. Call PDPH if you need help! PDPH is happy to help manage inventory and discuss strategies to minimize vaccine wastage. Contact vaccines@phila.gov

10. Don’t wait, vaccinate!

Wastage Reporting Table:

Below are CDC recommendations ensuring there are no missed opportunities to vaccinate every eligible person:

  • Consider establishing and promoting standing vaccination days or half-days to increase likelihood of larger numbers of people presenting for vaccination on the same day.
  • Vaccinate family members or friends who accompany patients to medical visits even if they are not established patients at the vaccinating practice
  • Continue outreach to employers or other community partners that have a large membership or network to arrange vaccination events.
  • As contingency plan, vaccine providers should attempt to contact additional persons (i.e., from a waitlist or through personal contacts of persons being vaccinated) to use as many vaccine doses as possible.
  • Once punctured, multidose vials must be used within:
    • 12 hours (Moderna)
    • 6 hours (Pfizer)
    • 2 hours (J&J/Janssen)
  • The more Americans who get vaccinated the fewer COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, outbreaks, and deaths that will occur.

For additional guidance on how to reduce wastage, please refer to the bullet points below written by the Idaho Immunization Program:

  • If feasible, prepare a Standby List strategy appropriate to your setting and the function of your site. “Standby lists” identify, in advance, people who are wanting to receive vaccine at your site.
  • Review your patient lists for those who may not have been vaccinated, and/or ask those who present for care if they are willing to be on waitlists.
  • If available, utilize your local COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-registration System to locate additional residents in your area who are willing to be on waitlist. These pre-registration systems were established by localities to identify people who wanted to be vaccinated. People would enter their name and contact information to receive a vaccine at a future date.
  • Review daily the clinic/appointment schedule to determine if it matches available vaccine inventory.
  • As a clinic or appointment day progresses, monitor no-shows and extra doses to anticipate potential need/ability to reach additional people.
  • Determine time of day that is appropriate for your site to activate the Standby List strategy.
  • Use the Standby List to call people who may be able to arrive at the administration site before the end of your vaccination clinic.
  • If individuals with future appointments are rescheduled for the end of the day, republish those future appointments as available by the end of the day.
  • For vaccines administered to standby patients, sites should use relevant registration and reporting mechanisms as well as ensure that second dose appointments are scheduled for the appropriate timeframe at the same location

Thank you for keeping Philadelphia safe and healthy from COVID-19.
If you have any questions, please email vaccines@phila.gov.