Weekly Vaccine Digest 04/12/2024 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

County of Los Angeles, California sent this bulletin at 04/12/2024 01:58 PM PDT

 

­Weekly Vaccine Digest 04/12/2024

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Dear Colleagues and Partners!

Below are the LACDPH weekly vaccine administration and order updates, upcoming webinars, and newsworthy events. Attached you will find a pdf version of this document and links from this week’s LA DPH Provider Immunization Office Hours and recent LA County Health Alert Network (LAHAN) advisory notices. To view past CDPH recordings, slides and other important information on the VFC, VFA, BAP and LHD 317 programs please visit https://eziz.org/.

If this message was forwarded to you, and would like to be added to our listserv, please contact our COVID-19 Provider Vaccine Call Center at covidvaccinereq@ph.lacounty.gov

 

Table of Contents

·      Page 1-2: Measles Update, AB1797 Reminder

·      Page 3-4: COVID-19 Testing Update, COVID-19 Vaccine Shelf-Life Update, Action Required: Update Storage Units in myCAvax

·      Page 5-6: Influenza Update, End of RSV Season: Nirsevimab Turned Off from Ordering, JYNNEOS Updates

·      Page 7-8: Respiratory Disease Immunization Recommendations Update, Respiratory Disease Immunization Recommendations Update, Reminder: Reporting Shipment Incidents in myCAvax,

·      Page 9: UPCOMING WEBINARS, LACDPH & CDPH Provider Office Hours Link

Measles Update and Alerts

NEW: Measles: Job Aids for Healthcare Providers

 

CDC Health Advisory

Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks: Ensure Children in the United States and Those Traveling Internationally 6 Months and Older are Current on MMR Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases and to provide guidance on measles prevention for all international travelers aged ≥6 months and all children aged ≥12 months who do not plan to travel internationally. Further details can be found in the full HAN CDC HAN.

California Department of Public Health – Health Advisory

Immediate Respiratory Isolation Recommended for Persons with Suspected Measles

In order to identify cases of measles and prevent spread, California healthcare proiders should immediately isolate suspected cases and contact their local health department promptly. …CDPH HAN.

CDPH Measles Web Page

Includes links to current outbreak information, Disease Investigation, and Laboratory Guidance.

LACDPH Measles Resources

LA County healthcare providers should be on alert for additional measles cases.

Healthcare providers should 1) assure that their patients are up to date on measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV) or are otherwise immune, 2) immunize all international travelers aged 6 months or older for whom there is no documentation of immunity, and 3) immediately report suspect measles to Public Health. All healthcare personnel should have documentation of immunity to measles.

 

 

Share messages reminding Californians to make sure they and their children are up to date on the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine and other recommended routine vaccines, including flu and COVID-19, especially before travel.

Suggested Message: Protect Your Family from Measles this Spring Break

Measles cases have been confirmed in California and the U.S. in recent weeks. Cases have been linked to overseas travel, reflecting the global rise in measles cases. Share messages encouraging everyone to stay up to date with measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations (MMR), and other routine vaccines, especially if they plan to travel abroad for spring break. 

 

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AB1797 Reminder

As of 1/1/2023, all California healthcare providers who administer vaccines are required to enter/submit patient vaccination information to a CA Immunization Registry (CAIR2).

CAIR2 users submit to CAIR2 which includes all vaccinations given for all ages and TB test results that must be reported​.

Healthcare providers must enter/submit Race and Ethnicity for each patient receiving vaccinations to CAIR2. This is to support the assessment of health disparities in immunization coverage.

  • If a patient prefers not to share this information, you may select the “Prefer not to say” option in CAIR2.
  • From 1/1/2023 to 1/1/2026, the law also allows Schools and licensed Childcare facilities to look-up students’ COVID-19 vaccination status for attendance purposes. 

For more information and AB1797 FAQs please visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CAIR/Pages/AB1797-Registry-FAQs.aspx

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COVID-19 Testing Updates

CDPH At-Home Testing Program Update

  • CDPH is continuing to provide COVID-19 tests to support populations who are high risk for severe disease through June 30, 2024*.
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities, Elder Care Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities, Programs serving those >65 years, and Community Based Organizations that serve the elderly can request at-home tests until June 30, 2024, or when testing resources are exhausted. *
  • The FDA extended expiration date on many of these tests will vary, with some tests being shipped out expiring between November 2024 and March 2025.
  • Orders should reflect a 2 – 3 month need of tests.

Order OTC tests here: https://labsupport.powerappsportals.us/ordercovidotc/

Professional CLIA*-Waived Test Availability

  • Professional CLIA-waived tests:
    • Professional tests to facilities with their own CLIA-waiver and state facility license through June 30, 2024.
    • BinaxNOW CLIA-waived tests have extended expiration dates through July 2024.
    • We have depleted our inventory of COVID/Flu A&B multiplex tests. Should these tests become available again, we will notify this group of their availability.
    • CDPH does not have any RSV tests at this time

Order professional CLIA-waived tests here: https://labsupport.powerappsportals.us/ordercovidprofessionaluse/

 

Additional Ways for Individuals to Obtain COVID-19 Tests

  • Insured? You may be eligible for tests. Read more here: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/
  • Home Test to Treat offers free tests and free treatment (if eligible) for COVID-19 at home test2treat.org.
    • *As of December 8, 2023, eligible individuals that signed up for Home Test-to-Treat will be sent COVID / Flu tests to use, and home treatment options available will include COVID and Flu treatment (depending on the test result). This program is slated to end April 16, 2024.

At-home tests are likely not expired!

  • Most printed expiration dates are not correct and have been extended.
  • Check to see the correct expiration date on the FDA website
  • Replace tests that are older than the extended expiration dates.
  • If newer tests are not easily available, you may use an expired test as long as the internal control line remains valid.
  • CDPH cannot accept the return of expired at-home tests. Please access the Test Disposal/Site Clean-up Instructions for additional information on how to dispose of expired testing supplies.

 

For questions, please contact OTCTesting@cdph.ca.gov

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VFA Ordering

  • Ordering for VFA will open Monday, April 15.
  • Recertification completion is required to submit a VFA vaccine order.
  • HPV vaccine will not be available for ordering.
  • CDPH will be hosting a VFA Office Hours on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm (PT on Zoom. Register here

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COVID-19 Vaccine Shelf-Life Updates

As we approach COVID-19 vaccine expiration dates, please double-check the expiry of your vaccine to ensure you are not inadvertently administering expired vaccine. Manufacturers will continue to ship vaccine until they are within 30 days of expiry. To manage this reduction in shelf life for COVID-19 vaccines, providers should order smaller quantities of vaccine and re-order as needed.

All expired and spoiled COVID-19 vaccine provided through the Bridge Access Program must be returned to McKesson and reported as waste in myCAvax. A return shipping label will be sent to your Primary Vaccine Coordinator one business day after CDPH completes processing (every Wednesday), if email is selected as the return shipping label method. If physical mail is the selected method for the return label, it should arrive within 3-5 business days barring any unforeseen circumstances. Only the Primary Vaccine Coordinator will receive the email. Please contact the CDPH Provider Call Center if you need to reassign this role.

Email: ProviderCallCenter@cdph.ca.gov

Phone: 833-502-1245

Return shipping labels are provided at no cost. Providers can use the prepaid return labels and drop-off the expired vaccines at a UPS store location, or leave it with their UPS driver during a regular delivery. If a UPS pickup is scheduled, you may be charged a pick-up fee which CDPH will not cover.

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Action Required: Update Storage Units in myCAvax

All providers must update their storage units to indicate which program vaccines are being stored in a given unit. To make this update, you will need to provide the following details: storage unit brand and model, and thermometer model and serial number. Transfers will not function properly for any program in the system unless these updates are made.

If you are a VFA or LHD 317 provider and have not completed recertification yet, these changes can be made during the recertification process.

If you are a BAP, SGF, or Outbreak provider, you can make these changes under the Storage Capacities section of your account. VFA and LHD 317 providers who have already completed recertification can similarly log into their myCAvax account and make the necessary changes under the Storage Capacities section.

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Influenza Updates

  • Flu activity has been declining, but significant activity can continue into the spring.
  • Continue vaccinating until the last flu dose expires!
  • This season’s flu vaccines have been shown to protect against flu-related medical visits and hospitalizations across all age groups.
    • Vaccine effectiveness 45-67% from CDC and CDPH data
    • 2024-2025 U.S. Flu Vaccines Expected to Be All Trivalent
  • Current influenza vaccines are quadrivalent and contain 2 influenza A (H1N1 & H3N2) and 2 influenza B (Victoria & Yamagata) strains.
  • B/Yamagata influenza viruses have not been detected in the world since March 2020. Given this, experts have recommended that this strain be removed, resulting in a trivalent flu vaccine.
  • At the 3/5/24 FDA VRBPAC meeting, it was announced that U.S. manufacturers are expected to transition from quadrivalent to trivalent influenza vaccines by the 2024- 2025 season.

FDA anticipates that there will be an adequate and diverse supply of approved trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines for the U.S. in the 2024-2025 season.

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End of RSV Season: Nirsevimab Turned Off from Ordering

  • The timing of administration of nirsevimab is recommended from October through March.
  • In alignment with RSV vaccination season, CDC has zeroed out our California allocation balances
    • As a result, the VFC Program has turned off ordering of the nirsevimab (BeyfortusTM) 50mg product.
    • New allocations from CDC for nirsevimab will be implemented for the 2024-2025 season.
    • RSV ordering will resume later this fall.
  • Based on current shelf life for nirsevimab, providers with nirsevimab inventory on hand at the end of the 2023-2024 vaccination season should plan to store the product for use in the 2024-2025 season.

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JYNNEOS Updates

Commercialization

  • After April, Jynneos vaccine will still be available for delivery from our DPH partner warehouse.
  • We do not anticipate any changes to the ordering and delivery cadence at this time. 
  • Please continue to place orders in myCAvax on a weekly or biweekly basis (or less frequently) according to your clinics' demand

 

Ordering and Waste Reporting Reminders

  • Minimum order size: 5 vials – If you want less than 5 vials, please leave a note in the comments section when placing an order. ​
  • No maximum order size – We will fill based on your administration data, storage capacity, and inventory at our warehouse. Order justification may be needed. Orders may be reduced.
  • Leave a note in the comments section if you want to receive frozen vials, or orders will be delivered at refrigerated temperature​
    • Jynneosvaccine is good for 8 weeks at refrigerated temperature.​
  • Report waste as the number of FULL vials wasted NOT partial vials ​
    • If doing intradermal administration and you don't finish the vial, do not report this partially used vial as waste.

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Respiratory Disease Immunization Recommendations Update

  • PEMGARDA has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in certain adults and adolescent individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg):
  • Who are not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who have not had a known recent exposure to an individual infected with SARS CoV-2 and
  • Who have moderate-to-severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments and are unlikely to mount an adequate response to COVID19 vaccination.
  • The emergency use of PEMGARDA is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated, or authorization is revoked sooner.
  • PEMGARDA is not authorized for use:
    • For treatment of COVID-19, or
    • For post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in individuals who have been exposed to someone infected with SARS CoV-2.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis with PEMGARDA is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. Individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended, including individuals with moderate-to-severe immune compromise who may derive benefit from COVID-19 vaccination, should receive COVID-19 vaccination.
  • In individuals who have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine, PEMGARDA should be administered at least 2 weeks after vaccination.
  • PEMGARDA may only be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who are licensed or authorized under State law to prescribe drugs.

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Respiratory Disease Immunization Recommendations Update

  • The current spread of respiratory diseases is slowing; continue recommending immunizations and follow the timing guidelines below for COVID, flu, and RSV immunizations to keep your patients protected throughout the entire year! 

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  • Continue administering remaining doses of nirsevimab to infants and toddlers through the end of March. 
  • Unused/unexpired VFC supply of nirsevimab and prenatal Abrysvo cannot be returned to McKesson. Please save these doses for the next RSV season and label these “Keep for Fall.” 
  • For more information please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vaccines/

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Reminder: Reporting Shipment Incidents in myCAvax

  • Providers are required to report Shipment Incidents in myCAvax as soon as an incident has been discovered for BAP, SGF, LHD 317, and VFA orders. The form can be found in the ‘Shipment Incidents’ tab under the ‘Vaccine Inventory’ dropdown menu in the provider community.
  •  Report any of these issues immediately for resolution:
  • Broken, torn, or tampered with
  • Not ordered / incorrect recipient
  • Out-of-range temperature
  • Package never arrived
  • Previously opened
  • Shipping contents discrepancies
  • Once the report has been made, CDPH will contact the distributor for a resolution on behalf of the provider. If additional information is needed, CDPH will contact the provider directly. Once a resolution has been given, CDPH will inform the provider via email and post the resolution details in the ‘Guidance/Resolution’ section of the Shipment Incident report.

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UPCOMING WEBINARS

  • CDPH Infection Prevention Webinar from 3:00 – 4:00 pm
  • California Immunization Coalition Annual Summit
    • Location: The Safe Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA - June 5-6, 2024 Registration Link
  • Virtual Grand Rounds: Black Health in California - Moving Towards Equity
  • Webinar: California Regional Exposure (CARE) Study Key Findings
  • VFA Office Hours Tuesday, April 23, 2024 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)

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LACDPH & CDPH Provider Office Hours Link

  • LA County Department of Public Health Provider Immunization Office Hours Information
  • Every other Wednesday from 9am-10am – April 24, 2024
  • To request meeting slides or be added to our Office Hours listserv, please email covidvaccinereq@ph.lacounty.gov
  • Microsoft Teams meeting
  • Join on your computer or mobile app
  • Click here to join the meeting
  • Or call in (audio only)
  • +1 323-776-6996,,350547595#   United States, Los Angeles
  • Phone Conference ID: 350 547 595#

 

  • California Department of Public Health Provider Office Hours Registration Link
  • NOTE: The next Provider Office Hours will be held next Friday April 19 from 9am-10:30am.
  • Complete one-time registration here.
  • Meeting recordings and slides can be found here.

 

  • Providers should add staff names to the Provider Listserv to receive weekly emails and updates. To be added, please email blanca.corona@cdph.ca.gov