 Dear Vaccine Providers,
On Thursday 8/22/24, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with this formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Those actions relate to updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Per the FDA, the 2023 - 2024 Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized and should not be administered. It will be considered an administration error if this vaccine is given now that the new COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use.
Please ensure the following to minimize the risk of vaccine administration errors:
- Remove all 2023 - 2024 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from storage units immediately, even if they are not expired.
- Cancel appointments scheduled where only the 2023-2024 Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines were to be administered.
- Return all unused 2023 - 2024 mRNA COVID vaccines to CDC’s centralized distributor using the normal process for returning spoiled/expired vaccines. Note: VFC and BAP providers are to return expired/spoiled vaccines to McKesson. Guidance is available at https://eziz.org/vaccine-management/vaccine-returns/.
- Document any vaccine identified for disposal as 'wasted' in myCAvax/CAIR.
- If you administered any of the 2023-2034 COVID-19 vaccines after Thursday 8/22/2024, doses need to be reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
Click here for more information on the FDA’s approval of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine.
The 2023–2024 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized but is no longer available in the United States, as all doses have expired. Accordingly, at this time, CDC recommendations for use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine have been removed. CDC recommendations will be updated if FDA approves or authorizes additional 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines.
Thank you for continuing to keep the residents of Los Angeles County safe and healthy.
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