|
Each year, the flu significantly impacts the health and well-being of children and their families. Annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from the flu and its potentially serious complications.
To ensure optimal protection, children should receive the flu vaccine every flu season.
Some children aged 6 months to 8 years may need two doses of the flu vaccine this season:
- Those being vaccinated for the first time,
- Those who have previously received only one dose of flu vaccine, or
- Those with an unknown flu vaccination history.
For these children, it’s important to administer the first dose as soon as the vaccine is available, as the second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first.
Immunize.org has put together a Guide for Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years. This easy-to-follow chart will help vaccine providers determine if a child needs a second flu vaccine. You will want to save this valuable resource!
The Kansas Immunization Program continues to see notable polio vaccine wastage during monthly Vaccines for Children (VFC) inventory reviews, and this remains an ongoing concern. We frequently receive questions regarding expiration dates of multi-dose vials, so we decided to “Ask the Experts” from Immunize.org.
What are the CDC guidelines regarding use of multiple dose vaccine vials?
Vaccines in multidose vials (MDVs) that do not require reconstitution (excluding COVID-19 vaccines) can be used through the expiration date printed on the label provided the vaccine is not contaminated, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. For example, inactivated polio vaccine in an MDV can be used through the expiration date on the vial.
Multi-dose vials of Polio should be stored between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) and doses should be withdrawn with a new, sterile needle and syringe each time the vial is accessed. As long as the vial is stored within recommended temperatures, accessed as directed, and continues to have a normal appearance, the vial can be used through the expiration date. See Package Insert - IPOL (fda.gov) for more information.
Page 21 of the CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit also addresses multidose vial expiration dates.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact your Regional Immunization Nurse or the Nurse on Call via phone at 877-296-0464 or email kdhe.immconsultant@ks.gov.
Additional resources:
Don't Be Guilty of These Preventable Errors in Vaccine Storage and Handling!
Coming soon! Just a reminder that all Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) providers are required to complete an influenza vaccine pre-book survey.
To adequately plan for the upcoming 2026-2027 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all VFC enrolled providers to complete an influenza vaccine pre-book early in the year, with a very quick turnaround time. The CDC then works with the vaccine manufacturers to implement contracts and ensure adequate doses are available.
All VFC providers are required to complete the flu pre-book survey indicating the number of doses and preferred vaccine brand requested for the 2026-2027 flu season. Providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program may request doses for use with uninsured and underinsured adults. Local Health Departments, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may submit requests for special projects. For consideration, projects must include the number of doses requested, preferred vaccine brand, and must include details regarding the special project such as location and intended population that will be reached. Vaccines must be ordered in 10 dose increments.
When we have all the information needed from the CDC, we will send out additional communication on how providers can complete the 2026-2027 prebook.
Please contact your Regional Immunization Nurse or Nurse On-Call at 877-296-0464 if you have any additional questions.
Why does eligibility reporting matter for every provider?
A recent audit has identified a sharp increase in patient and vaccine eligibility data that is either missing or incorrect. This information is required for every administered dose, and it is a critical part of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program compliance.
When eligibility is sent incorrectly, the system cannot determine whether a dose was used from the appropriate funding source. This becomes a serious issue when we review potential vaccine borrowing events. If KSWebIZ cannot validate the eligibility that was reported at the time of administration, it can appear as if federally funded VFC doses were given to privately insured patients or that private stock was used for VFC or VFA eligible patients.
Why is this concerning and requires your attention?
Incomplete or incorrect eligibility data can lead to several real consequences.
Repayment of borrowed doses
If a borrowing event cannot be verified due to missing eligibility information, the provider may be required to replace the doses using privately purchased vaccine.
Impact on future ordering
Repeated issues with missing or inaccurate eligibility can result in temporary ordering holds while we work with the clinic to correct reporting practices. This helps protect VFC vaccine integrity across the state.
Program compliance risk
Federal guidelines require complete eligibility reporting for all VFC and VFA providers. Missing data increases audit findings and affects the overall standing of the clinic within the program.
What providers need to do
Please review your current workflows to ensure your EHR or your direct entry process sends accurate patient and vaccine level eligibility for every administered dose. This includes:
- Ensuring all staff understand the correct eligibility categories
- Verifying that EHR mappings are accurate and up to date
- Monitoring daily submissions for HL7 errors
- Correcting any missing or miscoded doses as soon as possible
As we prepare for the winter season, please review the 2025–2026 Vaccine for Children (VFC)/317 and Direct-Ship Vaccine Holiday Shipping Calendar. This resource outlines shipping interruptions and modified delivery schedules for McKesson, Pfizer COVID direct ship, and Merck direct ship orders to help you plan ahead.
As you anticipate vaccine orders during the holidays, please keep the following in mind:
-
Processing Times: Routine vaccine shipments from McKesson may take up to four business days to process before they are shipped. Providers with irregular business hours (outside Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) may experience longer timelines.
-
Verify Your Delivery Hours: Now is an ideal time to confirm that your delivery availability in KSWebIZ is accurate. Up-to-date business hours help ensure timely deliveries — especially since distributors may attempt delivery any weekday, including Mondays, based on your listed availability.
-
Order Early & Maintain Adequate Inventory: To avoid interruptions in vaccine supply, please place orders early and maintain at least four weeks of inventory. Weather, increased shipping volume and holiday closures can all contribute to delays.
By planning ahead, we can work together to maintain a steady vaccine supply for Kansas communities throughout the holiday season. If you encounter delivery issues or have questions, please contact kdhe.vaccine@ks.gov
Please see the calendar and tips below for the shipping updates over the next month. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact the 340B Program. For urgent ACTIVE Tuberculosis medication orders please email kdhe.bdcpmeds@ks.gov as well as KDHE.IDManagement@ks.gov.
- NO PPD, STI or TB shipments from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2.
- Routine medications/PPD solution distribution will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2026.
- Please be sure to request your medications and PPD solution early and prepare for shipping delays as we head into the holiday season.
- Emergency shipments will be authorized at the discretion of 340B Program.
The 340B Drug Pricing Program next quarterly registration will take place Jan. 1-15, 2024.
If you have not previously registered, please contact Kristie Cortes, 340B Program Administrator. Kristie can be reached via email or phone number 785-296-0866 to schedule a time during the registration period for assistance in completing your registration. Please visit 340B Program for more information.
More Than Meets the Eye: Understanding Ocular Tuberculosis Dec. 18, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. CST
WORK-TB: Workplace Occupational Risk and Knowledge on TB Dec. 18, 2025 at noon CST
HIV 201 for Clinical Staff Dec. 19, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. CST
Click here for out full training list.
|
