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Immunize.org has released updated standing orders templates for administering 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months through 18 years and adults ages 19 years and older. These age-based templates include all available COVID-19 vaccine products and incorporate recommendations from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG), along with relevant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive individualized clinical evaluation to determine appropriate vaccination timing and dosing.
Immunize.org has also updated its Checklist of Current Versions of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance and Clinic Support Tools, which includes links to current recommendations, standing orders, and other resources.
Providers should review these updated materials to ensure they are using the most current guidance for the 2026–27 respiratory virus season.
Additional Resources:
Immunize.org COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Vaccine-Specific Recommendations Archives | Immunize.org
The Kansas Immunization Program (KIP) is sharing an update to the return process for McKesson EcoFlex coolers. Effective Oct. 12, 2026, UPS automatically schedules a pickup for empty EcoFlex coolers within 1–2 business days after delivery. Providers using the UPS label return process no longer need to call or schedule a pickup online.
This change applies only to cooler returns. The process for returning spoiled or expired vaccine remains the same through the return module in KSWebIZ.
Preparing coolers for return
Before returning a cooler, please make sure all vaccine products have been removed and transferred to appropriate storage. Remove temperature monitors and dispose of them according to your standard practice.
Return options and missed pickups
Standard UPS return shipping labels will continue to be included inside the box. Providers may use the included label to return the cooler through standard shipping channels if they prefer not to wait for the automatic pickup.
If UPS cannot complete the initial pickup, up to three automatic reattempts will be made. If the cooler has not been collected after those reattempts, contact McKesson Customer Service for assistance or return it using the included UPS label.
Flyers included in McKesson shipments are linked below for your reference:
VFC Refrigerated Vaccine Flyer
VFC Frozen Vaccine Flyer
Questions or assistance
Questions about automated cooler pickup should be directed to McKesson Customer Service.
McKesson Customer Service Phone: 1-877-822-7746 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Eastern Time Email: cdccustomerservice@mckesson.com
Questions about vaccine orders or vaccine returns should be directed to KDHE.Vaccine@ks.gov.
Join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) for the 3-day online 2026 Clinical Vaccinology Course from Nov. 16-18, 2026.
Course content will be focused on US immunization recommendations and clinical best practices. This year’s sessions will highlight practical strategies to ensure timely and appropriate vaccination across all ages. Expert speakers will share evidence-based insights and real-world approaches designed to help providers strengthen immunization delivery and improve vaccination rates in their communities.
Topics include:
- Evidence-based immunization recommendations
- Improving vaccine confidence
- Preventing and treating respiratory diseases
- Protecting special populations
- Vaccine safety data and monitoring
View the Agenda
Fee: $700 Individual Registration
Earn continuing education credit up to 13.5 hours.
Register Here
Those unable to attend the live event can register for the “Enduring Activity” to access recorded sessions from Dec. 1, 2026 – Feb. 26, 2027, to learn at your own pace.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance for maternal RSV vaccination and extended the recommended maternal RSV vaccination window through March 1.
Pregnant individuals are now recommended to receive one dose of Abrysvo (RSVpreF) from Sept. 1 through March 1, between 32 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation, if delivery is not planned within two weeks.
What Providers Need to Know
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Abrysvo is the only RSV vaccine approved for use during pregnancy.
- Maternal RSV vaccination is currently recommended once, not with each subsequent pregnancy. Experts continue to evaluate the data to determine whether this recommendation will be updated in the future.
- If a patient received RSV vaccine during a previous pregnancy, the infant should receive an RSV monoclonal antibody.
- If maternal vaccination is not given, the infant should receive an RSV monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus) or clesrovimab (Enflonsia), as recommended.
- The extended vaccination window reflects recent RSV seasons occurring later in the spring and provides additional opportunities to protect infants from severe RSV disease.
Providers are encouraged to discuss RSV prevention during pregnancy and ensure that infants are protected through either maternal vaccination or an appropriate RSV monoclonal antibody.
As we prepare for the winter season, please review the 2026–2027 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:
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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.
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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.
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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
Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) has published new kids’ activities that highlight healthy habits during flu season and the importance of flu vaccination for children and their families. Designed for children in preschool through elementary school, the activities range from a Kansas-themed coloring page to a mystery word search.
Public health professionals and health educators can use these activities at community events, in classrooms, and during family outreach to make flu education engaging and accessible for children.
The activities are available in English and Spanish and include:
Another helpful tool during respiratory season is IKC’s Respiratory Resource webpage. The page features a variety of resources for public health professionals, providers, and community members, including:
IKC continues to share new resources and information to support education and outreach throughout respiratory season.
As we plan for the upcoming holiday seasons, please review the following shipping calendar. Planning ahead, anticipating needs, and possible orders during the upcoming holidays, can help to prevent any delays or disruptions for Kansas communities throughout the upcoming season.
Shipping Calendar
If there are any delivery issues, emergency situations, or questions please reach out to Kristie Cortes Kristie.cortes@ks.gov
About the Series
This series will include five sessions on every other Wednesday, beginning Oct. 28 through Dec. 9, 2026.
- There will be no sessions held on Nov. 11 or 25.
All courses will be held via Zoom from Noon – 1 P.M. CST.
Bringing together healthcare professionals from Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri, the 2026 Tri-State Syndemic ECHO examines the connections among HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, substance use, behavioral health needs, and other co-occurring conditions. Topics include prevention, testing and diagnosis, treatment advances, co-infection management, sexual and reproductive health, access to care, and coordinated, whole-person care in rural communities and other areas with limited healthcare resources.
Register Now.
STI Prevention Conference Show & Tell Oct. 28, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. CST
Diagnosis and Management of Common Opportunistic Infections in People With HIV Nov. 3, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. CST
Ask the Experts / Q&A Panel Nov. 4, 2026 at noon CST.
Check out our full training list.
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