 Thank you for all that you do and continue to do to keep Mainer's free from vaccine-preventable diseases!
From all of us at the Maine Immunization Program, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
The Maine Immunization Program would like to offer a reminder to clinicians about the two currently available Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine formulations.
These two formulations are not interchangeable
To avoid the potential for errors in administering these different formulations, we are recommending that clinicians:
- Always confirm the patient’s age prior to administration of vaccine, both verbally and by checking consent forms from parent/guardian.
- Check your vials three times to make sure you have the correct vaccine in hand.
- Confirm the correct dosage. Vaccine dosage is based on the patient’s age, not their weight.
- Document appropriately in ImmPact to ensure the patient receives the correct number of doses and extra doses are not given.
If a vaccine administration error is made, please take the following steps:
- Inform the recipient of the vaccine administration error.
- Consult with the Maine Immunization Program to see how the dose should be entered into ImmPact, both as an administered dose and to account for inventory.
- Providers are required to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration errors—even those not associated with an adverse event—to VAERS - VAERS - Report an Adverse Event (hhs.gov).
- Determine how the error occurred and implement strategies to prevent it from happening again.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations (cdc.gov) document provides resources for preventing and reporting COVID-19 vaccine administration errors, as well as actions to take after an error has occurred.
Additional education and training programs for healthcare personnel are also available here: Vaccine Education and Training for Healthcare Professionals | CDC.
As a reminder to providers, in contrast to the Adolescent/Adult formulation, the Pfizer 5 to 11 year old formulation does NOT allow for transporting punctured vials or pre-drawn syringes. ONLY unpunctured vials may be transported.
Transport Guidance for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine FORMULATION 5 through 11 year old
In October, several Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) were updated. Please check all of your clinic’s printed VIS and replace any that are outdated with the most current versions.
Visit CDC’s VIS webpage to print the current versions of each statement. You can also sign up through this webpage to receive email alerts when VIS are updated.
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Maine CDC would like to remind our COVID-19 Vaccine Providers about the expectations that are agreed upon in the Provider Agreement with the State of Maine.
- The Covid Provider Agreement should be easily accessible and up-to-date
- Administration of all COVID-19 vaccine must be logged in ImmPact within 24 hours.
- Reconciliation of COVID-19 inventory must be completed every 2 weeks at a minimum.
- Physical inventory must match ImmPact inventory, especially when receiving or transferring vaccine.
- A physical temperature log with staff initials must be kept on site for fridge/freezer housing vaccine.
- If Data Exchange is being utilized, items in fix tool must be corrected daily.
MIP will continue to monitor these requirements and notify provider sites that are found to be non-compliant. If you have questions or need assistance in meeting these requirements, please call the Maine Immunization Program at 207-287-3746.
 National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination.
From December 5-11, 2021 we will be observing National Influenza Vaccination Week, reminding everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get a flu vaccine. Included on the U.S. CDC's website are CDC’s NIVW resources, vaccination messages, and activities you can use to share key flu information with your networks.
Pfizer Vaccines U.S. Medical Affairs continues to host daily Medical Updates & Immunization Site Training for All Providers with a Focus on Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 through 11 Years of Age.
In addition to Medical Updates, session topics will include:
- Use of vaccine for:
- Children 5 through 11 Years of Age
- Individuals 12 Years of Age and Older
- Storage, Handling, Preparation, & Administration for the multiple presentations of the vaccine
- Recent medical updates regarding the vaccine
- An overview of healthcare provider resources
- Question and answer session
To access current and future training sessions, please check here.
These sessions will be updated to reflect new information and changes that evolve. Such updates will be identified at the start of each session and further explained during each presentation.
Before administration of the vaccine, please see the EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers for 5 through 11 years of age (DILUTE PRIOR TO USE/Orange cap).
'Tis the season for inclement weather and potential power outages. Please ensure vaccines maintain stable temperatures. If you experience a power outage, please refer to your clinic's Routine & Emergency Vaccine Management Plan.
Emergency transport does not require prior approval. If vaccines are transported, ensure that a downloadable digital data logger(s) is used to record vaccine temperatures while in transit.
Report all temperature excursions to 207-287-3746 or ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov
Resources:
Vaccine Temperature Excursion Guide
Vaccine Transport Guidelines |
