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To: Maine Immunization Providers
From: Maine Immunization Program
Subject: Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines now available for ordering
Date: August 25, 2022
As we head into the fall, preparations are being made to start the distribution of the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. On June 30, 2022, manufacturers were advised by the FDA to add an Omicron BA.4/5 spike protein component to the current vaccine composition.
The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, created by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are now available to order through ImmPact, however, they may not be administered until the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets in early September.
The minimum/maximum orders for each presentation will be as follows:
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Pfizer-BioNTech
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Moderna
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Minimum
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300
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100
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Maximum
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300
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200
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NOTE: Doses of each vaccine are being made available under thresholds rather than allocations, resulting in limited quantities of vaccine available to providers through this rollout.
The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to be administered as a single booster dose to those who previously completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine.
Pending the release of the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs), it is anticipated that bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster doses may initially be authorized for people ages 12 years and older (Pfizer-BioNTech) and for people ages 18 years and older (Moderna), followed by younger pediatric age groups. It is also anticipated that the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines will only be authorized as a single dose in people who have completed a primary vaccination series but would not vary by number or type of prior booster doses received.
The new vaccines will have the same storage and handling requirements as the original vaccine products:
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- Ultra-cold freezer storage (-90°C to -60°C) until expiry
- NO FREEZER STORAGE
- Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C) up to 10 weeks without puncturing
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- NO ULTRA-COLD FREEZER STORAGE
- Freezer storage (-25°C to -15°C) until expiry
- Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C) up to 30 days without puncturing
The Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine will be packaged in 6-dose vials in cartons of 10 vials each (60 doses total).
The Moderna bivalent vaccine will be packaged in 5-dose vials in cartons of 10 vials each (50 doses total). Once punctured, each vial must be used within 12 hours.
As with the existing Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech (gray cap) products, vials must be discarded ≤12 hours after the first puncture.
Ancillary supplies will be provided, including a variety of 1-inch and 1.5-inch needles and syringes. An ancillary opt-out continues to be available for all non-diluent kits.
If you have any questions, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at (207) 287-3746 or email ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov.
Thank you for your continued efforts to ensure that Mainers have access to COVID-19 vaccination.
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