From all of us at the Maine Immunization Program, Happy New Year!

Thank you for all you do to keep Mainers free from vaccine preventable diseases! We look forward to working with you in 2023! 

Hepatitis A Outbreaks in Maine

Maine continues to have an outbreak of hepatitis A across the state. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for, and should be offered to, patients with risk factors for infection (persons reporting drug use, homelessness, incarceration, and men who have sex with men) or patients with severe outcomes associated with hepatitis A infection such as those with chronic liver disease. Facilities serving at-risk populations should stock hepatitis A vaccine including a monovalent hepatitis A vaccine product (Havrix or Vaqta). If you are a facility or provider wishing to order hepatitis A vaccine, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at 207-287-3746 or 800-867-4775 or ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov. Hepatitis A vaccine is available for children 12 months-18 years of age regardless of insurance status and for adults 19 years and older, who are either underinsured or uninsured. 

For more information on the current outbreak, refer to the November 2022 Maine CDC Health-Alert.

Quality Improvement Tips for Vaccine Provider Offices 

• Strengthen vaccine communications by providing a positive vaccination messaging throughout your practice.
• Provide accurate information on all ACIP vaccines.
• Develop and implement a practice-wide vaccination policy. Sample Vaccine Policy Statement
• Incorporate and routinely refresh vaccine-related content on your practice’s website.

Long Term Care COVID-19 Vaccination 

The U.S. CDC has created a COVID-19 vaccine sub-provider agreement to allow Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities that are not directly enrolled as providers in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program to access COVID-19 vaccine doses through enrolled pharmacy providers for direct administration by the LTC facilities to their residents and staff. To learn more about enrolling in this program, please visit the CDC website here.

Additionally, the Maine Immunization Program would appreciate your time in completing a quick, 2-minute survey to gauge interest among LTC facilities who would like to participate in this program. Please take a moment to complete the survey here.

Thank you for all your efforts to increase vaccination among this critical population who are at great risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.  

NEW Priorix (MMR) & Vaxneuvance (PCV-15) Vaccines 

The Maine Immunization Program has introduced two new vaccines for enrolled providers to order,  Priorix® and Vaxneuvance®.

Priorix® is a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) combination vaccine manufactured by Glaxo SmithKline. Priorix® is stored in the refrigerator and packaged in a box of 10 single dose vials. Priorix® is licensed for ages 12 months of age and older: dose one at 12–15 months of age; dose two at 4 through 6 years of age.

Priorix® can be administered as a second dose to individuals who have received a first dose of another MMR containing vaccine. 

Vaxneuvance ® is a Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate vaccine manufactured by Merck. Vaxneuvance ® is stored in the refrigerator and packaged in a box of 10 single dose syringes. Vaxneuvance ® is licensed for a four-dose series at 2, 4, 6 and 12–15 months of age.

Vaxneuvance ® can be used to complete a series started with Pfizer’s PCV13. 

Please visit our website to view MIP's presentation with vaccine manufacturers to introduce Priorix and Vaxnuevance.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The National Cervical Cancer Coalition recognizes Cervical Health Awareness Month in January. In an effort to raise awareness about cervical cancer, HPV disease, and the importance of getting screened, we encourage providers to use these Cervical Cancer Awareness resources from the CDC to help educate patients and others in your community.

Pfizer and Moderna

COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Date Extension

Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended the expiration date for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (monovalent and bivalent) from 12 to 18 months from manufacturer date. Before discarding any vaccine, providers should check the expiration date using Pfizer-BioNTech's expiration date tool at Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Lot Expiry (cvdvaccine.com). NOTE: This expiration date extension applies to both vaccine vials currently stored at ultra-cold temperatures (-90°C and -60°C [-130°F and -76°F]) and at refrigerated temperatures (2°C and 8°C [36°F and 46°F])–even if these vials were moved to refrigerated temperatures prior to the extension. 

EXAMPLE: If a vaccine with an original expiration date of 12/20/2022, was removed from ultra-cold storage and placed in a refrigerator on 12/4/2022.  Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine stored in a refrigerator must be used within 10 weeks (beyond-use date [BUD]).  Based on the date the vaccine was placed in the refrigerator, the vaccine’s BUD is 2/12/2023.  Without the expiration date extension, this vaccine could only be used up to the expiration date (12/20/2022)–not the full 10 weeks. HOWEVER, with this extension, the expiration date is now AFTER the BUD. The vaccine can be used for the full 10 weeks. 

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Date Extension and Beyond-Use Dates 

Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended the expiration date for select lots of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (monovalent). This extension includes some lots of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (ages 6-11 and 12+). Before discarding any vaccine, providers should check the expiration date using Moderna’s expiration date tool at Vial Expiration Checker.  NOTE: This expiration date extension applies to both vaccine vials currently stored at both frozen temperatures between (-50°C and -15°C [-58°F and 5°F]) and refrigerated temperatures (2°C and 8°C [36°F and 46°F])–even if these vials were moved to refrigerated temperatures prior to the extension. 

For example, if a vaccine (original expiration date = 12/20/2022) was removed from frozen storage and placed in a refrigerator on 12/4/2022.  Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine stored in a refrigerator must be used within 30 days (beyond-use date [BUD]). Based on the date the vaccine was place in the refrigerator, the vaccine’s BUD is 1/03/2023.  Without the expiration date extension, this vaccine could only be used up to the expiration date (12/20/2022)–not the full 30 days.  HOWEVER, with this extension, the expiration date is now AFTER the BUD. The vaccine can be used for the full 30 days. 

FluMist® Replacement Program 

McKesson is offering a FluMist® Quadrivalent Replacement Program for product purchased through the CDC contract for 2022-2023. The replacement program allows for the replacement of unused, expiring FluMist® Quadrivalent doses, at no cost, to help you maximize product usage opportunities. Please see the following communication for instructions for returning doses. FluMist Replacement Program.