Maine Immunization Program Weekly Update - November 3, 2023

Maine Department of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 11/03/2023 04:00 PM EDT

Maine Immunization Program

Weekly Update

November 3, 2023

 logo

To minimize the flood of daily communications out to providers, we will be sending "Weekly Updates" with all communications included in one communication. We hope this helps in keeping up with all of the important vaccine information sent out from our program.

In this update:

Important Information: Ensuring Correct Dosing of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) to Individuals 6 months through 11 years (0.25mL)

The FDA released important information to ensure correct administration of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) for individuals 6 months through 11 years.  

The announcement advises that providers who administer the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) to individuals ages 6 months through 11 years should ensure that the correct volume of the vaccine (0.25 mL) is withdrawn from the vial and administered to the recipient. Providers should discard the vial and excess volume after extracting a single 0.25mL dose. Excess volume should not be used to administer an additional dose. Additionally, never combine partial doses from multiple vials to make one dose for a patient. 

FDA shared this information after learning some healthcare providers may not recognize that the single dose vial of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) contains more than 0.25 ml of the vaccine and may be withdrawing the entire contents of the vial to administer to an individual. FDA has not identified any safety risks associated with administration of the higher dose in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age, and no serious adverse events related to this issue have been identified.  

For additional information, see the FDA announcement, updated Moderna fact sheet, and the vaccine administration resources listed at the end of this email. 

Availability of Nirsevimab for Hospitals and Tribal Health Centers

With the arrival of additional 50mg nirsevimab product this week (NDC 49281-0575-15), we have increased allocations for this product to hospitals and tribal health centers only, based on birth populations. No other provider locations will be able to order Nirsevimab at this time.

We anticipate additional product will continue to be made available approximately every 2 to 3 weeks by the manufacturer and will keep eligible providers updated as additional vaccine becomes available.

New COVID-19 and Updated Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine VISs Now Available

A new Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for COVID-19 vaccine and an updated VIS for RSV vaccine have been posted. We encourage providers to begin using these VISs immediately, but stocks of previous editions may be used until exhausted.

Bridge Access Program Now Open to All Enrolled MIP Providers

OPEN Adult COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment

The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) has opened access for enrollment to the Bridge Access Program (BAP) to all enrolled MIP providers. Previously, enrollment was limited to FQHCs, public health departments, community pharmacies, Indian Health Services, jails and correctional facilities based on recommendation from the federal Bridge Access Program.

Any provider interested in enrolling will be required to fill out an enrollment packet (attached below). The following documents within the enrollment packet should be returned to: MEAdultVaccine@maine.gov.

  • Signed Letter of Agreement
  • Vendor Form*
  • Provider Profile
  • Adult Enrollment Form

*Vendor forms are only required for providers that wish to receive reimbursement for administration fees.

Once fully enrolled, participating providers will have access to order COVID-19 vaccine through MIP at no charge. Providers will email MEAdultVaccine@maine.gov on a monthly basis, by the first Wednesday of each month, to request needed Bridge program vaccine for the upcoming month and MIP staff will place an order on the provider’s behalf.

To receive reimbursement for administrative costs, providers will report administration data and invoice to MIP staff on a quarterly basis (December 2023, March 2024, June 2024, September 2024, December 2024). The state will then issue a reimbursement of $50 per administered dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This process will continue until funds are depleted or December 2024, whichever comes first.

Bridge Access Program Enrollment Packet

Letter of Agreement

Provider Profile

Vendor Authorization Form

Quarterly Administration Invoice

Administrative Tracking Sheet

Adult Vaccine Program Enrollment Form

We thank you for all you have done and continue to do to ensure that all Mainers have access to COVID-19 vaccine.