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Given the recent increase of nirsevimab 100 mg doses received, ordering is now available to all Vaccine for Children (VFC) providers with a maximum ordering quantity of 50 doses. Please only order what will be needed for the remainder of the RSV season (end of March, 4-6 weeks of anticipated inventory).
Please refer to the communication that went out earlier this week for more detailed information.
Seasonal administration of maternal RSV vaccine is only recommended through the end of January.
Infants born to unvaccinated mothers during RSV season should receive nirsevimab instead through the end of March (i.e., February 1–March 31).
Q: Can maternal RSV vaccine be administered after January 31?
- Maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo, Pfizer) should be administered to pregnant persons only during September–January in most of the continental United States* to target vaccine to pregnant persons whose infants will be in their first months of life, to provide their infants with the highest protection during their first RSV season.
- Administering maternal RSV vaccine starting in September (1–2 months before the anticipated start of the RSV season) and continuing through January (2–3 months before the anticipated end of the RSV season) will maximize cost-effectiveness and benefits.
Q: Clinically, what is the rationale for the January 31 cutoff for most of the continental U.S.*?
- RSV vaccine is given in anticipation that the infant will be born when RSV activity is still high. After January 31, in most of the continental U.S., infants will be born when RSV activity is expected to be lower, and there is less benefit relative to the cost of vaccine. If infants are expected to be born during low periods of RSV transmission, nirsevimab is recommended because it can be timed so that maximum protection is aligned with the period of high RSV transmission.
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Q: If a dose of maternal RSV vaccine is inadvertently administered after January 31, is it considered valid?
- Yes, even if vaccination occurs after January 31*, the dose is considered valid. Nirsevimab is not recommended for the infant after they are born. Either maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy or nirsevimab administration to the infant is recommended to prevent RSV-associated LRTI in infants, but both are not needed for most infants.
Q: Will a dose inadvertently administered after January 31 be covered by Medicaid or private insurance?*
- Private insurance: Coverage may vary by private insurer or insurance plan. Please check with the specific private insurance provider for more information.
- Medicaid: CDC is currently speaking with CMS to better understand coverage. We will provide more information when it is available.
For more information:
Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine During Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus
To mitigate concerns with wastage and increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among our most vulnerable populations, we are now considering any COVID-19 vaccine acquired through the Maine Immunization Program's (MIP) Vaccines for Children or the Bridge Access Program exempt from our Vaccine Replacement Policy.
As a reminder to all MIP enrolled provider - enrollment into the BAP is open to all providers. BAP providers are required to provide BAP COVID-19 vaccines to eligible patients (under-and uninsured adults, 19 years and older) at no cost which includes administration fees. However, MIP does have a program to reimburse BAP providers for administration fees at a rate of $50 per vaccination.
If interested, please reach out to MIP for information on how to enroll: MEAdultVaccine@maine.gov. |
