COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 05/12/2022 10:10 AM CDT
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COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

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Minnesota Department of Health

May 12, 2022

 

FDA limits use of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

On May 5, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limited the use of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine to only the following people ages 18 years and older: 

  • For whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate. 
  • Those who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.  

The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheets for Healthcare Providers and Recipients and Caregivers have been updated. For further details, refer to the FDA’s media statement: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals.  

CDC continues to endorse the ACIP’s preferential recommendation for the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in all persons 18 years of age and older. MDH strongly recommends providers who are offering the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, to also carry at least one of the mRNA vaccines. It is important to discuss the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) among persons who are going to receive the Janssen vaccine. 

MDH has updated the COVID-19 Janssen Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine protocol found on COVID-19 Vaccine Providers and the Interim COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Guide. 

Digital Data Loggers (DDLs) for COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccination providers should obtain DDLs if they have not already done so. Providers were initially allowed to use other temperature monitoring devices due to a shortage of DDLs; however, the supply chain issues have been mostly resolved. DDLs are the gold standard for monitoring storage temperatures for all vaccines. The expectation is that all provider locations where COVID-19 vaccine is stored or administered, including during transport, have and appropriately use DDLs. Refer to the CDC: Vaccines Storage and Handling Toolkit for further details. 

Find previous bulletins at COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates.