COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 08/04/2022 07:10 AM CDT
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COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

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Minnesota Department of Health

August 4, 2022

 

Catch-up children on vaccines

Don’t miss an opportunity to vaccinate! Many children are behind in their routine vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the start of school and flu season fast approaching, now is a good time to start preparing for co-administering all recommended childhood vaccines. CDC recommends administering COVID-19 and other vaccines on the same day for children 6 months and older. 

Look up the patient’s record in Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) to determine if they are due for any age-appropriate doses of vaccine. If your clinic provides these routine vaccinations, administer all doses that are due or overdue. If your site only administers COVID-19 and/or flu, let parents/guardians know their child is due for other vaccinations and the importance of getting vaccinated. Connect them with a community health center if they do not have a primary care provider. For a list of community health centers in Minnesota, visit Health Centers. Or refer them to the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program. MnVFC locations can be found here: Vaccination Clinic Web Map. Learn more at Free or Low-Cost Shots for Children. 

Pfizer vaccine expiration tool

Pfizer has launched a new expiration tool. To find the expiration date for any Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine enter the lot number found on the vial or carton at Expiry Checker: Pfizer COVID Vaccine.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trainings

Novavax is hosting webinars/office hours to give details on the vaccine and answer questions.  Providers are encouraged to have all staff involved in vaccine administration and handling of Novavax attend these trainings. Register at Meeting Registration: Novavax Office Hours. 

Office hours dates and times: 

  • Aug. 9 at 11:30 a.m.  
  • Aug. 11 at 11:30 a.m. 
  • Aug. 16 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 18 at 1:00 p.m.

Please update information on Minnesota Find My Vaccine Map

We strongly encourage you to use the provider site intake form to update the vaccines offered at your site on Find COVID-19 Vaccine Locations. Options will include specific age groups you serve, based on your provider type. 

Questions on the Find My Vaccine map can be directed to Julie Viken at julie.viken@state.mn.us or Anthony Jumelles at anthony.jumelles.c19@state.mn.us.

Using MIIC for vaccine reminders and outreach

The MIIC Client Follow-Up tool can identify cohorts of clients who are recommended or overdue for immunizations, including COVID-19. Users can customize their follow-up cohorts by selecting a specific age range, specific vaccine(s) of interest, or vaccine status (recommended or overdue). Client Follow-Up cohorts can be generated from clients associated with the user’s organization/county or from a list of specific clients already saved in MIIC.

Client Follow-Up cohorts can be used to send reminders to clients recommended or overdue for selected vaccines. Please review the Client Follow-Up MIIC User Guidance and Training Resources webpage for more information on Client Follow-Up. If you have any questions, please contact the MIIC Help Desk at health.miichelp@state.mn.us.

Find previous bulletins at COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates.