Both the Moderna-EUA and Spikevax-BLA red cap products for people 12 years and older are now available for ordering in MIIC. An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is used in public health emergencies when a product is shown to likely work and is safe but hasn't yet gone through the whole process of FDA licensure, and no other remedy is available. In contrast, a biologics license application (BLA) is the FDA’s standard “full approval” mechanism for biologic products, including vaccines. The vial contents of Moderna-EUA and Spikevax-BLA are identical and interchangeable but have different labels due to going through different FDA approval processes.

Refer to FDA: Spikevax and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. To continue receiving the Moderna EUA product, order the vaccine titled “MODERNA  EUA – Red Cap.” To order the Moderna BLA product, order the vaccine titled “MODERNABLA – Red Cap.” Our team recommends only having one of these vaccine products in inventory at a time to minimize errors associated with calculation of expiration/beyond use dates (BUDs).

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)! It is an annual observance to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages, especially children. Encouraging routine childhood vaccinations and doing what you can to get kids caught up on all recommended vaccines, particularly before the start of a new school year, is an important way to protect children’s health. Childhood and adolescent vaccination rates for routine vaccinations have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to get all kids back on track, we not only need to make sure kids due for vaccines are scheduled for appointments but make sure we reach out to families with kids who are overdue for vaccines.

Health care and public health partners play an important role in catching children up on vaccines they need to prevent future outbreaks of COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Childhood diseases, such as measles and polio, that were once common are rarely seen in the U.S. today because of the success of vaccinations, but diseases like measles, whooping cough, and others are extremely contagious and can be very serious. If children fall behind on vaccines, these diseases could make a comeback. 

Get children up to date on the vaccines they missed before the school year begins including the COVID-19 vaccine and continue to identify and schedule patients that are due or overdue for recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccine. MDH developed this resource to help providers connect with parents and families regarding the importance of well-child checks and vaccination. Visit Well-child Visits and Immunization for more information and a half page flyer to distribute at your site.