The federal government has purchased limited quantities of gray cap Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine in single dose vials. These doses will be prioritized for smaller-volume clinics and sites in greater Minnesota. We encourage careful inventory control to prevent wastage of these SDVs. Supply of this presentation will be limited until the beginning of 2023.

Important information: 

• Only 50 doses can be ordered at a time. You must demonstrate that you are administering the product before ordering more. 
• This is the same vaccine as the Pfizer gray cap bivalent vaccine with the same storage and handling requirements.  
• Consider using hubs with ultra-cold freezers to redistribute to smaller sites or sharing orders with several sites to avoid wasting doses due to 10-week refrigerator storage. 
• No ancillary kits will be shipped with the single dose vials. 
• MIIC special event ordering will open on Nov. 21. 
• Orders will be placed on Nov. 28, for shipping after the Thanksgiving holiday. 
• Please use your multi-dose vials (MDV) up before using SDV. We have plenty of MDVs and want to use them before they expire. 

Many long-term care (LTC) settings provide care to older adults with underlying medical conditions, often living closely together. These medical conditions and living situations can make residents more likely to be infected by the virus that causes COVID-19. This makes vaccination even more important for preventing severe illness, but vaccination rates for updated bivalent boosters remain low.

CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get vaccinated for COVID-19, and everyone age 5 years and older should get an updated bivalent booster if eligible. This includes people living in LTC settings. Refer to: Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for further details. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and provide the best protection against becoming seriously ill.

Consider providing information to residents to educate them on why the updated bivalent booster is important to get. Visit Why You Should Get an Updated (Bivalent) Booster for more information. The MDH LTC Battle Plan team can assist facilities in need of support in providing residents with both COVID-19 primary series and updated booster vaccines, even if you have cases in the facility. For support, complete this form: MDH LTC COVID Booster Assistance Needed.

In addition to COVID-19, influenza activity is on the rise in Minnesota. Make sure your staff and residents are protected with the flu vaccine!