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Minnesota Department of Health

January 26, 2023

• Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting
• Changeover to Pfizer biologics license application (BLA) vaccine for people age 12 and older after Jan. 30
• Parameters on ordering Pfizer bivalent for children 6 months through 4 years

Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) is meeting today, Jan. 26. The draft agenda, discussion topics, and link to watch the meeting are posted on the meeting announcement, FDA: January 26, 2023 VRBPAC Meeting Announcement. Topics include simplification of the COVID-19 vaccine schedule and future vaccine composition for the fall of 2023. Scientific discussion on these topics will help guide the transition of COVID-19 vaccine into the commercial vaccine market in the future. 

An update on the discussion will be summarized in next week’s bulletin.

Changeover to Pfizer biologics license application (BLA) vaccine for people age 12 and older after Jan. 30

Since Pfizer obtained FDA licensure in August 2021, both the COVID-19 vaccine approved under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and the biologics license application (BLA) have been available for the 12 and older age group. Beginning Jan. 30, the EUA vaccine for people age 12 and older will no longer be available for ordering. Pfizer 12+ BLA will still be available for ordering in MIIC. The vial contents of Pfizer-EUA and Pfizer-BLA are identical and interchangeable but have different labels due to going through different FDA approval processes.

Parameters on ordering Pfizer bivalent for children 6 months through 4 years

At the national level, there is a limited but adequate supply of Pfizer bivalent vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age that the U.S. government has purchased. To ensure adequate supply throughout the state of Minnesota, the maximum order quantity will be limited to 1,000 doses. We do not anticipate that the U.S. government will purchase more of this vaccine prior to commercialization. Once this source is depleted providers will need to purchase it on the private market. We expect it will be available through the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program for enrolled providers in the future.

Find previous bulletins at COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates.

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