COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 04/20/2023 04:58 PM CDT
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COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

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April 20, 2023

 

CDC recommends changes to simplify use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccines be used for all doses administered to people 6 months of age and older including an additional dose or doses for certain populations. The monovalent Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines can no longer be used. 

  • Most unvaccinated people should receive a single dose of a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccines.  
  • For people previously vaccinated with a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine, who have not yet received a dose of a bivalent vaccine, a single dose of a bivalent vaccine is recommended. 
  • People 65 years of age and older who have received a single dose of a bivalent vaccine may receive one additional dose at least four months following their initial bivalent dose.  
  • People with certain immunocompromised conditions who have received a bivalent vaccine may receive a single additional dose of a bivalent vaccine at least 2 months apart.  
  • Additional doses may be administered at the discretion of, and at intervals determined by, their health care provider. 

The FDA EUA fact sheets for health care providers and recipients and caregivers have been updated and can be found at Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines. The MDH Provider Guide and protocols will be posted once the CDC Interim Clinical Considerations: Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States have been updated and can be found at COVID-19 Vaccine Providers. 

Please note that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) is expected to end May 11. Currently there are no changes to the access to or coverage for COVID-19 vaccines.  

For clinical vaccine questions, remember to use the new health.vaccineSME@state.mn.us inbox. 

Changes to MIIC forecaster

In line with the new CDC recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine, MIIC staff are reviewing the MIIC forecaster logic that defines when clients are due or overdue for vaccine. Please continue to use clinical judgement and the CDC Interim Clinical Considerations: Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States to inform decisions for immunization.

Vaccine wastage and reporting

Now that monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized, providers must dispose of all monovalent mRNA vaccines as medical waste and report them as nonviable in MIIC. Refer to Reporting Nonviable MDH Vaccine to MIIC for further details and guidance. Please ensure that all previously wasted vaccine has been properly recorded in MIIC.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine interactive office hours

Moderna is hosting interactive office hours to provide details on the most recent bivalent EUA authorization. Content will include simplified dosing schedules, ACIP recommendations, storage and handling, and live Q&A. Register at Regional Medical Affairs Office Hours: Revised Dosing Schedules for Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine, Bivalent.  

Find previous bulletins at COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates.