COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 04/27/2023 08:52 AM CDT
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COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly Updates

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April 27, 2023

 

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children

The new recommendations for bivalent COVID-19 vaccination for younger children are complex. To assist, we put together a summary for those who are vaccinating children under 6 years of age.

Pfizer:

Children 6 months through 4 years of age:

  • Unvaccinated children: Three doses of bivalent vaccine with dose two given 3 to 8 weeks after dose one and dose three given 8 weeks after dose two.
  • Children who have had one dose of monovalent vaccine: Dose two of bivalent vaccine given 3 to 8 weeks after dose one and dose three given 8 weeks after dose two.
  • Children who have received two doses of monovalent vaccine: Dose three of bivalent vaccine given 8 weeks after dose two.
  • Children who completed the three dose primary series with all monovalent vaccine: A single booster dose of bivalent vaccine given at least 2 months after dose three.

Moderna:

Children 6 months through 5 years of age:

  • Unvaccinated children: Two doses, 0.25 mL each, of the bivalent vaccine in the vial with the dark blue cap and a label with gray border given 4 to 8 weeks apart.
  • Children who received one dose of monovalent vaccine: One dose (0.25 mL) of the bivalent vaccine in the vial with the dark blue cap and a label with gray border given 4 to 8 weeks after dose one.
  • Children who received two doses of monovalent vaccine: One booster dose (0.2 mL) of the bivalent vaccine in the vial with the dark pink cap and a label with a yellow border given at least 2 months after the second dose. Note: this is the only time the vial with the dark pink cap and a label with a yellow border is used. In all other situations, use the vial with the dark blue cap and a label with gray border.

CDC recommends that people age 6 months and older receive at least one bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Most people age 6 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised need one dose of bivalent vaccine to be up to date. Those who have received at least one dose of a bivalent mRNA vaccine do not need any further vaccine doses at this time. 

Refer to the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States for further details.

Monovalent mRNA disposal and reporting

All monovalent COVID-19 vaccines should be disposed as medical waste and reported as nonviable in MIIC. This will minimize the risk of errors as they are no longer authorized. Refer to Reporting Nonviable MDH Vaccine to MIIC for further details.

MIIC forecaster update

MIIC staff continue to implement changes to the MIIC forecaster logic to align with CDC’s updated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine. 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.

Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trainings

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine training now includes information on the authorization of the bivalent vaccine to be used for all doses administered to people 6 months of age and older. More information including links to attend can be found at Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 Vaccine Training Resources for All Healthcare Providers led by Pfizer Vaccines US Medical Affairs.

Moderna is offering a series of interactive office hours focusing on simplified dosing schedules for Moderna bivalent vaccine and other updates. Registration can be found at Regional Medical Affairs Office Hours: Revised Dosing Schedules for Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine, Bivalent.

Novavax hosts office hours each week beginning May 3. Register here for an upcoming session Meeting Registration: Novavax Office Hours.

Immunization Champion Award: Call for Nominations

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking nominations for an inspirational 2023 Immunization Champion for Minnesota. The Immunization Champion Award is a national award program hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and will honor one individual per jurisdiction doing exemplary work to foster and promote immunizations in any vaccine category for different age groups in their community. Please share this information with your network and eligible immunization partners.  

For eligibility requirements and to download the nomination packet visit AIM: 2023 Immunization Champion Awards (www.immunizationmanagers.org/resources/2023-immunization-champion-awards/). Nominations will be accepted until Friday, May 19. Completed nomination forms can be sent via email to melody.doan.contractor@state.mn.us. Self-nominations are welcome.  

Find previous bulletins at COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Updates.