Stay Diligent in Promoting COVID-19 Second Doses
DSHS wants to continue to remind all providers to follow up with clients/patients who are due for their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to ensure they have every opportunity to receive it timely. If you don’t have a reminder system set up, you’re welcome to use the Reminder/Recall feature included in ImmTrac2. For guidance on how to generate a reminder/recall notice, review this PDF or follow along with the video.
Catch-up on Back to School Vaccines
COVID-19 disrupted both in-person learning and routine well-child visits for many children over the last year. As a result, too many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines.
Emphasize to parents the importance of their child’s vaccination schedules and encourage them to visit Why Vaccinate (CDC). Review the following pages for back-to-school required vaccines: Child-Care Facilities, Schools K-12, College Entry. COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered without regard to timing. For more information, review the CDC’s guidance for COVID Coadministration and for Multiple Vaccines at Once.
Update to COVID-19 Vaccine Shipping Process
Texas is continually working to ensure we get vaccines to every provider that needs it, regardless of the location or dose amounts. Moving forward, all vaccine orders smaller than minimum pack sizes for providers in rural or non-major metropolitan areas will be shipped and delivered via UPS in verified shippers.
You will receive an email confirmation if your order is to be shipped via UPS and when to expect it. Please do not reject those shipments; you must sign for and accept those shipments. If you have any questions or concerns, please email COVID19VacShipments@dshs.texas.gov.
Return Pfizer COVID-19 Thermal Shippers
Providers, please return the thermal shippers you received with your Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine orders as soon as possible. Thermal shipping containers may be used as temporary storage for up to 30 days from delivery. After use, the thermal shipping container, including the temperature-monitoring device, must be returned to the supplier to help Pfizer fulfill its commitment to reusable resources.
Do not return any vaccine products – ensure the shipper is empty when preparing it for a return. If you have any questions on how to return your thermal shipper, you can review the Return Instructions (PDF), or visit Product Storage and Dry Ice for more information.
FDA Extends J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Shelf Life
On July 28, 2021, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an extension of the shelf life for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from 4.5 months to 6 months. The decision is based on data from ongoing stability assessment studies, which have demonstrated that the vaccine is stable at 6 months when refrigerated at temperatures of 36°-46° Fahrenheit (2°-8° Celsius).
DSHS strongly encourages providers to confirm the most current expiration dates of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine here: http://www.vaxcheck.jnj, or by contacting their Medical Information line at 1-800-565-4008.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Expiring Notification
Orders for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine will be delivered from the Texas state stock. Pfizer doses will have any of the following lot numbers set to expire on August 31st: EW0175, EW0185, EW0186, EW0169, EW0175.
Prior to ordering these Pfizer vaccines, consider if you will be able to utilize those doses by the expiration date. Reconfirm with the manufacturer the expiration date prior to disposing any vaccine (Pfizer Medical Info Number: 800-438-1985). Remember to report all waste for any COVID-19 vaccine within VAOS.
Changes to COVID-19 Order Size (Pfizer and Moderna)
Effective July 29, 2021, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will only be available in 450-dose pack size, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will only be available in 140-dose pack size.
Providers can continue to place orders in the smallest quantity needed in 1-vial increments (6 dose/vial for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and 13-14 dose/vial for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine).
If you have questions, please contact COVID19VacShipments@dshs.texas.gov.
Expert Tip: Vaccination Toolkits
Get audience-specific toolkits that will allow you and your health care team to build vaccination confidence in your community by visiting the CDC’s Planning Guides and Toolkits for Partners and Community Clinics. Additionally, DSHS has a Social Media Toolkit that features messages and graphics to support providers and their community members in their decision to get vaccinated.
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