CDC Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5-11
On October 19th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 5 to 11 years of age.
On November 2nd, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended that children in that age range be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine. CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, has endorsed that recommendation.
At this time, providers may begin administration of the vaccine to children 5 to 11 years of age.
Please keep in mind: Pfizer’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine is a different product than its vaccine for adolescents and adults. The pediatric vaccine is a multiple dose vial with an orange cap, and it requires dilution. It is administered via intramuscular injection as a series of two doses (0.2 mL per dose after dilution) three weeks apart. The adolescent/adult Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is supplied with a purple cap and must not be used to vaccinate individuals five to 11 years of age.
For additional resources, please review the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 5-11 years of age, orange cap Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 5-11 years of age, orange cap Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.
DSHS’ November 4th Special Webinar: Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 Years of Age
On November 4th, DSHS hosted a special webinar focused on pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 years of age. The webinar informed providers about the guidance for the recently approved Pfizer pediatric vaccine. DSHS experts also answered questions regarding administration, storage and handling, and much more.
You review the recording and access presentation materials here.
Update Your Primary and Backup Coordinator’s Contact Information in VAOS
Please remember to keep your contact information up to date for your VAOS account, so that our team can contact you. Providers can find who they have listed as their primary and backup coordinators by selecting the “account” module from the VAOS homepage, then their account name, and then by looking under the “related persons” tab.
You can update your primary and backup coordinator’s contact information by emailing COVID19VacEnroll@dshs.texas.gov or calling (833) 832-7068 (Option 1).
Reporting Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Full/Half Dose Waste
COVID-19 vaccine wastage should be reported only as whole doses. Each dose administered, whether it is a half dose or a full dose, counts against the total possible wastage of 10 doses (for Moderna-10) or 14 doses (for Moderna-14). Once 10 or 14 administrations occur in any combination of dose sizes from a single vial, no wastage should be reported.
Please review our Moderna Wastage Table for further guidance.
For questions, please contact us by email at COVID19VacShipments@dshs.Texas.gov or by phone at (833) 832-7068, Option 2.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Ordering Update
In the next two weeks, expect all Pfizer 5-11 pediatric vaccine order requests placed between 10/20 8:30AM CT and 10/26 8:00AM CT to be delivered.
Providers may continue to place requests for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5-11 in VAOS.
Providers may now order the new pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in 1-vial increments (10 doses per vial). However, please expect a delay in receiving doses as these orders will not ship until after the initial pre-orders are sent out.
Smaller quantity orders will be delivered by the State shipping partner, Cold Chain Technologies.
For questions, please contact us by email at COVID19VacShipments@dshs.Texas.gov or by phone at (833) 832-7068, Option 2.
Moderna COVID-19 Ancillary Kits
All order requests for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved after 10:15 AM ET (9:15 AM CT) on October 22nd will receive double ancillary supplies with each order. The purpose of this modification is to support booster half dose administration.
Orders created prior to that time, even if they have not yet been delivered, will contain a 1:1 ratio of vaccine to ancillary supplies.
Expert Tip: New Job Aids
New job aids are now available to help improve the provider ordering and vaccine management experience. The first is the VAOS Tips & Tricks job aid, which includes important reminders to keep in mind when using VAOS. The second is the Moderna Wastage Table which may be used to help calculate the number of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses to report as waste in VAOS.
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