Pfizer 300 COVID-19 Gray Cap Vaccine Now Available for Ordering in VAOS
As of today, December 23rd, the new Pfizer 300 COVID-19 gray cap vaccine is available for ordering in the Vaccine Allocation & Ordering System (VAOS), replacing Pfizer 1170 COVID-19 purple cap vaccine.
Providers should continue to use the purple cap vaccine they have on hand. When they have less than a one-month supply remaining, they may begin ordering the gray cap vaccine.
To avoid errors while both products are in circulation, please do not use the gray cap and purple cap vaccines at the same time.
For more information detailing the availability of Pfizer COVID-19 gray cap vaccine, please refer to DSHS’ December 10th email, titled “Updates on Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters, Ordering.”
Please contact the VacShipments team by phone at (833) 832-7068, option 2 or by email at COVID19VacShipments@dshs.Texas.gov with any questions related to ordering COVID-19 vaccine in VAOS.
CDC Endorses ACIP’s Preference for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
On December 16th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) of a preference for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for all adults.
With this recommendation, providers are encouraged to maintain adequate stock levels of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to give initial shots and booster doses to all eligible individuals.
The ACIP reaffirmed that receiving any vaccine is better than being unvaccinated, and the J&J vaccine remains available for use. Providers should continue to administer it to those who specifically request it.
For more information, please review DSHS’ December 17th email, titled “CDC Recommends Preference for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines” and the CDC’s media statement, “CDC Endorses ACIP’s Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations.”
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Extension (Orange Cap, Gray Cap)
FDA has approved a shelf-life extension for the Pfizer Pediatric vaccine (orange cap, 5-11 years old, diluent required) and the soon to be available Adol/Adult Tris (gray cap, age 12+, no diluent). This approval may be found at Healthcare Providers for 5-11 years of age, orange cap (must dilute) (fda.gov) ; Healthcare Providers for 12 years of age and older, gray cap (no dilution) (fda.gov) and takes effect immediately. This extension applies to frozen (ultra-low temperature) inventories only.
The date printed on the Pfizer Pediatric (orange cap) and Adult/Adolescent (gray cap, 12+, no diluent) vaccine vials indicate the manufacture date and NOT the expiration date.
Originally, the expiration date was 6 months from the manufacture date. The expiration date for Pfizer orange and gray cap vaccine has now been extended to 9 months (while held at ultra-low temperature frozen).
The Fact Sheets for both orange cap and gray cap vials provided by the FDA now read, “regardless of storage conditions, vaccines should not be used after 9 months from the date of manufacture printed on the vial and cartons”.
If you have questions about this expiration extension, please reach out to the manufacturer directly by phone at 800-438-1985 or by email at pfizermedicalinformation@pfizer.com.
Texas Vaccine Providers Webinar Holiday Schedule
Due to the upcoming holidays, there will be no Texas Vaccine Providers Webinars held on December 28th. Weekly webinars will resume on Wednesday, January 5th. Beginning the following Tuesday, January 11th, webinars will once again be held every Tuesday. Providers can expect to receive a written communication featuring COVID-19 updates and helpful reminders on December 28th in lieu of a webinar.
To review past Texas Vaccine Providers Webinars, including recordings, slides, and highlights, please visit DSHS’ COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Webinars webpage.
Newsletter Publication Update
In observance of the upcoming holidays, we will not be publishing a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Weekly News Digest next week. Please monitor your inbox for our next newsletter, which will be published and distributed on Friday, January 7th. We appreciate your readership and wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday!
Reminder: COVID-19 Vaccine Holiday Delivery Schedules
Please review the two tables below for information on the Christmas and New Year’s adjusted delivery schedules.
Christmas Delivery Schedule
 New Year’s Delivery Schedule
 Please note that there will be no deliveries of full pack size orders from Pfizer or McKesson Specialty from December 23rd to December 27th. Orders placed after 5pm on Friday, December 17th will be delivered starting Tuesday, December 28th in the order in which they were received.
Additionally, there will be no deliveries of full pack size orders from Pfizer or McKesson Specialty from December 30th to January 3rd.
From December 20th to January 2nd, the state’s delivery partner, Cold Chain Technologies (CCT), will only deliver less than full pack size orders on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If your facility will be closed or otherwise unable to receive shipments on those dates, please notify COVID19VacShipments@dshs.Texas.gov in a timely manner.
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