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This weekly newsletter provides summarized content on COVID-19 vaccine related topics. This broad level of information is tailored towards health care professionals, partners, and the general public.
WASHINGTON COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS: ALL AGES 12 AND UP
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MODERNA FILES FOR EUA FOR ADOLESCENT COVID-19 VACCINATION
On June 10, 2021, Moderna, Inc. announced it requested an emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, the EUA would allow Moderna vaccination in people ages 12 and up.
The request comes after Moderna announced the results of their phase 2/3 adolescent study, where no cases of COVID-19 were observed in participants who received two doses of Mderna COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of side effects in participants were mild or moderate, with common events including injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle pain (myalgia) and chills. The study enrolled 3,732 participants ages 12 to 17 in the United States.
Read the full Moderna news release here.
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RESEARCHERS FROM UW AND DOH FIND WA NOTIFY EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION TOOL IS SAVING LIVES
Washington state’s COVID-19 exposure notification tool, WA Notify, saved an estimated 30 to 120 lives and likely prevented about 6,000 COVID-19 cases during the first four months that it was in use.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) conducted a modeling study of the free tool and released their results in a preprint version on June 7, 2021. Their analysis offers the first estimate of the public health value of Bluetooth exposure notification systems in the U.S.
More than two million people have enabled WA Notify since its launch on Nov. 30, 2020. The tool sends alerts to users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19. It works through smartphones without sharing any personal information. One third of all smartphone users in the state have activated WA Notify and Washington ranks highly compared with other states for adoption of the exposure notification tool.
Read the full news release in English and in Spanish.
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 TWO DOSES ARE KEY
Our COVID-19 vaccination numbers are rising every week! In fact, we already gave over 7 million doses in Washington, and thousands more are getting the vaccine every day. Thank you to those who are fully vaccinated. If you already got a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, it’s important to make sure you get your second one. Even though planning for it might add to your to-do list, please don’t skip it! You need both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get the best protection against COVID-19.
Need another reason to get both doses? As more people are fully vaccinated, we get closer to reopening Washington state. More than half of Washingtonians over 16 years are already fully vaccinated, and over 63% already got their first dose. If we can reach ideal vaccination rates, our communities will be safer and we can get back to doing some of the things we stopped because of the pandemic.
Read the full Department of Health blog post in English.
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VACCINATION HELPING TO CONTROL SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND NEEDS TO INCREASE
The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows continued declines in disease activity, with vaccination playing a key role. To keep trends on track, we need to keep increasing vaccination and continue preventive measures like wearing masks, maintaining distance and moving gatherings outside if you’re unvaccinated.
Report findings include:
- Statewide case counts and hospital admissions continued to decline as of May 20.
- Vaccination is protecting people from COVID-19 illness severe enough to require hospitalization.
- Increasing immunity from vaccination is playing an important role in reducing transmission.
- While vaccination has helped reduce the spread of the virus, the level of transmission was still fairly high as of mid-May.
- As of May 20, case rates were declining across all age groups except people ages 70 and older, among whom case rates have stayed mostly flat since March.
- The number of total hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is declining as of May 30.
Read the news release in English or in Spanish to get more details on the findings.
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DOH RECOGNIZES CHALLENGES WITH IMMUNIZATION RECORD CONFIRMATIONS
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recognizes many people have experienced challenges while trying to confirm their records were transmitted to the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS) and they are eligible for the “Shot of a Lifetime” lottery drawing. DOH also recognizes that many people were not able to verify their COVID-19 vaccine record in MyIR Mobile. However, the records have been transmitted to the WAIIS, which means DOH is able to access immunization data and will be able to pull winners from the pool of eligible vaccine recipients in the state.
In the meantime, people who have further questions about their eligibility should call the state’s vaccine hotline at 1-833-VAX HELP or visit the Washington Lottery web page.
Washington joins several other states in offering a vaccine lottery. Hitting the 70% statewide initiation of vaccination goal is an important component of our collective success against COVID-19, and we look forward to continued progress so we can restore our economy and get people back to living their normal lives.
Read the news release in English and in Spanish.
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 FREE YOUNG ADULT-THEMED STICKERS AVAILABLE TO ORDER
The Department of Health now has youth-inspired stickers available for order via an online portal. Stickers come in rolls of 100 and are currently available in English and Spanish. Each roll contains a mix of four designs with phrases such as “Vaccine Queen,” “Vaxxed to the Max,” Protects Me Protects You” and “Vaxxed.”
The latest collection of stickers is available free of charge for providers, businesses, community organizers, and vaccination clinics/sites. There are many other Vaccinate WA materials available to order on the online portal, including additional sticker design options. All items on the portal are free, courtesy of DOH..
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COVID-19 VACCINE PROVIDER REMINDER FOR ENTERING INFORMATION IN THE IIS
The Department of Health has recently received a lot of calls from vaccinated individuals who could not confirm their immunization records through MyIR Mobile because their phone or email information wasn't entered at the point of vaccination.
The Department of Health is encouraging vaccine providers to enter phones and email information for people receiving COVID-19 vaccine into the Immunization Information System. Entering this information will help people view their information in the IIS using MyIR Mobile.
Additionally, if your clinic times change for COVID-19 vaccine appointments, make sure you update that information in PrepMod/Vaccine Locator so people seeking vaccination can have the correct information.
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FDA AUTHORIZES LONGER SHELF LIFE FOR J&J COVID-19 VACCINE
On June 11, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an extension for the shelf life for the refrigerated Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine. The extension allows the product to be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius from 3 months to 4.5 months following a thorough review of data submitted by the company.
This authorization ensures doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine can remain in circulation, allowing for the availability of the vaccine as we continue to work toward an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care providers may check the expiration date by lot number at the company’s website https://vaxcheck.jnj/.
The letter issued by FDA can be found here.
Additional information can be found on the FDA's Expiration Dating Extension webpage here.
Read Johnson & Johnson's news release here.
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CMS BOOSTS PAYMENT FOR IN-HOME VACCINATIONS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing Medicare payments for administering in-home vaccinations, an effort to make the shot more accessible to the roughly 1.6 million older adults who have difficulty leaving their homes.
Medicare will pay an additional $35 per dose to providers who administer vaccines at home, totaling $75 per shot and a payment of $150 for a two-shot regiment.
The news follows reports that homebound people were often left behind during the push to get older Americans vaccinated earlier this year.
“We’re committed to taking action wherever barriers exist and bringing the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to the door of older adults and other individuals covered by Medicare who still need protection,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-Lasure said in a statement.
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GUIDANCE FOR COVID-19 ADMINISTRATION ERRORS
There are now three vaccines available to protect against COVID-19 disease. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for emergency use in 12 year olds and up, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for 18 year olds and up.
There have been reports of children receiving the wrong vaccine, as well as people receiving their booster dose too early or receiving a different vaccine for their booster than they did for their primary dose. There have also been situations where an expired vaccine was given or the dilution was not conducted appropriately for the Pfizer Vaccine.
All of these instances would be considered an administration error. The CDC has published an appendix to its “Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines” that covers next steps in the event an administration error is identified. Actions range from calling the manufacturer for further guidance, to repeating the dose, or not needing further action. Appendix A of the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of the COVID-19 Vaccines provides guidance on how to manage such instances.
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COVID-19 PROVIDER SITE VISITS
The DOH COVID-19 Vaccine Site Visit team is now reaching out to enrolled COVID-19 Providers to schedule site visits. The goal of these site visits will be to provide education and technical assistance for program requirements and recommendations.
All providers who currently have COVID-19 vaccine inventory should expect to participate in a site visit. The visits typically last 1-2 hours for providers who store and distribute vaccine and 2-3 hours for providers who store and administer vaccines. Site Visit topics will include:
- COVID-19 Vaccine screening and documentation
- Storage and Handling
- Vaccine Preparation and Administration
Please contact us at COVID.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov if you have any questions or concerns.
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Q: What should I do if I began my COVID-19 vaccination series out of country with a vaccine not currently recognized in the United States?
A: Many times, people are unable to complete their vaccination series in another country prior to returning to the U.S. This means it can be confusing or concerning on how to gain the best protection against COVID-19 infection while living in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides options in response to this issue. If you didn't complete a vaccination series while abroad, you may begin re-vaccination in the U.S. with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine series at least 28 days after your last dose of COVID-19 vaccination received abroad.
The CDC has more details for health care providers on how to manage patients who have been vaccinated overseas here.
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WHITE HOUSE TOWN HALL - PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS AND THE NEXT PHASE OF THE VACCINATION ROLLOUT
Public health leaders are invited to a virtual White House town hall on June 11 from 12-1 p.m. PT (3-4pm ET): Primary Care Providers, Health Systems, and the Next Phase of the Vaccination Rollout. The event is an opportunity to thank primary care providers for their service throughout the COVID-19 response, as well as discuss the future of the vaccination rollout. The event will feature five conversations with primary care providers and health officials on approaches they are taking to implement vaccination programs and educate patients.
12:00 - 1:00pm
Friday, June 11, 2021
Watch the live YouTube stream here
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 WEBINAR - GET READY: THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND YOUR KIDS
Join Washington health and education leaders for an insightful discussion about what you need to know about vaccinating your child. Speakers from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington State Department of Health, and Kaiser Permanente Washington will discuss vaccine safety and eligibility for kids and will share what families can expect for the coming school year.
ASL & Spanish interpretation will be provided. Submit your questions and register for the free webinar below.
6:00pm
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Register here
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COVID-19 VACCINE PROVIDER OPEN DOOR SESSIONS ENDING
The Department of Health is phasing out the “Vaccine Provider Open door” sessions on every other Thursday effective immediately. The department is transitioning to new and relevant recorded trainings that will be accessible at the providers’ convenience. If you have suggestions on training or support needed, please email your ideas to COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
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RESOURCES ON THE PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE 12-15 AGE EXPANSION
In response to the authorized of Pfizer COVID-19 to children ages 12-15, the CDC has developed several useful tools for parents and clinicians to utilize.
Information for healthcare and vaccine providers provides basic information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, consent and tools for communication to the community:
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This newsletter summarizes content from the week of June 6, 2021 and was sent out on June 11, 2021. |
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