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 5 AND UP

• General Updates
• Clinical Updates
• Training and Events
• Additional Resources

General Updates

MORE THAN 129,000 KIDS AGES 5-11 RECEIVE FIRST DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE IN LESS THAN A MONTH

MÁS DE 129,000 NIÑOS DE 5 A 11 AÑOS RECIBEN LA PRIMERA DOSIS DE LA VACUNA CONTRA LA COVID-19 EN MENOS DE UN MES

Across the state, more than 129,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine since eligibility expanded to include younger kids Nov. 3. Vaccinating children is a crucial step forward as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic.

Getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 can help lower their risk of infection, reduce their chance of getting seriously ill, and decrease their chance of hospitalization and death. While current overall vaccination numbers are encouraging, there are areas across the state with lower vaccination rates that have increased risk. Pediatric vaccination rates range from nearly 26% in Puget Sound to less than 8% in the South Central and North Central regions.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 13 children and teens age 18 and younger in Washington. Vaccination is especially important for children with chronic health conditions that increase the risk of severe disease. Data reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the pediatric vaccine to be safe and more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease.

Read the full news release here.

En todo el estado, más de 129,000 niños de 5 a 11 años han recibido su primera dosis de la vacuna pediátrica de Pfizer-BioNTech desde que se amplió la elegibilidad para incluir a los niños más pequeños el 3 de noviembre. La vacunación de los niños es un paso crucial para detener la propagación de la COVID-19 y acabar con la pandemia.

Vacunar a los niños contra la COVID-19 puede ayudar a disminuir su riesgo de infección y reducir la posibilidad de que se enfermen gravemente, requieran hospitalización o mueran. Aunque las cifras globales de vacunación actuales son alentadoras, hay zonas en todo el estado con tasas de vacunación más bajas que presentan un mayor riesgo. Las tasas de vacunación pediátrica oscilan entre casi el 26 % en Puget Sound y menos del 8 % en las regiones centro-sur y centro-norte.

Desde el comienzo de la pandemia, la COVID-19 se ha cobrado la vida de 13 niños y adolescentes de 18 años o menos en Washington. La vacunación es especialmente importante para los niños con problemas de salud crónicos que aumentan el riesgo de enfermedades graves. Los datos revisados por la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE. UU. determinaron que la vacuna pediátrica es segura y que tiene una eficacia superior al 90 % en la prevención de la enfermedad por COVID-19.

Leer el artículo en español.

DOUBLE UP YOUR PROTECTION

As we greet the holiday season, we must also prepare for the return of an unwelcome visitor. Flu season is here. While influenza (flu) viruses can spread year-round, activity typically peaks between December and February.

Cases of the flu were unusually low last year, especially here in Washington. Hospitals saw fewer visits for suspected flu illness, and very few positive cases were reported. That’s partially because a lot of people got their flu vaccines. But it was also because we were under strict COVID-19 safety precautions, and people had less contact with each other.

Some COVID-19 restrictions have since lifted, which is expected to bring an increase in flu cases (more like a traditional flu season).

With COVID-19 still here, and flu picking up, how can we prepare to tackle two viruses at once? Read on for our tips for doubling up your protection this season.

Leer el artículo en español.

ONE YEAR LATER, MILLIONS USE WASHINGTON STATE'S EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION APP

UN AÑO DESPUÉS, MILLONES DE PERSONAS UTILIZAN LA APLICACIÓN DE NOTIFICACIONES DE EXPOSICIÓN DEL ESTADO DE WASHINGTON

The Washington State Department of Health is celebrating a successful year of WA Notify, the state’s exposure notification app. More than 2.62 million people have enabled it— accounting for more than 43 percent of all smartphone users in the state.

With disease transmission still high, it’s important that people continue adopting this key technology.

WA Notify protects the privacy of its users while giving them the power to protect their health and the health of their communities, without collecting data about who the users are, where they go, or who they are near. The app uses privacy-preserving technology jointly developed by Google and Apple, with technical assistance and evaluation by the University of Washington. It works in the background and uses only tiny bursts of Bluetooth to avoid impacting your battery – and it’s free.

Read the full news release in English.

El Departamento de Salud (DOH, por su sigla en inglés) del estado de Washington celebra un año de éxito de WA Notify, la aplicación estatal de notificaciones de exposición. Más de 2.62 millones de personas la han habilitado, lo que supone más del 43 % de todos los usuarios de teléfonos inteligentes del estado.

Dado que la transmisión de la enfermedad sigue siendo alta, es importante que la gente siga adoptando esta tecnología clave.

WA Notify protege la privacidad de sus usuarios a la vez que les da la capacidad de proteger su salud y la de sus comunidades, sin recopilar datos sobre quiénes son los usuarios, dónde van o a quiénes se acercan. La aplicación utiliza una tecnología para mantener la privacidad desarrollada conjuntamente por Google y Apple, con la asistencia técnica y la supervisión de la Universidad de Washington. Además, funciona en segundo plano y solo utiliza bluetooth por períodos breves para no afectar el uso de la batería, y es gratis.

Leer el artículo en español.

DOH LAUNCHES WA VERIFY: STATE'S NEW DIGITAL COVID-19 VERIFICATION RECORD SYSTEM

DOH LANZA VERIFICA WA: EL NUEVO SISTEMA ESTATAL DE REGISTRO DIGITAL DE VERIFICACIÓN DE LA COVID-19

As the need for COVID-19 vaccine verification increases across the state, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wants to ensure people are prepared and know how to prove their vaccination status when it is required. Vaccine verification options now include QR code functionality through WA Verify, the state’s new Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record system.

Currently, there are several forms of proof people can use to verify their vaccination status:

• Original, copy, or photo of your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
• Verified electronic medical record printout from your medical provider
• Your record from the state’s immunization information system.

Depending on the establishment, some places may only accept one specific type of vaccine verification, so it is important to check ahead of time.

Realizing the overarching need for QR code functionality as a necessity for quick and easy vaccine verification, DOH’s Office of Innovation and Technology, working closely with partners at MITRE, Microsoft, and the state of California, stood up WA Verify.

Read the full news release here.

A medida que aumenta la necesidad de verificar las vacunas contra la COVID-19 en todo el estado, el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington (DOH, por su sigla en inglés) busca asegurarse de que las personas estén preparadas y sepan cómo demostrar su estado de vacunación cuando sea necesario. Las opciones de verificación de vacunas ahora incluyen una funcionalidad con código QR en Verifica WA, el nuevo sistema estatal de registro digital de vacunas contra la COVID-19.

Actualmente, existen varios tipos de certificados (solo en inglés) que pueden usar las personas para verificar su estado de vacunación:

• Original, copia o foto de la tarjeta de registro de vacunación contra la COVID-19 de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por su sigla en inglés)
• Copia impresa del historial clínico electrónico verificado de su proveedor de salud
• Registro personal del sistema informático de vacunación del estado.

Según el establecimiento, es posible que algunos lugares únicamente acepten un solo tipo de verificación de vacunas, de modo que resulta importante consultar de antemano.

Al percibir la amplia demanda de la funcionalidad del código QR como una necesidad para verificar las vacunas de forma rápida y fácil, la Oficina de Innovación y Tecnología del DOH, en estrecha colaboración con los socios de MITRE, Microsoft y el estado de California, puso a disposición Verifica WA.

Leer el artículo en español.

LLEGÓ EL MOMENTO DE VACUNAR A SUS HIJOS

Muchos adultos y niños mayores ya han recibido la vacuna contra el COVID-19. De hecho, ya se han administrado más de 10 millones de dosis en todo el estado de Washington. Pero muchos niños pequeños de edad escolar, han estado esperando ansiosamente y pidiendo su turno para recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19.

Este virus es todavía una seria amenaza para nuestra comunidad, y ahora es el momento de extender la protección de la vacuna a nuestros niños más pequeños. Afortunadamente, la vacuna Pfizer contra el COVID-19 ya está disponible para los niños mayores de 5 años de edad.

Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) recomiendan que todas las personas mayores de 5 años reciban la vacuna contra el COVID-19. Una razón: las nuevas variantes del COVID-19 son más peligrosas y contagiosas para los niños que las originales. Aunque el COVID-19 suele ser más leve en los niños que en los adultos, los niños aún pueden enfermarse gravemente y contagiar a amigos y familiares vulnerables. Los niños también pueden tener complicaciones con el COVID-19 que afecten su salud, como el Síndrome Inflamatorio Multisistémico Infantil (MIS-C). La vacunación es la mejor manera de proteger a su hijo y a quienes cuidan de ellos contra el COVID-19.

Leer el artículo en español.

Clinical Updates

POWER OF PROVIDERS MAILING ERROR

Dear Health Care Providers,

The Department of Health (DOH) recently mailed out personalized letters to selected providers encouraging their commitment to the Power of Providers (POP) initiative. This initiative requests providers to seek patients’ vaccination status, ask them about the vaccine and offer education, provide vaccination or a vaccine referral, and empower patients to share their vaccination status. Upon mailing, we realized there was a data error that caused some letters to be sent to incorrect addresses. Please disregard any mailings sent to you or your facility that have an incorrect provider listed.

POP Initiative Invitation Letter for Vaccinating Providers

POP Initiative Invitation Letter for Non-Vaccinating Providers

We’ve received calls inquiring if this is fraud or a legitimate mailing and we want to assure you this mailing came directly from DOH. Contact information was obtained through the provider credentialing system maintained by our credentialing division. These mailings do not contain confidential information and you do not need to return to sender.

We sincerely apologize for the data error and any confusion this has caused. If you have any questions or concerns please contact COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

If you are interested in learning more about the POP initiative or signing up, please visit www.doh.wa.gov/POP

UPDATES FOR PREPMOD- SYSTEM UPDATES

COVID-19 vaccine providers may be interested to learn of some system updates to the PrepMod system. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years of age has been added to the vaccinations dropdown list in PrepMod. If the “Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine (ages 5-11)” dropdown is selected, this will display under the “Vaccine Offered” field for clinics. This allows parents and guardians to search for vaccine clinics offering specific vaccine brands and age ranges.

The new “age range” feature on the clinic creation screen allows PrepMod sites to set a minimum and maximum age range for patient registrations. It is important that sites use the age range function for their clinics to ensure that only qualified age ranges are allowed to register. This will help clinics avoid confusion with multiple Pfizer products.

If you have any questions, please contact the PrepMod support team: prepmod@doh.wa.gov.

IAC "ASK THE EXPERTS:COVID-19" PAGE UPDATED

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) fully updated its Ask the Experts: COVID-19 web page to reflect the latest decisions of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines. “Ask the Experts” now includes these topics:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (age 5 through 11 years, “orange cap”)
• COVID-19 vaccination of children age 5 through 11 years
• Current booster dose recommendations for all adults age 18 and older
• CDC Emergency Use Instructions (EUI) for certain recipients of vaccines not authorized by FDA

VACCINE ORDERING AND BOOSTER REMINDERS

On December 19, 2021 the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded the recommendation for a booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine to everyone 18 years and older who received a complete series 6 months prior. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has noticed an increase in ordering due to the approval of boosters.

As a reminder, the dosage for Moderna booster administration is half of what would have been administered in a primary series. Therefore, providers are now able to administer 20 booster doses from one Moderna 10 Vial. Please ensure this is taken into account when planning clinics and ordering vaccine from the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS).

Additionally, the administration of booster doses allows for the mixing of products. Individuals who competed an initial series of any presentation of the COVID-19 Vaccine are elidable to receive a Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen booster dose.

The next allotment of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine will be awarded to DOH in the evening on December 9^th. At this time, we do not know how many doses we will be receiving and may need to reduce orders. Please ensure orders are submitted based on current demand for your facility.

There are a significant number of lots of Moderna vaccine with healthcare providers that will be expiring in January. Now is the time to consider how your inventory management can help to reduce the loss of vaccine due to expiration. Order what you believe you need and be sure to use your current inventory. Review the Vaccine Advertisement Page in the WAIIS before placing new orders. Prior to approving orders, DOH will be reviewing the vaccine advertisement page and may redirect requests.

Additionally, please remember to check the Moderna Look Up Tool for updates to lot expiry and adjust your product management accordingly.

The Vaccine Order and Distribution Team will review and approve submitted orders twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays. Ordering will remain on for Pfizer (12+), Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine. This process will ensure there is adequate supply of vaccine available for all orders that have been placed.

If there are any questions, please email COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

HOLIDAY VACCINE ORDERING AND HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

While we await final approval of the upcoming holiday ordering and delivery schedule, we want to help you plan around suspended vaccine delivery dates over Christmas and New Year’s holiday.  

We anticipate there will be no deliveries on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.  

There will be a cut-off date for vaccine ordering before Christmas and for New Year’s holiday.   

As soon as the final holiday ordering and delivery schedule is approved, we will post it here in the newsletter.

Training and Events

PROVIDER BILLING FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION AND COUNSELING

Join the Department of Health during our next COVID-19 partner call on December 7th as colleagues from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner present about provider billing and reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 vaccine counseling.

We strongly encourage you to invite your colleagues that work in billing. If you have issues registering for the webinar, please email COVID.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM PT
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Register here

HELPING PROVIDERS HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FAMILIES AROUND COVID-19 VACCINATION

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is hosting a webinar targeted towards healthcare providers on Monday, December 13, 2021, to share helpful information on talking to families about COVID-19 vaccination.

The department is having two doctors present on the topic:

Gretchen LaSalle, MD FAAFP, a board certified family physician and Associate Clinical Professor at Washington State University

Anisa Ibrahim, MD, University of Washington Clinic Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Medical Director at Harborview Pediatrics Clinic.

We look forward to seeing you there!

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT
Monday, December 13, 2021
Register here

Additional Resources

FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARES

• COVID-19 Vaccines: Pediatric Vaccine Toolkit for Schools (PowerPoint) - This toolkit provides a variety of resources for schools, including parent handouts, backpack stuffers, and sample communication.
• Symptom Decision Tree and Contact Tracing Checklist for K-12 Schools Updates include reference to updated quarantine recommendation, addition of contact tracing priority settings.
• Contact Tracing Guide and FAQ for K-12 Schools Updates include updated quarantine recommendation, reference on contact tracing priority settings.
• K-12  2021-2022 Requirements Updates include more details on contact tracing, requirements for quarantine and testing of close contacts, and requirements for performing arts performances and other school activities.
• K-12 Schools 2021-2022 Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission. Updates include classroom and school closure criteria, contact tracing in high priority settings, timelines for close contact testing, and technical clarifications on antigen testing for Test to Stay programs and performing arts/sporting activities screening testing.
• Secretary of Health’s Mask Order FAQ, to align with a technical update to the secretary’s order related to athletes and coaches at large outdoor gatherings.

School and child care guidance can be found on the Department of Health web page here.

FOR LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES

• LTCF Testing Guidance includes more information on testing beyond routine testing. testing topics for identified COVID-19 cases, and CLIA waivers and reporting results.
• Transfer guidance includes additional information for transfers, including guidance on fully vaccinated residents.
• LTCF Cohorting guidance/isolation/quarantine guidance created for LTCF cohorting and I&Q with up-to-date recommendations.
• What to do if you identify a COVID-19 case in your Long-term Care Facility (wa.gov) – This is new guidance for the long-term care setting that provides a suggested framework for responding to COVID-19 in a long-term care facility.
• L&I and DOH Respirator and PPE for In-Home Care Agencies: Employer responsibilities for respiratory protection program and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) (wa.gov) – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.
• L&I and DOH Respirator and PPE Guidance for Long-Term Care: Employer responsibilities for respiratory protection program and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) (wa.gov) – – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.
• LTCF Visitor Announcement Sign – Removed information about the Governor’s proclamation and visitation rules for unvaccinated residents.
• Visitor Log – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.
• LTCF Outdoor Visits – – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.
• What to Do If You Identify a COVID-19 Case in Your Hospital – New guidance for the hospital setting that provides a suggested framework for responding to COVID-19 in a hospital facility.
• LTCF risk assessment community visit – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.
• Interim Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Source Control in Health Care Settings – Updates to quarantine for fully-vaccinated exposed residents.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER

If you aren't already signed up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter, please visit the Department of Health's email subscribers page here. Once you enter your email, on the next page expand the Immunization topic, select the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter, and hit submit.

This newsletter summarizes content from the week of Month X, 2021 and was sent out on Month X, 2021.