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Welcome to the COVID-19 Vaccine Partner Newsletter! Here you'll find the latest news and information on COVID-19 vaccine related topics.
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Q: WHY IS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANT?
A: In honor of National Public Health Week, we'd like to thank all of you by honoring your commitment and dedication to protecting the health of Washingtonians.
Public health improves our quality of life, helps prevent disease, reduce health care costs, helps plan for emergencies, prepare for human-made and natural disasters, mitigate disease outbreaks, and much more. Public health is important because it affects all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, education levels and income levels, across our globe.
Public health work is rewarding, but challenging, and we hope you took some time to celebrate yourself and your colleagues this week.
Thank you for the work you do!
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 RISK OF CARDIAC COMPLICATIONS AFTER COVID-19 INFECTION VS COVID-19 VACCINATION
A study released by the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) last week found that the risk of cardiac complications is much higher after COVID-19 infection than after COVID-19 vaccination. This holds true for both males and females, across all age groups, and has been confirmed by analyzing data from 40 health care systems.
The findings support continued use of recommended mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among all eligible persons age 5 years and older.
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PROPOSED FUNDING FOR NEW VACCINES FOR ADULTS (VFA) PROGRAM
On March 28, 2022 President Biden released his FY 2023 budget proposal. It includes a proposed $343 million increase for the Section 317 Immunization Program and a proposed new Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. The proposal is modeled after the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and would be funded at over $2 billion dollars annually.
The Administration proposes this new VFA program “…to further expand access to all routine and outbreak vaccines to uninsured adults.” They further note, “Creating a Vaccines for Adults program would be a significant step toward filling existing gaps in vaccine coverage among US adults and provide sustained support for immunizations from year to year.”
The President’s Budget will be sent to Congress for their consideration; it will be up to Congress to authorize a Vaccine for Adults program and appropriate funds.
To learn more, you can read the congressional justification document.
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 EFFECTIVE ANTI-COVID DRUG AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS
April 4, 2022
OLYMPIA – Thousands of doses of a potentially life-saving COVID-19 drug are available in the state of Washington, and could potentially benefit those at highest risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) is a monoclonal antibody treatment that can provide protection against COVID-19. Provided via injection, it can be given to adults and children 12 years and older before infection with COVID-19. At present, those eligible to receive Evusheld include people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or have had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals interested in this treatment should talk to their health care provider to determine if they are eligible for Evusheld. If they are, they can work with their providers to find a facility where they can receive the injection.
To find our more, read the full news release on the DOH website.
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 UPDATED! COVID-19 PEDIATRIC VACCINE TOOLKIT AND PROVIDER DISCUSSION GUIDES
We've updated some of our most important COVID-19 vaccine resources (again!) for providers. The latest information is available to assist you in discussing vaccination with parents and guardians of pediatric patients.
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 UPDATED! COVID-19 VACCINE TOTAL DOSE GUIDANCE INFOGRAPHICS
We've updated these great resources to include the new second booster information. We encourage you to use these easy-to-understand infographics when explaining COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and timing to your patients.
Please share with your colleagues and in your communities through social media, email and print.
Spanish versions - Booster and Immunocompromised
HCA UNINSURED CARE EXPANSION GRANT
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) has received $35 million in federal resources to provide health care services for uninsured and underinsured individuals under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status.
This funding will be awarded through a grant application process. The Uninsured Care Expansion Grant application is currently open, but closes at 5 p.m. on Friday April 15, 2022.
For more information and details on how to apply, please visit the HCA website.
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SCHEDULE A MOBILE VACCINE EVENT
As trusted health care providers we know you understand better than anyone that disparities and inequities exist. We don’t want access to COVID-19 vaccines to be one of those. Care-a-Van is a mobile vaccination effort serving priority communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Examples of high priority audiences are:
- Counties with higher vaccine gaps by race/ethnicity
- Communities with recent outbreaks
- Communities overrepresented by COVID 19 cases, hospitalizations, deaths
- Demographic groups with lower vaccination rates than others
Since launching last summer, over 12,318 doses have been administered at 239 mobile events! Some of the communities that have been served by Care-a-Van include Afghan refugees, the Muslim Community Network Association, Spokane Homeless Connect, Central Washington Disability Resources, houses of faith, and various colleges and universities.
If you live or work in a community that might benefit from a visit by Care-a-Van, please don’t hesitate to book an event.
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OPT-OUT OPTION COMING SOON FOR ALL ADULT ANCILLARY KITS
Starting April 11, 2022, at 10am ET, you will have the option to opt-out of all adult vaccine ancillary supply kits, including the Pfizer-BioNTech adult ancillary kits.
Providers may decline ancillaries for any adult vaccine order including:
- J&J (100 dose MOQ)
- Moderna 10 (100 dose MOQ)
- Pfizer-BioNTech Gray (300 dose MOQ)
Note: The opt-out option is not currently available for pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, as Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric ancillary kits contain the diluent necessary to administer the vaccine.
To opt-out of the COVID-19 ancillary kit, the provider must:
- Make a note in the Comments section of the Order screen in the Immunization Information System (IIS), then submit as usual.
- Opt-out of the ancillary kit with each new order that is placed.
As a reminder, COVID-19 vaccine orders are approved on Mondays and Thursdays. To limit the chance of error, requests for opting out of the ancillary kits are being limited to what is received within the IIS. Please do not email opt-out requests.
Please do not return the kits to the distributor. Attempting to return extra kits may result in ordering permissions being revoked.
Please send any questions or concerns to COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
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 Upcoming Holiday Ordering and Shipping Schedule
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccines
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine deliveries will occur as usual on Friday, April 15, 2022 and Monday, April 18, 2022, unless the awardee or partner specifically requests an order hold with Pfizer-BioNTech customer service.
If you would like to request an order hold, please send a completed template to Pfizer Customer service at cvgovernment@pfizer.com by Tuesday, April 12 at 9pm ET. If you do not submit an order hold to Pfizer, deliveries will occur as normal on both Friday, April 15 (Good Friday) and Monday, April 18 (Easter Monday).
Moderna/Janssen Vaccines
Moderna and Janssen vaccine deliveries will occur as usual on Friday, April 15, 2022. If you would like to request an order hold for April 15, please email McKesson at COVIDVaccineSupport@McKesson.com.
There will be no Moderna or Janssen deliveries on Monday, April 18, 2022
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HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS!
The FDA will consider authorizing the COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 this spring. If authorized, children 6 months and older will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
The panel of medical experts will discuss the most important issues surrounding COVID-19 pediatric vaccination, as well as answer questions from attendees. Register for this event today, and if you aren't able to attend you'll receive a link to watch the recording afterwards.
ASL interpretation will be provided.
Se ofrecerá servicio de interpretación simultanea al español.
April 21 at 5pm PT
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! IACW QUARTERLY MEETING
April 27, 2022 12:00 - 2:00 MST
The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) quarterly meeting will be held on April 27, the same time as National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). The agenda will include a presentation of UW Medicine's “One Vax Two Lives” campaign and a panel discussion on challenges in vaccinating infants and pregnant women.
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FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
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Higher Education Recommendations 2021-2022
- This guidance reflects the CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines, including information on staying up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19.
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Symptom Decision Tree and Contact Tracing Checklist for K-12 Schools (PDF) and Contact Tracing Guide and FAQ for K-12 Schools (PDF)
- These documents align with the current versions of K-12 School Requirements on isolation, quarantine, and the expanded Test to Stay program.
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K-12 Schools 2021-2022 Requirements (PDF). DOH policy supports in-person learning while maximizing constrained COVID-19 testing supplies.
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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.
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Contact Tracing Guide and FAQ for K-12 Schools This guide includes quarantine recommendations and contact tracing priority settings.
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K-12 Schools 2021-2022 Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission. Information includes 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.
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Secretary of Health’s Mask Order FAQ, to align with 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.
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FOR LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES
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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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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.
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This newsletter summarizes content from the week of April 3, 2022 and was sent out on April 8, 2022. |
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