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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: IS IT COVID-19 OR SEASONAL ALLERGIES?
A: With spring here, allergy season is in full swing and many people wonder if the symptoms they are experiencing are seasonal allergies or COVID-19. Also, as mentioned in last weeks newsletter, flu cases are on the rise in Washington state. With COVID-19, seasonal allergies and the flu all circulating in our community right now, how can we tell the difference when we aren't feeling well?
With seasonal allergies, a person is likely to experience sneezing, itchy eyes/nose/ears, a runny/stuffy nose, and sometimes a dry cough. When infected with COVID-19, common symptoms include fever, wet cough, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Although not every person who gets COVID-19 experiences these, they are not associated with seasonal allergies. According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal allergies are also not known to cause difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (unless you have a respiratory illness that is triggered), while COVID-19 often does.
It's much harder to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu, as almost all of the symptoms are the same. One small distinction is that people with COVID-19 frequently lose their sense of taste and smell, whereas flu sufferers do not. Aside from this, testing is the only way to determine if someone has COVID-19 or influenza.
For more information on this topic, check out these resources.
Symptom Check: COVID-19 or Seasonal Allergies?
COVID-19, cold, allergies, and the flu: What are the differences?
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FDA LIMITS USE OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE
WA DOH Removes Standing Orders
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has limited the authorized use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine. Their analysis shows the risk of certain side effects warrants limiting the vaccine. Click here to read their full statement. The uses now authorized by the FDA are limited to:
- People age 18 years and older who cannot be given or cannot access another COVID-19 vaccine
- People age 18 years and older who choose to receive the J&J vaccine because they otherwise would not get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Washington State has sufficient supply of other COVID-19 vaccines to ensure availability. There could be situations where the J&J vaccine is still the best choice based on the individual’s preference, but due to the need for additional screening, education, and documentation of the individual’s decision, the Washington State Department of Health is removing the state standing orders for the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine. If you have standing orders from DOH, they are no longer valid.
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CHILD IMMUNIZATION RATES DECLINE DURING THE PANDEMIC
Olympia - A new report shows routine childhood immunization rates decreased during the pandemic, dropping by 13% in 2021 when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The drop was most noticeable in young children. In response, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), health care providers and other agencies are working with families to catch up and stay current on routine immunizations. "The pandemic has been difficult for everyone. Disruptions to schooling, childcare and in-person health care made it hard for some families to stay up to date on their shots," said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, Chief Science Officer. "We encourage parents and caregivers to schedule their well-child visits as soon as possible, to make sure their kids are happy, healthy, meeting developmental milestones, and ready for school."
The new report, compiled by DOH, compares routine childhood vaccination rates in Washington from 2021 to averages from 2015-2019. Rates were found to have declined the most in younger children, however rates in teens increased. Key findings include:
- Vaccinations decreased 9.6% in the 19–35-month age group.
- Vaccinations decreased 3.9% in the 4–6-year age group.
- Vaccinations decreased 3.6% in the 11–12-year age group.
- Vaccinations increased 1.8% in the 13–17-year age group.
Children need to be up to date on immunizations to attend pre-school, kindergarten, school, or childcare this fall. Scheduling well-child visits early ensure children can attend educational programs on time and can reduce the stress of finding a last-minute appointment.
To read the full news release, please visit the DOH website.
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COVID-19 VACCINE FORWARD CAPACITY SURVEY
In the Washington State Department of Health’s ForWArd Plan, the Department of Health commits to supporting vaccination efforts throughout the state and maintaining the system-wide capacity to administer 30,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per day, and the ability to surge to 60,000 doses daily within seven days, as needed.
Starting June 1st, a monthly COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Capacity survey will be sent to enrolled providers. This survey will be used to measure the maximum capacity, on a monthly basis, that enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers have to administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients.
If you are an enrolled provider we would appreciate your response to the survey and don't hesitate to contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Program at COVID.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov if you have any questions.
Thank you!
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NEW CAMPAIGN FOCUSING ON WELLNESS CHECKUPS
Last week we mentioned that DOH was preparing to launch a statewide campaign encouraging parents and guardians to resume routine annual checkups for children, which may have been missed during the pandemic.
The campaign went live last week and can be seen on television, streaming devices, digital video networks, social media, digital audio and in print in ParentMap magazine. Please watch for it and share it with your patients and colleagues!
We also hope you will reach out to parents and guardians to encourage in-person appointments for children to get caught up on immunizations, and use the opportunity to discuss COVID-19 vaccination as well.
Watch :30 ad on YouTube.
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UPDATED! COVID-19 PEDIATRIC VACCINE TOOLKITS
We've updated some of our most important COVID-19 vaccine resources for providers and schools. The latest information is available to assist you in discussing vaccination with parents and guardians of pediatric patients and getting children caught up on all immunizations for the next school year.
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 MISSING TEMPERATURE LOGS COULD BLOCK INFANT VACCINE PARTICIPATION
Temperature logs to the COVID-19 Vaccine Program are due by the 5th of every month, and a full guidance document is available here. COVID-19 vaccine ordering and transferring functionality may be paused if temperature logs are not submitted, which would prevent ordering of pediatric vaccine that may become available, if approved, next month.
Primary and Backup Vaccine Coordinators listed on the provider agreement should have received an email with a link to where temperature logs can be uploaded. If the Vaccine Coordinators contact information has changed or you have questions, please email us at covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
*Please note: If you are enrolled in the Childhood Vaccine Program, you will need to follow the requirements of that program to submit temperature logs, in addition to what is submitted to the COVID-19 Vaccine Program.
Thank you for doing your part to keep your COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective!
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MORE COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES
One of the most challenging aspects of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts has been trying to stay up to date on the everchanging policies and recommendations. Immunize.org has developed a way to make this easier for you. They've created a webpage, with links to various resources, to allow quick access to the vital information you need regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
Visit this page and bookmark it for ongoing reference.
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 ACIP MEETING
May 19, 2022 11:00am - 4:00pm ET
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet on Thursday, May 19. No agenda has been published yet. The meeting will be held virtually and registration is not required to attend.
ACIP Meeting Information
ACIP Website
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RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE: ADDRESSING VACCINE ADMINISTRATION ERRORS
The Washington State Department of Health recently hosted a webinar titled, “Addressing Vaccine Administration Errors.” The webinar was targeted towards health care providers who manage and provide vaccines to patients. Sarah Schillie, MD, a guest speaker from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showed how people can identify vaccine administration errors and how to avoid them.
The webinar recording and instructions for continuing education credit are available on the Department of Health webinar webpage. Nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacists who complete the recording and evaluation are approved for one hour of profession-specific education credit.
Watch the recording on YouTube here.
Complete the evaluation here.
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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 THIS 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 click submit.
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This newsletter summarizes content from the week of May 8, 2022 and was sent out on May 13, 2022. |
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