Prepare Now: The 6 Mos - 4/5 Yrs COVID-19 Vaccine Is Coming Soon

Hello POP Members!

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBAC) is scheduled to meet on June 15 to discuss amending the EUA of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to include the administration of the primary series to infants and children 6 months through 5 years of age, and also to discuss amending the EUA of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include the administration of the primary series to infants and children 6 months through 4 years of age.

                                                                

To help you and your staff get ready for this important rollout, we wanted to share some helpful tips and reminders. 

Administration/Facilities 

• Update immunization information systems to allow for younger age group
• Order your vaccine now in the WAIIS; deliveries will begin on June 21 and shipment tracking information will be available in the IIS
• Make sure you have enough storage capacity

Staff Training

• If you aren't already a COVID-19 vaccine provider, enroll now.
• Train staff in the vaccine specifications for this specific age group
• Ensure staff is able to respond to allergic reactions in young children
• Offer COVID-19 vaccine, along with flu and other routine immunizations during well-child visits
• Encourage parents/guardians to enroll in v-safe

Patient Resources

• Have patient education resources printed and available in your office or clinic (in languages relevant to your patient population); this provider toolkit is a great place to start
• If you are not a vaccine provider, refer parents/guardians to Vaccine Locator to schedule an appointment as soon as possible

Thank you for supporting the COVID-19 vaccine age expansion!

Power of Providers Team
Prevention and Community Health Division
Washington State Department of Health
powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov
360-236-3873 | www.doh.wa.gov/pop