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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: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN A VACCINE CARD IS FULL?
A: Vaccination Record Cards for many recipients of COVID-19 vaccines are now full. This is especially true for those over 50 years of age or immunocompromised individuals seeking additional boosters. In these instances, providers and jurisdictions are raising questions about the proper procedure for issuing new Vaccination Record Cards.
If a vaccination card is full, the CDC recommends that a second card be completed, and the two cards stapled together. If possible, encourage the patient to photograph both cards in case the two become separated. Both cards should be presented when vaccination history is required for travel, employment, or any other purpose requiring official, universally recognized documentation. Patients should bring both cards to future vaccination appointments for verification of vaccination history.
When a Vaccination Record Card is Full:
- Complete a new card for the patient
- Staple both cards together
- Encourage the patient to photograph both cards in case they become separated
- Bring both cards to future vaccination appointments
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THANK YOU VACCINATORS!
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.
We encourage you to talk to your patients, family and friends about staying up to date on immunizations and how they can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of disease. DOH will also be celebrating NIAM throughout this month, so follow us on social media and share our posts with your network!
To assist you in communicating the importance of vaccination, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information and resources.
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UPDATED COVID-19 SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE GUIDANCE & RESOURCE MATERIALS
On August 5, 2022, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released an updated version of the Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools and Child Care. This guidance is important for members of our school and child care community who make critical decisions around the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s guidance was developed through a collaboration between DOH; local health jurisdictions; tribal health partners; the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI); the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF); and other partners.
In addition to the updated guidance, the materials below provide a high-level overview of key changes in the guidance for schools, childcare providers, and families.
The resource materials will be translated into additional languages to increase accessibility. Materials for schools and childcare staff will be translated into Spanish, Somali, and Russian. Materials for families, for both K-12 and childcare settings, will be translated into 36 languages. Translated materials are expected to be available later in August.
You can access the updated COVID-19 school and childcare guidance on the DOH website located in the School and Child Care section of the Resources and Recommendations webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact the COVID-19 information hotline by dialing 1-800-525-0127, then press # or email your questions to DOH.Information@doh.wa.gov.
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CDC STREAMLINES COVID-19 GUIDANCE
On August 11, 2022, the CDC announced new COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, and what actions to take if you have symptoms or test positive with the virus.
Updates to CDC’s guidance will help people better understand their personal risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 and help them make informed decisions to layer prevention strategies as needed. This includes the recommendation of staying up to date with vaccination to protect from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death.
To read the full update, see the early release edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
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NEED INFORMATION ON MPV (MONKEYPOX)?
There is currently an outbreak of MPV, also known as monkeypox, in Washington state and across the country. Although this newsletter is primarily focused on COVID-19 vaccines, we want to acknowledge this public health concern and share important resources you and your patients may find helpful.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has put together information on MPV including risk factors, testing, vaccine, and treatment, along with data on the current outbreak.
Coming soon:
- Expanding the webpage to cover the top 12 languages spoken in Washington
- Partner toolkit to help you share information about the disease
- Anti-stigma guide
- Printable/shareable flyer in the top 12 languages
- Blog on addressing and avoiding stigma
Please keep an eye on our website for the most up-to-date information on MPV. If you are a health care provider, make sure your patients get the testing, prevention, and treatment they need.
Thank you!
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EDITING LOT NUMBERS IN WAIIS
Please DO NOT EDIT lot number is the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS).
This includes adding any additional letters, numbers, or special characters to a lot number. Doing so may restrict administered doses from decrementing from the inventory. If a lot number entered into a provider’s EMR isn’t a direct match to the WAIIS, the administration will not decrement from inventory. If you feel that you need to edit a lot number for any reason, please contact the Vaccine Ordering and Distribution Team at COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov for additional guidance and support.
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NOVAVAX BILLING CODE
The American Medical Association (AMA) has established billing and coding reimbursement information for the EUA period for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (picture above).
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA, under and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to provide a two-dose primary series to individuals 18 years of age and older to prevent COVID-19.
For more information regarding COVID-19 vaccine coding, these resources may be useful:
IIS COVID-19 Vaccine Related Codes | CDC
Code Finder Resource | AMA
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SPIKEVAX NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING
In January 2022, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine received FDA approval for administration to people 18 years and older (previously, it had been authorized for emergency use). It is now licensed and will be marketed under the name Spikevax. Ordering has opened in the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS) for the newly branded vaccine.
Please note: No change has been made to the vaccine's formula. It is the same vaccine, just a new name.
For more information, please carefully review the updated fact sheet from Moderna.
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NEW COVID-19 VACCINE COORDINATOR RESOURCES
A training checklist for new vaccine coordinators is now available. Resources from both the CDC and DOH are included to ensure that new vaccine coordinators can review best practices regarding storage and handling, reporting, vaccine transport, and more. This checklist also has links to the updated DOH COVID-19 Vaccine Management Plan template which now includes a vaccine transfer form. New and experienced coordinators can use this resource to benefit their programs.
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MIXED PRODUCT SERIES FOR 6 MONTHS - 4 YEARS
While the CDC recommends the use of the same COVID-19 vaccine product for all primary doses, it is acknowledged that continuity of product for the primary series is not always be possible. Guidance on how to handle patients that have had a mixed primary series is provided on the CDC website.
If a child under the age of 4 receives a mixed series (e.g. first dose Pfizer-BioNtech and second dose Moderna) they will require a total of 3 doses to complete their primary series.
For more on this topic, please visit the CDC website and review the Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 vaccines, Interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccine products.
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AIM IMMUNIZATION CHAMPION AWARD PRESENTED DURING NEXT IACW MEETING
Who will the winner be?
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) Immunization Champion Award is being presented virtually at the next Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) meeting at 12:00pm on August 17, 2022. The award will honor Washington state’s selected champion. The Immunization Champion Award recognizes exemplary immunization efforts in the community.
During the meeting, IACW will also present the IACW Immunization Collaborator and IACW Immunization Advocate Award winners. To see the full list of nominees, check out the Department of Health’s Immunization Champion nomination page.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 12:00-2:00m PT
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STRATEGIES TO DISCUSS THE COVID-19 VACCINE WITH YOUR MOST RELUCTANT PATIENTS
Friday, August 26 Noon-1pm PT
Join an expert panel of physicians at this free webinar to learn effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine by addressing their questions, fears, and concerns. Physicians from communities with low vaccination rates will provide real world examples of how to discuss the pediatric and adult vaccines, as well as booster vaccines. Representatives from DOH will outline the key elements of Power of Providers (POP) and the resources included in the toolkit.
This activity meets the criteria for up to 1 hour of Category I CME credit.
For more information on this webinar and others from Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), visit their Upcoming Webinars page.
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FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
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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 August 7, 2022 and was sent out on August 12, 2022. |
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