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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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ABC7 News Chicago
Q: IS THE PANDEMIC OVER?
A: Many people are wondering if the pandemic is over and health care professionals may be faced with this question from their patients and clients.
Despite the progress that has been made, COVID-19 still kills more than 300 people nationally every day. In Washington state, the virus remains killing more than 10 people a day, and continues to be a serious threat for some communities and for people who are at highest risk of severe disease.
The Public Health Communications Collaborative has updated their messaging guidance to help you answer questions about the state of COVID-19. Here are some of the topline tips and considerations:
- Emphasize the progress we’ve made
- Explain that the threat remains
- Emphasize public health recommendations
- Recognize uncertainty
- Underscore the role of public health
For additional resources, you can also check out PHCC's “Building Bridges” resource to learn how to stay grounded in core messages and build trust with fact-based messaging.
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UPDATE FOR EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER HEALTH PRACTITIONERS
On Sep. 8, Governor Inslee announced that all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations and the related state of emergency will end by October 31, 2022. In addition, the Department of Health (DOH) will stop processing new COVID-19 volunteer medical practitioner registrations in WAserv as of September 30, 2022.
What this means for volunteers and recommended next steps:
Non-Medical Community Health Volunteers
- Discontinue COVID-19 emergency volunteer activities by October 31, 2022.
- DOH will deactivate volunteer profiles.
- Volunteers will no longer have liability protections after this date.
Health Practitioner Volunteers with Active In-State Licenses
- Discontinue COVID-19 emergency volunteer activities by October 31, 2022.
- DOH will deactivate volunteer profiles.
- Continue to follow all rules and regulations that apply to regular work and license.
Out-of-State Health Practitioner Volunteers
- Discontinue COVID-19 emergency volunteer activities by October 31, 2022.
- DOH will deactivate volunteer profiles.
- If volunteers do not wish to continue practicing in Washington state - no action is required.
- If volunteers do wish to continue practicing in Washington state - they will need professional licensure in Washington state.
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To avoid a lapse in practice we encourage volunteers to submit application for Washington state license as soon as possible.
Health Care Organizations and Facilities
- Discontinue any related COVID-19 emergency volunteer activities by October 31, 2022.
For more information on Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners and the upcoming changes, please visit the DOH website.
Thank you volunteers!
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NEW! COVID-19 VACCINE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED
- A new reference guide is now available for those who are immunocompromised or have loved ones who are. This reference guide outlines the vaccine schedule for each age group and vaccine brand, along with answering some FAQs about the new boosters, the differences between additional and booster doses, and general information on who may benefit from additional doses. Check this resource out today! (Coming soon in Spanish and 40 additional languages)
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UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE MATERIALS
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Reference Guide for All Ages
Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines
- The Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines document gives an overview of the different vaccine brands side by side and is a great go-to comparison guide. This document has been updated with information on the new bivalent boosters and eligibility. Check this resource out today to compare the different vaccine brands and eligibility by age group and more! (Coming soon in Spanish and 36 additional languages)
- Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines
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 Pictured left to right: Claire Hannan (Executive Director, AIM), Dr. Georgina Peacock (ISD/NCIRD/CDC), Dr. Melinda Wharton (ACIP/NCIRD/CDC), Barry Iverson (DOH), Michele Roberts (DOH), and Kurt Seetoo (Maryland Immunization Program Manager)
DOH WINS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARD FOR VACCINATE WA COVID-19 CAMPAIGN
On August 30th, immunization and health promotion staff from DOH attended the AIM Leadership in Action Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to accept the 2022 Bull’s-Eye Award for Innovation and Excellence in Immunization for our agency’s already Emmy-winning Vaccinate Washington COVID-19 vaccine public health campaign efforts that began in 2020.
Barry Iverson, COVID-19 vaccine health promotion team supervisor Center for Health Promotion and Education team (HPE), accepted the award on behalf of DOH’s campaign promotional team along with PCH deputy secretary Michele Roberts. Barry gave a presentation on the campaign’s successes and highlights at the conference on September 1st.
The Vaccinate WA campaign is managed by Kristen Haley from HPE’s social marketing team, with support by additional vaccination health education staff in HPE, in partnership with contracted social marketing agency, C+C. C+C specializes in behavior change marketing and public relations.
This honor was awarded from the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a nation free of vaccine-preventable disease. AIM members are the leaders of state, local, and territorial immunization programs—directing the public health efforts designed to keep children and adults vaccinated and protected against disease.
The Bull’s-Eye Award for Innovation and Excellence in Immunization recognizes programs whose immunization strategies have “hit their mark,” achieving goals and increasing awareness by encouraging replication in other programs.
This achievement marks the second time in the past 5 years DOH health education vaccination campaigns have been recognized by AIM, with a previous Bull’s-Eye Award in 2017 earned for our state’s hepatitis B immunization efforts in infants.
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BRINGING VACCINES TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES!
The Power of Providers (POP) continues to partner with Care-a-Van to bring mobile vaccine clinics to college campuses across the state. POP members are also getting involved, volunteering to educate students and answer questions about the updated COVID-19 booster at these events.
In fact, a recent DOH news release featured a quote from POP member Professor Ajay Mendoza, ANRP, encouraging students to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines so they don’t fall behind in classes or miss social events. “College students tend to find themselves in close proximity with others, in places like dorms and classrooms, that’s why COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are such a vital part of showing up as our healthiest and best selves on campus this year. Being vaccinated will lead to less severe illness from the virus, which will ensure students aren’t distracted from their academic work or social lives while at school and will help them stay healthier in the event that they still become infected.”
Upcoming Events
- October 3, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.: University of Washington, Seattle Campus
- October 4, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.: University of Washington, Tacoma Campus
- October 5, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.: University of Washington, Bothell Campus
- October 6, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m.: Washington State University, Vancouver Campus
- October 21, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.: Central Washington University, Ellensburg
Stop by one of our clinics if you are in the area!
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MODERNA BIVALENT BOOSTERS NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER
The Moderna Bivalent product is now available to order in the WAIIS. We have a limited number of doses and as a result, some orders may be reduced or denied. Please only request what you will administer within 1-2 weeks. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine thresholds continue to be replenished on a regular basis. Therefore, providers are encouraged to consider ordering Pfizer-BioNTech in place of Moderna as patient demand allows. Orders are approved in the WAIIS on Mondays and Thursdays at noon.
If you need doses urgently or need fewer than the minimum order amount (300 doses for Pfizer-BioNTech and 100 doses for Moderna), please request a transfer from your local vaccine depot: FAQs: How Providers Can Request COVID-19 Vaccine from Depots
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SELECTING VACCINE PRODUCTS IN WAIIS
The COVID-19 vaccine product descriptions seen on the Vaccination View/Add and Vaccination Detail screens in the WAIIS have changed. In an effort to enhance the WAIIS Vaccination View/Add screen, these product descriptions no longer indicate cap color for COVID-19 vaccines (see photo above). When manually entering patient vaccination records into the WAIIS, please take care to ensure you are selecting the appropriate product. Additionally, the Moderna dose presentation and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine presentations contain cap color information for your review, if necessary. The term ‘bivalent booster’ is included in the product description for the new Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster vaccines. Please send any questions or concerns to COVID.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov
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REMINDER - PLEASE UPDATE VACCINE LOCATOR!
When was the last time you updated Vaccine Locator? Please make sure people who want to get the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can find them! Check to make sure your office location and contact information is current, and your complete vaccine offering is displayed. We also recommend noting if you only vaccinate existing patients.
Log in to WA HEALTH and update your information today!
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COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATES FROM DOH
September 27, 2022 12:00-1:00pm PT
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Updates Webinar on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 12:00pm. The webinar will cover updated storage and handling information for COVID-19 vaccines and the updated COVID-19 vaccine schedule. Continuing education credit will be available for nurses who attend the webinar.
Click here to register for the webinar.
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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 September 18, 2022 and was sent out on September 23, 2022. |
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