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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: WILL UNINSURED PEOPLE STILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FREE COVID-19 VACCINES IN PHARMACIES POST-COMMERCIALIZATION?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its intent to modify existing Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program contracts with CVS Pharmacy Inc., Walgreens Co., and E3HealthSolutions, LLC (eTrueNorth) to reach and vaccinate millions of adults for COVID-19 through local pharmacies as part of the Bridge Program.
It is expected that participating pharmacy chains will receive reimbursement for the administration cost and free vaccines from manufacturers for use in their community via the pharmacy arm of the Bridge Access Program. This initiative will fulfill a CDC requirement of acquiring COVID-19 Vaccination and Therapeutics Services to disseminate via pharmacies for uninsured and underinsured adults in areas of low vaccination coverage.
eTrueNorth is an organization that coordinates independent pharmacy sites for ICATT. Pharmacies interested in joining this group can find more information through their website.
More information is available through the CDC's About the ICATT Program.
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PREPARE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE COMMERCIALIZATION
For enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers, all COVID-19 vaccine ordering will be turned off in the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS) at 4 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 2nd. Please order sufficient vaccine to ensure you have adequate supply to last until commercialization, anticipated to happen in early fall. Updated vaccine recommendations for all age groups are expected in mid to late September and it's expected that commercial ordering will open shortly afterwards.
We anticipate that access to COVID-19 vaccines will be available at no cost through the Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP) and Adult Vaccine Program (AVP) after commercialization. Please email questions to covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
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ENROLL IN THE ADULT VACCINE PROGRAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BRIDGE ACCESS PROGRAM
COVID-19 vaccines will transition to the commercial marketplace in fall 2023. Most Americans will continue to pay nothing out-of-pocket for the COVID-19 vaccine due to their insurance coverage. However, 25 million uninsured adults will lose access to affordable COVID-19 vaccines. To address this, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments – a public/ private partnership as a temporary measure to prevent the loss of under- and uninsured adults’ access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments at no-cost after commercialization.
The Bridge Program is temporary, beginning in the fall of 2023.
The Washington Department of Health will be allocated COVID-19 vaccines via the Bridge Program for dissemination to partners across the state. Bridge Access Program COVID-19 vaccines will be provided through the Adult Vaccine Program, similar to other routine vaccines. In order to request COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured/ underinsured adults, enroll in the Adult Vaccine Program.
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ENCOURAGE ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS, INCLUDING COVID-19 VACCINES
Public Health Communications Collaborative have created new messaging and tips for encouraging routine childhood vaccinations, including for the childhood COVID-19 vaccines. As kids prepare to return to school this fall, routine childhood and age-specific vaccinations are a top public health priority. With the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety, encouraging childhood vaccine uptake is both timely and critical.
Key points include:
- Underscore the individual benefits of routine childhood vaccination.
- Craft separate messaging on COVID-19 vaccines for children and routine childhood vaccines.
- Leverage a wide range of trusted messengers in your community to communicate the importance of routine childhood vaccinations.
Expand on these points and learn more at Public Health Communication Collaborative.
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POSSIBLE MODERNA SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION (PEDIATRIC ONLY)
Four lots of Moderna pediatric pink-cap bivalent vaccine are currently under consideration for a potential shelf-life extension.
| Lot Number |
Current Expiration Date |
| 201L22A |
Sept 6, 2023 |
| 214K22A |
Aug 29, 2023 |
| 216K22A |
Aug 22, 2023 |
| 215K22A |
Aug 19, 2023 |
Providers may receive Moderna pediatric bivalent vaccine within less than 30 days prior to the expiration date in order to prevent disrupting product distribution. CDC is requesting that providers quarantine and hold Moderna pediatric lots at correct storage temperature and conditions as they reach their expiration date to avoid possible administration errors with expired vaccines. CDC has clinical materials outlining correct storage and handling practices for Moderna vaccines.
A submission for shelf-life extension does not guarantee approval by FDA. As updates about the shelf-life extensions becomes available, it will be communicated via the newsletter. Moderna’s online Vial Expiration Checker tool can also be used to verify the expiration date of these lots in the upcoming weeks.
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MCKESSON SHIPPERS
As of July 11, providers will again receive UPS return labels for all frozen shipping containers from McKesson so that they may be returned and refurbished. A flyer stating this will also be inserted into each shipment.
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UPCOMING POWER OF PROVIDERS WEBINAR
The Landscape of Post-COVID-19 Conditions- Where We Are Now?
August 11, 2023, 12 PM-1 PM PDT
Dr Eric J. Chow from King County Public Health will cover the known epidemiology and clinical considerations of post-COVID-19 conditions. Dr. Chow will:
- Review updates to case definitions.
- Discuss the current understanding of the clinical spectrum.
- Explore possible underlying causes and risk factors.
The target audience includes health care providers, pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, health educators, and anyone interested in learning more details about post-COVID-19 conditions.
DOH will record this webinar, and continuing medical education is available for physicians. Non-physician certificates are also offered.
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IMMUNIZE OREGON: NORTHWEST IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE (NWIC) 2023
August 8, 2023, 8 AM-5 PM PDT
The Northwest Immunization Conference (NWIC) is an annual event bringing together local, regional, and national specialists to learn the latest information on immunizations and vaccine issues impacting health care practices.
Expert speakers will discuss strategies to address vaccine hesitancy, further the discussion around immunizations in the community, and review vaccine-specific updates. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational workshops and clinical skill building training while networking with fellow immunization stakeholders throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Attendees have the option to attend virtually or in-person for this year's event. Conference packages can be purchased until 5 pm on August 6th while supplies last.
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WORKSHOP ON PLAIN TALK
Plain Language: A Tool for Communicating Effectively with Patients, Partners, and Colleagues
September 13, 2023, 9 AM-10:30 AM PDT
This workshop will review key plain language strategies, compare and contrast content centering varied audiences, and consider areas where we can increase use of plain language in our own work.
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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 July 16, 2023 and was sent out on July 28, 2023. |
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