Monthly Order Schedules Start Sept. 1

The vaccine ordering schedules in the IIS will be updated to reflect a monthly schedule for every enrolled provider. This change is based on provider feedback, increased flexibility, and an analysis of current ordering patterns. Providers will continue to be assigned an ordering period for the first half of the month (1^st-15^th) or second half of the month (16^th – end of the month). Ordering schedules can be viewed in the IIS on the Create/View Order page. There is still a bug in the IIS that may not display the schedule correctly at this time, but we expect this to be fixed in an upcoming upgrade. 

Remember to keep your storage capabilities in mind when placing an order and be sure not to order more than you can store. Additionally, you are not required to place an order each month if you are not in need of vaccine.

Transition to PCV-20 on Sept. 1

Providers who currently order Pfizer's Prevnar-13 (PCV-13) product will transition to Prevnar-20 (PCV-20) on September 1st, 2023. Please utilize existing inventory before using PCV-20 to avoid unnecessary waste of PCV-13. The program will be monitoring orders of PCV-20 to prevent waste of PCV-13.

Providers who wish to make a brand change will need to wait until Vaccine Choice opens again in October.​ Please stay tuned to the Vaccine Blurbs for more information.

Menveo Vaccine Presentation Change

GSK is launching their Menveo 1-vial vaccine presentation and it will be available to order September 1, 2023.

The main differences between GSK Menveo 1-vial and GSK Menveo 2-vial is the requirement for reconstitution, the age indication and the package size. The existing GSK Menveo 2-vial presentation, NDC 58160-0955-09, requires reconstitution and the new GSK Menveo 1-vial presentation, NDC 58160-0827-30, does not require reconstitution. In addition, the age indication differs between the two presentations:

• Menveo 2-vial, NDC 58160-0955-09 (existing presentation, 5-pack) is approved for use in persons aged 2 months through 55 years.
• Menveo 1-vial, NDC 58160-0827-30 (new presentation, 10-pack) is approved for use in persons aged 10 through 55 years.

GSK will continue to make both products available to support vaccination for children as young as 2 months of age.  However, the existing 2-vial presentation will be available in limited amounts and will be on allocation from CDC. It will be important to target this product for use in children aged 2 months through 2 years of age as it is the only meningococcal conjugate vaccine approved for use in this age group. 

For clinics using Menveo, beginning September 1^st your order set will be updated to the 1-vial (no reconstitution) product. For children less than 10 years old who need Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine, please email us at WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov to discuss options and obtain a special order.

Prepare Now for the COVID-19 Vaccine Transition

When COVID-19 vaccine is transitioned into the WA State Childhood Vaccine (CVP) and Adult Vaccine Programs (AVP), one big difference providers will notice is that ancillary kits will not be provided. Please ensure you have adequate supply on hand of all syringes, needles, and other ancillary supplies you may need to administer COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to order through the state programs.

2023-2024 Influenza Vaccine Recommendations Published

CDC recently published Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2023–24 Influenza Season. The primary change is the guidance that people with egg allergy of any severity may receive any influenza vaccine with standard precautions.

• Any influenza vaccine (egg based or nonegg based) appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status can be used
• Egg allergy alone necessitates no additional safety measures for influenza vaccination beyond those recommended for any recipient of any vaccine, regardless of severity of previous reaction to egg
• All vaccines should be administered in settings in which rapid treatment of acute hypersensitivity reactions is available.

The vaccine dosing algorithm for children aged 6 months through 8 years who may need a 2^nd dose of vaccine is the same as in previous years.

Vaccines.gov, and its Spanish counterpart, Vacunas.gov are now available to help people find influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for any age group.

Nirsevimab (BeyfortusTM) Updates

ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommendations for the use of nirsevimab are now published. Here’s a summary of the clinical recommendations:

• Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody injection that has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalizations and healthcare visits for RSV in infants by about 80 percent.
• CDC recommends one dose of nirsevimab for all infants younger than 8 months, born during or entering their first RSV season.
• A dose is also recommended in the second RSV season for children between the ages of 8 and 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as children who are severely immunocompromised and American Indian or Alaska Native children.
• Nirsevimab can be administered from October through the end of March, and should be administered in the hospital before discharge or in the clinic.
• Simultaneous administration of nirsevimab with routine vaccines is recommended.

Due to the complexity of this new monoclonal antibody through the VFC Program and changes needed in WAIIS, we continue to develop more implementation details. More updates will be shared as soon as possible. Please send questions to immunenurses@doh.wa.gov.

Pneumococcal and Adult RSV Vaccine Webinar Recordings Available with CEs

Two webinars hosted by CDC are now available as recordings. Continuing education credits are available for watching the recording.

• Childhood and Adult Pneumococcal Updated Recommendations
• New RSV Vaccines for Adults: General Information and Clinical Guidance

For questions about the immunization schedule, the Immunization Information System forecast, or any other immunization clinical questions, please send an email to ImmuneNurses@doh.wa.gov. Check out the Immunization Training web page for more resources and training opportunities.

Need to Update Your Provider Agreement?

If you need to make changes to your clinic's Childhood Vaccine Program (CVP) Provider Agreement in the IIS, please request it be returned to you for updates. You DO NOT need to add a new Provider Agreement in the IIS unless your clinic changes the facility name, facility address or the signatory. All other changes can be edited in the current agreement. Contact us at WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-2VAX if you need to make updates to your Provider Agreement.