Provider Agreement Renewal

Childhood Vaccine Program provider agreement renewal is upon us! Renewals are organized by county so please check out the Renewal Schedule. We have resources available to help you with this process: 

• Recorded CVP Training Series on Thursday, February 15, 2024
• Provider Agreement Renewal Guide
• Renewal FAQ

If you haven't done so yet, ensure your clinic is ready to renew by completing the following:

• Annual You Call the Shots training modules for primary and backup vaccine coordinators 
• Gather practice profile data for 2023 
• Ensure all thermometer calibrations are up to date

Nirsevimab Administration Ending March 31st

While the onset and duration of RSV season may vary throughout the United States, nirsevimab is typically administered October through the end of March in most of the continental US. 

Healthcare providers should stop administering nirsevimab by March 31. Nirsevimab will no longer be available for ordering through the Childhood Vaccine Program after March 14, 2024.

Remaining inventory of nirsevimab is viable until its expiration date. Product should continue to be safely stored refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and can be used when administration resumes next season. More information can be found here: Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Immunization with Monoclonal Antibody for Children 19 Months and Younger | CDC

Reconciling COVID Vaccines with Expired BUD

Providers are now able to reconcile CVP COVID vaccines with expired BUD by choosing "Spoiled" for the category and "Expired BUD" for the reason. After reconciliation, please follow the vaccine return process. For more information, please see the Online Vaccine Returns quick reference guide. 

VaxExpo is Back!

Join this collaborative event to share innovative ideas and best practices to better protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. VaxExpo is a vaccine- and immunization-centric conference that features highly enlightening and interactive sessions to encourage the exchange of ideas across a wide range of disciplines in the fields of vaccines and immunizations. National, state, and local presenters will be sharing information on topics from general immunization updates to adolescent vaccines, special population vaccines and survivor stories.

Date: May 1, 2024
Time: 7 am – 4 pm
Location: CenterPlace Regional Event Center, Spokane, WA

For more information and to register: VaxExpo 2024

Vaccine Dating (Shelf Life) Regulations

While most CVP vaccines shipped from McKesson have at least a 12-month expiration date, it is possible for products with shorter expiration dates to be shipped to providers. In general, doses will continue to ship out until the following: 

• Vaccine is <90 days from expiration for non-flu products
• Vaccine is <30 days from expiration for flu and COVID-19 products 

If shorter dating presents an issue, we recommend placing smaller, more frequent orders. As a reminder, all providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program are on a monthly ordering schedule. Providers are welcome to place an order at any time if they are in need of additional inventory. 

Update on Pfizer Diluent

Pfizer has changed the diluent pack size associated with orders of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for ages 6 months through 4 years of age. 

Prior to this change, vaccine orders for this presentation were supplied with diluent in a 10-pack. Pfizer will now supply diluent in a 25-pack. Diluent will be provided in quantities so that providers receive sufficient diluent (and generally more than sufficient) to administer all doses of vaccine ordered. 

As a reminder, one vial of diluent is required to reconstitute one multidose vial of vaccine for individuals 6 months through 4 years of age. Providers should plan to dispose of diluent they receive that they do not use. 

CVP Provider Training Series March 21st

Calling all billing coordinators! Mark your calendars for the next CVP provider training series on Thursday, March 21st, 2024. We will be covering program billing and eligibility screening, including a focus on private insurance billing with the Washington Vaccine Association. 

Topic: Billing and Eligibility Screening

Date: March 21, 2024
Time: 12 noon
Primary Audience: Billing Coordinators for the Childhood Vaccine Program
Secondary Audience: Providers and Vaccine Coordinators for the Childhood Vaccine Program 

Join the Training Session
Webinar ID: 851 4240 2545
Passcode: 673609

Use Td vaccine if pertussis is contraindicated in children under 7 years old

Based on the recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting in February, CDC now recommends the off-label use of Td vaccine in children < 7 years of age for whom the pertussis component is contraindicated. Health care providers can start giving Td vaccine for these children instead of DT vaccine.

Background:

• A primary series of 5 DTaP vaccines are recommended for children <7 years
• For children <7 years who developed a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, DT was recommended. The sole DT vaccine manufacturer in the US discontinued DT production and the last lot expired in April 2023.
• The only contraindication specific to the pertussis component in DTaP is encephalopathy within 7 days of vaccination, not related to another cause.
• For children who develop a contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, providers may give Td for all recommended remaining doses instead of DTaP.

References:

• About Young Children with a Contraindication to Pertussis-Containing Vaccines | CDC
• ACIP Vaccines for Children's Program To Prevent Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis - Resolution No. 02/24-1 (cdc.gov)
• February ACIP Meeting VFC Resolution Update: Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoid Containing Vaccines

American Academy of Pediatrics Provides Resources on Measles

Earlier this month the American Academy of Pediatrics published a report which explains how to talk with parents and caregivers about vaccines. This tool is offered to assist with improving vaccination rates. The full report can be found here: Strategies for Improving Vaccine Communication and Uptake. Additionally, the AAP has developed a reference document called Think Measles which provides tips to identifying measles in practice. You can find more useful resources on measles at Clinical Resources: Measles. 

Trivalent Influenza Vaccine for 2024-2025 season

On March 5th,  the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met to discuss the selection of influenza variants to be included in next seasons vaccines. There was data presented supporting a trivalent vaccine versus the current quadrivalent vaccines being administered. The change comes at the discovery that the b/Yamagata influenza strain has been absent in circulation since 2020.

VRBPAC did vote to eliminate the B/Yamagata influenza strain from the upcoming season’s influenza vaccine, making the vaccines a trivalent (H1N1, H1N2, and B/Victoria lineage strains).

You can find more details on the information shared during this meeting at the following links:Use of Trivalent Influenza Vaccines for the 2024-2025 U.S. Influenza Season

FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee March 5, 2024 Meeting Announcement

V-safe Available for RSV and COVID-19

V-SAFE is a surveillance tool which helps provide information on the vaccination experience of patients. Patients can use any device to sign up and share their experience. Once they are registered they will get periodic text messages with quick survey questions on how they are feeling, etc. V-SAFE is currently open to patients that have received COVID-19 vaccine or RSV vaccines. The CDC is asking for provider’s help to encourage patients to share their experiences. You can find more information about V-SAFE at the following link: V-safe | CDC

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.

Vaccine Storage Labels

The Vaccine Storage Labels for routinely recommended vaccines are now live on the CDC website. These include new vaccines such as RSV. 

These labels can also be found on the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit page along with other storage and handling resources.