Shipping Delay Update

Shipping Delay Update

Good news- vaccine shipments are back on track!

However, due to the shipping delays and high volume of orders, there have been some problems with the vaccine shipments, including damage, shortage/overage, missing orders, shipping re-routes, etc. Please report any issues with a received order IMMEDIATELY as order problems that are not reported on the same day can affect the replacement process. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your partnership! 

Good news- vaccine shipments are back on track!

However, due to the shipping delays and high volume of orders, there have been some problems with the vaccine shipments, including damage, shortage/overage, missing orders, shipping re-routes, etc. Please report any issues with a received order IMMEDIATELY as order problems that are not reported on the same day can affect the replacement process. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your partnership! 

Fluzone Syringe Label Formatting Error

A formatting error in the 2-Dimensional (2-D) data matrix barcode on some Fluzone (influenza vaccine) syringe labels could cause the data to not transfer correctly in the EMR. While the NDC, expiration date, and lot number are correct in the 2-D data matrix barcode, the order of the lot number and expiration date were reversed.

The human-readable information on the syringe label including the NDC, expiration date, and lot number is correct.

Below is an example of a syringe label with a 2-D data matrix barcode that will be uploaded incorrectly by electronic scanners. This image also shows the location of the printed NDC, lot number (Lot), and product expiration date (EXP).

Please click here for a list of affected lots and a corrected 2-D data matrix barcode for each lot number.

Fall Vaccine Choice

Vaccine choice is occurring from Wednesday October 9^th through Thursday October 31^st.

During this time providers can fill out the Vaccine Choice form to request a change in the brand of vaccine they receive for vaccines with more than one brand available.

Please use the following link to access the form to request changes. You only need to submit a form if you are requesting a change. If you are keeping the same vaccines no form is needed.

Submit forms either by e-mail to WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov or by fax to 360-236-3811.

If you have any questions please contact Jacki Stockdale at jacki.stockdale@doh.wa.gov

Some vaccine choice highlights:

• Due to the Men B component and the inability to interchange the Men B vaccine, Penbraya will be available only to those that receive Trumenba as their Men B product.
• MassBiologics is no longer manufacturing their Td product, TdVax.  Once supply is exhausted and we are no longer under allocation, all providers will receive Tenivac. Td is no longer available on the vaccine choice form.
• If a vaccine is not on the Vaccine Choice Worksheet as an option, it indicates that there is only one brand for that vaccine and is automatically on all order sets.*
  • *Exceptions: Mpox is only available through special request. Seasonal vaccines have their own order set.

Vaccine Choice Worksheet (wa.gov)

IIS Bug Alert: Nirsevimab Records

Please be aware that there is currently a bug in the WAIIS that is causing the duplication of some nirsevimab (Beyfortus) immunization records. Our third-party technology vendor is currently working on solutions, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while they work to find a fix. 

If you discover a duplicated nirsevimab record in the WAIIS, deleting the extraneous dose will cause both records to be removed from the patient’s immunization history. If this occurs, re-adding the nirsevimab record will result in both the original and duplicated record re-appearing.

Inventory that is tied to an affected nirsevimab record may also duplicate, subtracting two doses instead of one from your WAIIS inventory.

To reconcile affected nirsevimab inventory in the WAIIS:

• Choose Category “Administered” and Reason “Administered and not linked to a vaccine” when your physical counts are less than your WAIIS Quantity on Hand.
• Choose Category “Correction” and Reason “Correction of invalid entry” when your physical counts are higher than your WAIIS Quantity on Hand.
  • Contact your clinic’s IIS System Administrator or waiishelpdesk@doh.wa.gov if you do not have the option to use this Category/Reason. For questions or assistance, reach out to us at WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov or IIS.training@doh.wa.gov. Codes and Crosswalks for RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibody products can be found here.

Temperature Logs Hot (and Cold) Tips!

Here are some tips for filling out your DOH Temperature Monitoring Logs that can help to avoid additional follow-up! 

• When recording temperature measurements on your Temperature Monitoring Logs, remember to include the negative sign for any temperatures below 0

• Make your temperature measurements as accurate and detailed as possible. Include a decimal point and values to the tenths or hundredths place if possible! This is especially helpful if your unit maintains consistent temperatures day to day. 

• If your facility is closed, write "closed" on that day's space on the log. A 'X' works too! 
• If the min/max temperature is the same day to day, you may need to reset your min/max recording each day. 
• While submitting digital data logger records is helpful, manual DOH Temperature Monitoring Logs are still required. 
  • This doesn't apply to providers who have been approved to 

Power of Providers Webinar: Preparing for the 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season

Infectious disease expert Eric J. Chow, MD, MS, MPH will discuss the epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 and summarize measures of community burden. He will review important mitigation strategies, vaccine recommendations and respiratory illness guidance as we head into the 2024-2025 respiratory viral season. 

Continuing education is available for allopathic physicians (MD), osteopathic physicians (DO), physician assistants, naturopathic physicians (ND), nurses (RN, LPN, ARNP), medical assistants, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

Date: Wednesday, October 16

Time: 12 (noon)  

Register Here 

What's Up Doc: VAXcess to Care Webinar

Pierce County Immunization Coalition and Washington Vaccine Association present an engaging panel of speakers to discuss access to vaccines in children and adults. The speakers will share perspectives from pharmacies, pediatrics, school based health center, and adult care. Discussion topics will cover data, vaccine access barriers, and creative solutions to increase vaccine access. 

Date: Thursday, October 17 

Time: 12 (noon) 

Registration is open for What's Up Doc: VAXcess to Care: It Takes a Village! 

Prevent RSV Immunization Errors

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center recently published an article about vaccine administration errors reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) involving RSV immunization errors. Many errors during the first RSV immunization season included administration of the wrong product to the wrong patient, such as giving RSV vaccine (Abrysvo or Arexvy) to an infant or Arexvy to a pregnant person rather than Abrysvo.

There are a few strategies noted in the article to prevent errors:

• Train clinical staff on the different indications for each RSV prevention product. 
• Be sure staff always checks product labels at least three times before administration to verify that the correct product is being administered to the patient.
• Consider implementing safeguards such as electronic alerts to prevent administration errors. For example, the electronic health record can be programmed to alert the provider if they erroneously order Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for a patient older than 19 months or at the wrong time of year.
• Facilities that stock both RSV vaccine for adults and nirsevimab should put systems and procedures in place to prevent mixing the products, including using warning labels that remind staff to double check which product they are taking.

When errors happen:

• Be sure that staff feel the work environment is supportive for reporting errors that are made.
• Inform the recipient or parent of the vaccine administration error.
• Determine how the error occurred and implement strategies to prevent it from happening again.
• Vaccinators should consult Reporting of vaccine adverse events for information on reporting to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) after COVID-19 vaccination. To file an electronic report, see the VAERS website.

Additional resources:

• Ask The Experts About Vaccines: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) | Immunize.org
• Vaccine Administration: Preventing Vaccine Administration Errors (cdc.gov)
• Chapter 6: Vaccine Administration | Pink Book | CDC

Stay Alert for Measles Cases

Measles cases continue to grow according to CDC's Measles Cases and Outbreaks web page: 

• As of September 19, 2024, a total of 262 measles cases were reported by 32 jurisdictions
• Thirteen outbreaks (3 or more related cases) have been reported in 2024, and 70% of cases are outbreak-associated. In 2023, 4 outbreaks were reported and 49% of cases were outbreak-associated.

Healthcare providers should continue to be vigilant and think measles in unvaccinated patients presenting with febrile rash and other symptoms of measles such as cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Make sure all your patients are up to date on measles vaccine, especially before international travel. People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles.

Additional resources:

• Stay Alert for Measles Cases
• Measles Cases and Outbreaks
• Measles (Rubeola): For Healthcare Professionals
•  Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings
• Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 7: Measles
• Measles Reporting and Investigation Guideline (wa.gov)

V-safe for COVID-19 and RSV Vaccinations

V-safe is CDC’s voluntary smartphone-based vaccine safety monitoring system. Patients can report side effects after COVID-19 and RSV vaccination. Please post a sign in the vaccination area encouraging patients or parents to enroll. It takes just a few minutes to register using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. After enrolling in V-safe, eligible people will receive short surveys via text messages or emails.

More information:

• V-safe-info sheet
• CDC: V-safe web page
• CDC: V-safe Registration web page

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.

When do you need to add a new provider agreement in the IIS? 

A new provider agreement is only needed in the following situations:

• Annual renewal 
• Signatory has changed
• Address has changed 
• Facility name has changed 

All other changes only require an update to your current provider agreement. To update your current agreement, simply email WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov and request that your agreement be returned in the IIS.