 Updates
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Stop administration and return 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine using the Vaccine Return process once you receive your first shipment of the 2026-2027 formulation.
- Reconcile inventory of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines in the IIS using the category "Spoiled" and reason "Expired BUD"
- Remember to submit the return before inactivating the vaccine in the IIS
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Processing of COVID-19 vaccine orders has increased to twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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FluMist is currently unavailable to order in the IIS as our allocation has been exhausted.
- Ordering will resume when additional allocation is received.
Ordering Guidance
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Use last year's data to plan orders. Review your clinic's monthly vaccine administration from the 25-26 respiratory season and use the Recommended Order Quantity (ROQ) calculation to determine appropriate quantities.
- Use the Pediatric Respiratory Doses Administered Spreadsheet 2025-26 to review administration data from past seasons. Check out the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to see data for RSV, Flu, and COVID-19 vaccines.
- The ROQ calculator helps determine how many doses of vaccine your facility should order. The calculator does not account for seasonality or other factors that may impact need.
- If there is not enough vaccine in allocation, orders will be reduced based on the Vaccine Allocation and Equity Plan
- Allow at least 3 days for order approval from time of submission for accountability checks
- Orders need to be in "Pending State Approval" status in the IIS by close of business the weekday before the processing day
Additional Resources
Providers should continue to follow the current Department of Health (DOH) vaccination recommendations for children. This schedule reflects the current evidence-based standard of care for pediatric immunization. Read the full statement from the West Coast Health Alliance regarding childhood vaccines here.
CVP providers must maintain an inventory of the vaccines recommended for the patient population served. Providers that do not serve infant populations do not need to have RSV products in their inventory.
The Childhood Vaccine Program team at the Department of Health is currently operating with reduced staffing and appreciates your patience as we work through your questions and requests. Please allow us 72 hours to respond to non-urgent inquiries. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as our team works to support providers as efficiently as possible.
We also want to remind providers that respectful communication is expected in all interactions with Department of Health (DOH) staff. Threatening or inappropriate language directed toward DOH staff is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
Providers can help reduce delays be taking a few simple steps:
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Read REDCap and IIS notifications in their entirety. Many questions are answered within the notification itself, and reviewing the full message may prevent the need to send additional emails and wait for a response.
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Use a single email thread whenever possible. Sending multiple emails about the same issue may delay response times.
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Stay informed by regularly reading Vaccine Blurbs. Important updates, timelines, and program guidance are communicated through the Blurbs throughout the respiratory season.
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Double-check documents before uploading to REDCap. Ensure the correct documents are selected and uploaded to the appropriate record before submitting. This helps prevent processing delays and reduces the need for follow-up.
With the holidays quickly approaching, please plan your vaccine orders carefully to account for shipping delays and limited or unavailable shipping days. You may place orders outside your usual schedule as needed to maintain adequate inventory.
Keep enough vaccine on hand to cover potential delays, but avoid over-ordering. In the event of a power outage, excess inventory could lead to significant losses.
To help ensure orders are processed quickly, please make sure your accountability reports are up to date before placing an order. If needed, update your shipping hours in your provider agreement.
For more information, please visit our website and review the holiday shipping calendar.
Staying current on vaccine recommendations and administration guidance helps ensure that patients receive vaccines safely and effectively. Immunize.org offers several resources to support healthcare professionals in making vaccination decisions, preventing administration errors, and strengthening vaccine delivery. Share these resources with your team to reinforce safe vaccination practices, prevent errors, and support high-quality patient care.
- Use the updated Guide to Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years to determine whether a child needs two doses this season.
- Children ages 6 months through 8 years need two doses at least four weeks apart if they are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, have not received at least two previous doses before July 1 of the current year, or have an unknown vaccination history. Previous doses do not need to have been given in the same or consecutive seasons.
- Children who turn 9 before receiving their recommended second dose should still receive it.
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Don’t Be Guilty of These Preventable Errors in Vaccine Administration! now clarifies that using the wrong diluent generally requires repeating the vaccine dose. The exception is when the diluents for Merck's MMR (MMR II), MMRV (ProQuad), and varicella (Varivax) vaccines are mixed up, because all three use the same sterile water diluent.
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Getting Started: For the New Vaccinator provides practical guidance for new and experienced staff, covering:
- Vaccines and the diseases they prevent
- Who should be vaccinated, when, and how
- Responding to adverse events
- Patient education and communication
- Vaccine storage and handling
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The Respiratory Vaccine Provider Feedback Form is available on the Respiratory Season Resources section of the CVP webpage. Use the form to provide any feedback, thoughts, or suggestions on the 2026-2027 respiratory season. The form link will remain active throughout respiratory season and can be filled out multiple times.
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