This email is being sent to local health officers, tribal health directors, COVID-19 vaccinators, COVID-19 vaccine stakeholders, HERC coordinators, and key DHS staff.
Reflection
As of September 29, Wisconsin has administered more than 6.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
- 56.6% of all Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose.
- 53.6% of all Wisconsin residents have completed the vaccine series.
Thank you, Wisconsin vaccinators, for your continued hard work and dedication.
Wisconsin Supports FDA Authorization, CDC Recommendation for COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Booster Dose for Certain Populations
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that certain populations who have increased risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
After rigorous review of all available data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended certain populations receive a booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series. In addition, the CDC Director recommended a booster dose for those in high-risk occupational and institutional settings. This followed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of a booster dose for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for certain populations on September 22.
DHS recommends that the following populations should receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:
DHS recommends that the following populations may receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their individual risks and benefits:
For more information, view the DHS news release on Pfizer booster shots.
Updated Clinical Considerations
The updated CDC Interim Clinical Considerations and the MMWR were released.
After ensuring all clinical requirements are met, vaccinators should accept verbal self-attestation as sufficient proof regarding eligibility for the booster dose of Pfizer. DHS will not supply an attestation form to vaccinators and does not recommend the use of written attestation forms.
Updated Emergency Use Authorizations and Standing Order
Expected Order Delays Thursday, September 30, and Friday, October 1
Due to the CDC’s federal fiscal year transition, vaccinators should expect a one- or two-day delay on COVID-19 vaccine direct shipment orders placed Thursday, September 30, and Friday, October 1.
- Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine direct shipment orders placed Thursday, September 30, or Friday, October 1, will be delivered on Wednesday, October 6, or Thursday, October 7.
- Pfizer COVID-19 direct shipment vaccine orders placed Thursday, September 30, or Friday, October 1, will be delivered on Wednesday, October 6, or Friday, October 8. Hub orders for Pfizer vaccine will not be affected.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your flexibility.
New Process to Streamline the Provision of COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Resources
DHS is launching a new process to streamline the provision of COVID-19 vaccination and testing resources to organizations that need support across the state.
Previously, local and tribal health departments (LTHD) were requesting COVID-19 vaccination and testing support through the WebEOC. Other entities, such as employers or community-based organizations, requested vaccination support through a survey found on the DHS website and testing support through their LTHD or other existing avenues.
As of September 29, LTHDs will request long- and short-term COVID-19 vaccination and outbreak testing support through a single survey link. Other entities (schools, employers, etc.) will also use this same link to request short-term vaccination support only. For long-term vaccination support, they will be directed to their LTHD. If one of these entities clicks on the survey wanting testing support for an outbreak, they will also be directed to contact their LTHDs. If this entity identifies as a school, shelter, child care provider, jail, or correctional institution, they will be provided links to specific testing programs. LTHDs will be contacted prior to DHS providing vaccination or testing support to an organization in their area.
DHS encourages vaccinators to continue to have conversations with organizations in their community and support community-based vaccination initiatives.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response.
CDC Recommends Urgent Action to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People
CDC recommends urgent action to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks. As of September 27, 2021, more than 125,000 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in pregnant people nationally, including more than 22,000 hospitalized cases and 161 deaths. The highest number of COVID-19-related deaths in pregnant people in a single month of the pandemic was reported in August 2021.
Despite the known risks of COVID-19, as of September 18, 2021, only 31% of pregnant people nationally were fully vaccinated before or during their pregnancy. In addition, there are racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage for pregnant people. Healthcare providers should communicate the risks of COVID-19, the benefits of vaccination, and information on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Healthcare providers should strongly recommend that people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future receive one of the authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.
View the PDF of this CDC HAN Health Advisory.
Key Inventory Messages
After 41 weeks of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, enrolled providers have vaccine inventory that has expired or may expire soon. Please check your inventory, dispose of expired vaccine, update vaccine inventory records, and submit vaccine wastage reports.
Check Inventory
- A significant amount of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that is in the field expired in September. Any vial of Johnson & Johnson vaccine that has a date prior to September 23, 2021, has now expired. There will be no more extensions. Look up Johnson & Johnson vaccine expiration dates here.
- Look up Moderna vaccine expiration dates here. Moderna may announce shelf life extensions soon. Do not dispose of expired Moderna COVID-19 vaccine until there is a decision made about an extension. We recommend checking the website at the beginning of October.
- The COVID-19 Vaccine Lot Number report, available via CDC’s Vaccine Code Set Management Service, can help identify expired inventory. The report is updated daily with COVID-19 vaccine lot numbers and expiration dates provided to CDC by vaccine manufacturers.
- Update vaccine inventory records in Vaccines.gov.
Submit Vaccine Wastage Reports
New and Updated Resources
Updated Clinical Guidance and Morbidity and Mortality Reports from CDC
Updated Communication and Education Resources from CDC
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COVIDVaxView: Provides weekly and monthly data on COVID-19 vaccination uptake and vaccine confidence. Interactive tables and graphs can be viewed by key demographic and socio-behavioral indicators, at the jurisdictional, regional, and national levels.
In Case You Missed It
Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Program Webinar Schedule
Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Program updates are held on Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Register for the meeting series here. Watch recordings of past webinars here.
EMS Providers Able to Provide COVID-19 Vaccination Under Revised Standing Order
A revised standing order will enable Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and practitioners to administer COVID-19 vaccine, providing an opportunity for more partnerships at the local level that increase the capacity of vaccinators to meet community demands.
Vaccinators who are interested in engaging with local EMS are encouraged to reach out to their local EMS contacts directly to explore potential support and to collaborate with LTHDs to ensure all vaccinating partners are aware of local capacity.
Read the full message here.
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