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 April 14, 2022, Wisconsin has administered more than 9.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including more than 1.9 million additional or booster doses.
- 64.2% of all Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose.
- 60.9% of all Wisconsin residents have completed the vaccine series.
- 33.8% of all Wisconsin residents have received an additional/booster dose.
Thank you, Wisconsin vaccinators, for your continued hard work and dedication.
Important Update on Vaccine Ordering Deadline via Survey
Effective Tuesday, April 19, all COVID-19 vaccine orders submitted through the COVID-19 Vaccine Ordering Survey must be submitted by noon on Tuesdays due to scheduling availability. This will not impact shipping or receiving of vaccines.
Vaccine orders will be viewable in WIR by Wednesday evenings to track any related updates to the order. If there are any questions or issues during the ordering process, please send an email to dhscovidvaccinator@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Surgeon General Call for Stories and Research on Health Misinformation
With an aim toward understanding the source and influence of misinformation, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a call for information from the public, including health care and public health workers, regarding experiences related to health misinformation.
Find details and a link to submit comments here.
Johnson & Johnson Expiration and Supply Update
Expiration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of a shelf-life extension for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for an additional two months. The shelf-life of this vaccine has increased from 9 months to 11 months. This decision is based on data from ongoing stability assessment studies that demonstrate that the vaccine is stable at 11 months when refrigerated at temperatures of 36o – 46o Fahrenheit (2o – 8o Celsius). This shelf-life extension applies to refrigerated vials of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine that have been held in accordance with the manufacturer’s storage conditions.
Supply
Doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine that providers have available on site or vaccine located at the hubs are set to expire between late August 2022 and early February 2023. Please continue to leverage the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Exchange to ensure your excess COVID-19 vaccine is available to vaccination sites with a need. In addition, please manage inventory using first in, first out storage and handling practices, and consistently check expiration dates at the following webpage: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Expiry Checker (vaxcheck.jnj).
Vaccinations for Homebound Individuals
It is important to increase access of the COVID-19 vaccine, including for people who are homebound. AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) conducts COVID-19 vaccination visits for people who are homebound. If you or a partner have identified someone who needs help accessing COVID-19 vaccines at home, reach out to your local or tribal health department or refer to this list of groups providing at home vaccination developed by 211 Wisconsin.
Local or tribal health departments can email dhscovidvaccinepublic@dhs.wisconsin.gov to be connected with AMI to schedule homebound vaccination appointments.
You can use the following language with the public:
Are you not able to get to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic? You can get vaccinated at home.
If you or someone you know has difficulty leaving home, has mobility concerns, or can travel but requires additional assistance in accessing a COVID-19 vaccination or booster, please contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or your local health department, or call 211 for information and assistance getting a COVID-19 vaccine at home or elsewhere.
New and Updated Resources
Updated Clinical Guidance from CDC
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MMWR: COVID-19 Mortality and Vaccine Coverage — Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, January 6, 2022–March 21, 2022
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MMWR: Notes from the Field: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection in 10 Persons Within 90 Days of Previous SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Infection — Four States, October 2021–January 2022
Updated Communication and Education Resources from CDC
In Case You Missed It
Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Program Webinar Schedule
Bi-weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Program updates are held every other Tuesday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The next webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 19.
Register for the meeting series here. Watch recordings of past webinars here.
Moderna Ancillary Kit Update
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments will soon include just one ancillary kit (one ancillary kit to one carton of vaccine, instead of two ancillary kits to one carton of vaccine). Vaccinators will begin to see this change later this month.
Reminder: Please Update Moderna Vaccine Expiration Dates
The Moderna vaccine is approved for use under an emergency use authorization (EUA) and does not have a final expiration date. The manufacturer has set up expiration dates that are far into the future to serve as placeholders. The vaccine has a dynamic expiration date, which can change over time as additional stability data become available. This placeholder date, which is far in the future, is intended to serve as a prompt for vaccinators to check the latest expiry information on the Moderna website.
To determine the expiration date, vaccinators should scan the QR code located on the packaging of the vial or carton or access the manufacturer’s website directly. Then, enter the lot number, and the expiration date will be displayed. CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Date Tracking Tool can also help providers keep track of the expiration date by lot number.
A reminder: please be sure to update WIR inventory when you accept the vaccine transfer in WIR.
DHS Hosting Shared Learning Forums on Advancing Health Equity
The DHS COVID-19 Response and Recovery Team is hosting Friday forums on advancing health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sessions are held on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. and are open to anyone across Wisconsin. They will feature a community leader sharing experiences, barriers, practices and lessons learned for advancing health equity.
Our April forums will spotlight the work being done to advance health equity in marginalized populations. Attend all the sessions or choose the ones that work best for you:
- Friday, April 15, 12-1pm: Domestic Violence (DV) / Sexual Abuse (SA)
- Friday, April 22, 12-1pm: Unhoused/Homeless/Food Insecure
- Friday, April 29, 12-1pm: People in Our Care (PIOC)
For registration, please go to:
https://dhswi.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsd-6srj8tH9La8kaecC3ZowRQB8nsG-E
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