|
To: Maine Immunization Providers
From: Maine Immunization Program
Subject: COVID-19 Vaccine Reminders
Date: March 14, 2023
Important COVID-19 Expiration Reminders
Over the next several months we will be seeing COVID-19 vaccinations that will be set to expire. This document serves as a reminder to providers on what to expect moving forward and steps for checking expirations and discarding doses.
J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
All J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine doses expired on February 24, 2023, except for doses that began shipping January 15, 2023 (LOT# 216D21A). These remaining doses will expire on May 6, 2023.
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
Expiration dates of Novavax and monovalent Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are approaching.
- Novavax – only keep vials with April 30, 2023, expiry.
Monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- Moderna’s monovalent products for individuals aged 6 and older are set to expire in early April with no anticipated expiration extension.
- Moderna 10 – everything must be disposed of and recorded as waste on April 2, 2023.
In anticipation of the upcoming expiration of Moderna monovalent vaccines, providers should keep in mind:
- The U.S. Government will accept orders for Moderna (12+ years) and pediatric (6-11 years) monovalent COVID-19 vaccines through March 13, 5:00 p.m. to support primary series vaccinations.
- After ordering for the Moderna monovalent vaccines ends on March 13, providers will need to order alternative vaccines from Pfizer (6 years and older) and Novavax (12 years and older) for individuals seeking monovalent, primary series vaccines.
- Administration sites should be mindful of patients starting their primary series with Moderna adult (12+ years) or pediatric (6-11 years) monovalent vaccines. Depending on the date, they may not be able to complete their primary series with this product. In this case, a different COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to complete the primary series at a minimum interval of 28 days from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Please read CDC guidance on interchanging COVID-19 vaccines.
- The U.S. Government has an ample supply of monovalent vaccines produced by Pfizer (6 years and older) and Novavax (12 years and older) to begin and complete primary series vaccinations.
Ordering for Moderna bivalent vaccines for all age groups will remain available.
Please check the expiration dates of vaccine in your storage unit weekly. Expiration dates can be checked by using the manufacturers’ online expiry checking tools:
If you have vaccine that has expired, please be sure to:
- Remove expired vaccine from storage units and discard.
- Check the expiration date prior to preparing or administering the vaccine.
-
NEVER administer expired vaccine.
- If expired vaccine is inadvertently administered:
- For persons seeking vaccine who have not completed a primary series, see Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC.
Ancillary Supply Kit Expiration Dates
Checklist for ancillary supply kits:
- Check expiration dates before using any ancillary kit supplies or other medical equipment. This includes diluent, when needed.
- Do NOT discard the entire COVID-19 vaccine ancillary kit based on the date printed on the box’s ancillary kit label. The expiration date printed on the box’s ancillary kit label does NOT apply to supplies with an expiration date printed on each item’s packaging.
- Note that expiration dates for masks and face shields are displayed on the ancillary supply kit label.
- Please keep in mind that expiration dates for other supplies (needles, syringes, alcohol prep pads, etc.) are printed on the individual packaging of each item.
- Discard any expired items according to state and local regulations.
Resources:
COVID-19 Vaccination Program Operational Guidance | CDC
COVID-19 Vaccine: Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals (cdc.gov)
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC
Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC
CDC COVID Data Tracker: Vaccinations in the US
COVID-19 Vaccine Handling Toolkit (usp.org)
If you have any questions, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at (207) 287-3746 or email: ImmunizeME.DHHS@maine.gov.
|
