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The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) is pleased to host an educational lunch and learn on Thursday, December 14, 2023 @ 12 PM, to discuss Respiratory Season: Immunizations for infants and adolescents webinar. This one-hour webinar will dive into the COVID-19 vaccines available this season through the Maine Immunization Program. We will also discuss RSV and Flu recommendations for the 2023-2024 respiratory season.
MIP Educator will cover the most up-to-date recommendations as well as disease prevention and will be joined by a representative from Pfizer’s medical team to discuss pediatric/adolescent COVID-19 vaccines and a representative from Moderna to discuss pediatric/adolescent COVID-19 vaccine and a medical science liaison from AstraZeneca to discuss FluMist, followed by a Question and Answer session.
Please join us for this exciting opportunity to learn more about which respiratory vaccines are available this season through MIP.
Maine Immunization Program is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Respiratory Season - Immunizations for Infants and Adolescents Webinar
Time: Dec 14, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 852 3593 6402
Passcode: 97711142
Dosing During Product Shortage
Recommendations for using 50 mg doses remain unchanged. All infants <8 months of age who are <5 kg on the day of administration should receive a 50 mg dose of nirsevimab.
The supply of 100 mg doses is anticipated to be limited during the 23-24 RSV season. CDC has made the following interim recommendations:
- 100 mg nirsevimab doses should be prioritized in infants at highest risk of severe RSV disease:
- Young infants aged <6 months.
- American Indian and Alaska Native infants aged <8 months.
- Infants aged 6 to <8 months with conditions that place them at high risk of severe RSV disease: premature birth at <29 weeks’ gestation, chronic lung disease of prematurity, hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, severe immunocompromise, severe cystic fibrosis (either manifestations of severe lung disease or weight-for-length less than 10th percentile), neuromuscular disease or congenital pulmonary abnormalities that impair the ability to clear secretions.
- Avoid using two 50mg doses for infants weighing ≥5 kilograms (≥11 pounds), because 50mg doses should be reserved only for infants weighing <5 kilograms (<11 pounds), for example those born during the season who will be at increased risk for severe RSV illness because of their young age. Furthermore, providers should be aware that some insurers may not cover the cost of two 50mg doses for an individual infant.
The AAP developed a visual guide for Nirsevimab administration to babies.
Nirsevimab Administration (aap.org)
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Participation in the Bridge Access Program requires that providers offer COVID-19 vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to uninsured individuals. Patients should not be asked to pay administration fees. Healthcare providers participating in the Bridge Access Program should not charge uninsured COVID-19 vaccine recipients administration fees as these costs are covered by the federal government.
Pharmacies participating in the Bridge Access Program are also required to offer COVID-19 vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to uninsured individuals. The Bridge Access Program provides a per-dose payment to pharmacies to facilitate the administration of COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies, relying on vaccine manufacturers' public and private commitments to provide COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to uninsured adults.
- CVS and Walgreens do not use a voucher system under the Bridge Access Program. To determine whether patients are eligible for the program, these retail pharmacies ask patients about their health insurance status at the point of care.
- Uninsured or underinsured people seeking COVID-19 vaccination at a pharmacy under eTrueNorth must register on the eTrueNorth website to receive a voucher for vaccination.
- Questions about the vouchers issued by eTrueNorth should be directed to support@eTrueNorth.com.
- Individuals can call the eTrueNorth customer support team at (800) 635-8611 to get assistance with completing the voucher process.
- Registration can be performed prior to visiting the participating pharmacy or in real-time at the pharmacy location via smartphone access or telephonically.
- CVS and Walgreens do not use a voucher system under the Bridge Access Program. To determine whether patients are eligible for the program, these retail pharmacies ask patients about their health insurance status at the point of care.
- CVS is not currently providing pop-up or community site clinics. Organizations interested in setting up a community clinic by working with a pharmacy participating in the Bridge Access Program should reach out to Walgreens or eTrueNorth via these channels:
- Among pharmacies participating in the Bridge Access Program, only CVS is currently carrying Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.
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The Vaccine Educator will be housed in Augusta, ME with staff at the Maine CDC office. The Vaccine Educator position is a full-time, 40 hour per week position that is eligible for MCD’s benefit package. This role will be responsible for ensuring that enrolled providers in the Maine Immunization Program meet minimum Vaccines for Children (VFC) program standards for eligibility screening, storage and handling of all vaccines, staff trainings, partnerships, outreach, and education activities in the community. This position requires travel throughout Maine to enrolled provider locations to complete assigned VFC compliance site visits, and also assist with as needed vaccine transfers.
Successful candidates will have experience conducting healthcare-provider visits, have great communication skills and knowledge of vaccines and immunizations. In addition, he/she will have general knowledge of program, business development, operations, HR and financial management.
This position is funded through June 2025.
Please visit MCD website to apply. |
