COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Newsletter 03.02.2022

VDH

The COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order has been updated to reflect recent CDC changes in guidance

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States with additional information to help vaccine providers determine the optimal interval between the first and second dose of an mRNA vaccine series, based on the individual patient. The additional considerations followed a thorough evaluation of the latest safety and effectiveness data, and evidence from hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccines that have been safely administered in the United States.

UPDATED: An added consideration is for an 8-week interval between the first and second doses of a primary mRNA vaccine schedule (Pfizer and Moderna vaccines). Vaccine safety data has shown a rare risk of myocarditis/pericarditis among recipients of mRNA vaccines, most commonly in young males shortly after the second vaccine dose. Additional data has shown that the small risk of myocarditis/pericarditis may be reduced and vaccine effectiveness increased by increasing the interval between the first and second doses of the mRNA vaccine. Per CDC, an 8-week interval may be optimal for some people aged 12 years and older, especially for males ages 12–39 years.
- It’s important to note this update does not apply to everyone. Providers should continue to recommend the 3-week or 4-week interval for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, adults aged 65 years and older, and others who may need early protection due to concern about an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or high levels of community transmission. People aged 12 years and older with moderate or severe immunocompromise should receive three doses in their mRNA primary vaccine series and should receive a booster dose with an mRNA vaccine at least 3 months after completing their third primary series dose.

UPDATED: CDC has updated the list of certain underlying medical conditions that are associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Additional disabilities included within this list are primary immunodeficiency and physical inactivity. The resources contain summarized data used to inform the findings, an explanation of the review process, and a list of actions that health professionals can take to care for their patients.

NEW: COVID-19 Community Levels. CDC categorizes levels as low, medium, or high depending on the rate of new COVID-19 cases, the rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions, and the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. The community level metrics, which focus on the number of severe cases that require hospital care and use healthcare resources, are a measure of more serious disease and provide a better picture of COVID-19’s impact on the health of individual people and communities. Community levels show the strain that COVID-19 is having upon the healthcare system. The COVID-19 Community Level metrics will help people and public health authorities decide which prevention measures to take on an individual and household level, and on a population level. Visit the CDC page for the full set of recommendations.
- VDH is working to update web pages, guidance documents and other associated materials to align with CDC guidance.

NEW: CDC has assembled a collection of manufacturer instruction videos for using FDA-authorized, rapid, COVID-19 self-tests.

FDA

UPDATED: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Authorizes Revisions to Evusheld Dosing. FDA recently announced a modification to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 therapeutic Evusheld (tixagevimab along with cilgavimab). The modification involves a change to the dosing regimen. Evusheld now should be administered as an initial dose of 600 mg (300 mg tixagevimab and 300 mg cilgavimab, both given by intramuscular injection). Individuals who already received the previously authorized initial 300 mg dose should receive a second Evusheld dose (i.e., another 150 mg of tixagevimab and 150 mg of cilgavimab) as soon as possible. Recommendations will be made in the near future when more data are available to determine the appropriate timing of redosing (e.g., 3 or 6 months after the prior dose).

UPDATED: Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers. This update discusses frequently asked questions about serology testing and includes: the basics of antibody testing, why antibody tests are not for use to check immunity, and results and terms of antibody testing.

VDH External Web Updates
- VDH Interim Guidance for Prevention of COVID-19 in Non-Healthcare Congregate Settings (formerly VDH Table of COVID-19 Prevention Recommendations for Non-Healthcare Congregate Settings). Located Congregate Settings page - under General Resources, Correctional Facilities page - under Setting Specific Resources, and Homeless Shelter page - under Setting Specific Resources.
- Outbreaks
  - LTCFs and Group/Congregate Residential Program Settings
  - VDH Guidance for Prevention of COVID-19 in Non-Healthcare Congregate Settings (update)

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