CDC

• Due to the lack of supplemental funding from Congress, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has stopped accepting claims for reimbursement of costs associated with administering COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured and underinsured individuals as of 11:59 PM ET on April 5, 2022.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourages providers to stay in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program and CDC expects participating providers will continue to administer these life saving vaccines at no cost to patients to ensure equitable access for all individuals.  Where CDC becomes aware of a provider engaging in any of the following, CDC will consider taking any and all appropriate measures, including the possibility of rescinding the CDC provider agreement:
  • Administering COVID-19 Vaccine at any out-of-pocket cost to the recipient
  • Denying anyone vaccination, or differentially reducing appointment access, based on the vaccine recipient’s coverage status or network status
  • Charging an office visit or other fee if COVID-19 vaccination is the sole medical service provided
  • Requiring additional medical services to receive COVID-19 vaccination
  • Seeking any reimbursement, including through balance billing, from the vaccine recipient
  • For further information please see the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Requirements and Support webpage.

• CDC has noted that certain groups of people are eligible to receive and may benefit from a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine.  These groups include people aged 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised,  adults aged 50 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised,  and adults aged 18–49 years who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose.  People are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about whether a second booster dose would be beneficial.  If selected, a second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster.
  • Statement from Virginia State Vaccination Coordinator Christy Gray on recommendation of second COVID-19 booster dose for persons 50 years and older, immunocompromised individuals and Johnson & Johnson recipients
• CDC has launched a Quarantine and Isolation Calculator. The tool uses a series of guided questions to deliver its recommendations and also offers additional tips to help prevent viral transmission.

FDA

• On April 5, 2022, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deauthorized use of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab in the entire United States due to the high prevalence of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant.
• Therefore, sotrovimab may not be used for the treatment of COVID-19 under its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) until FDA reinstates the drug’s EUA.
• Data has shown that the previously FDA authorized dose of sotrovimab is unlikely to be effective against the Omicron BA.2 subvariant
• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the drugs bebtelovimab (Eli Lilly), molnupiravir (Merck) and Paxlovid (Pfizer) are likely to retain activity against the BA.2 subvariant

White House

• White House
  • The White House launches COVID.gov for a One-stop shop  - On March 30, 2022, the Biden Administration launched COVID.gov, a new one-stop shop website to help all people in the United States gain better access to lifesaving tools like vaccines, tests, treatments, and masks, as well as get the latest updates on COVID-19 in their area.

• HHS
  • Test to Treat Locator - The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) added a locator tool for Test to Treat sites to make it easier for individuals to find participating locations.

• The authorization of a second booster dose will NOT result in any changes to the current VaxMax ordering process. Please continue to submit vaccine requests based on your location’s projected weekly administrations.

• Moderna Ancillary Kit (2:1 to 1:1)
  • Based on information received from jurisdictional surveys, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments will now come with one ancillary kit (1 ancillary kit to 1 carton of vaccine,  instead of 2 ancillary kits to 1 carton of vaccine). All Moderna shipments will include only one ancillary kit. This change will take effect with orders placed beginning on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 10 am ET. 

• For questions about VaxMaX and its functionality, please visit the VaxMaX Help website, which includes reference guides and tutorial videos.

• Check out our complete list of COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Best Practices and our Lightning Learnings: Best Practices for Busy Providers!

Upcoming Events

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• The Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Preparedness partnered with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Services and Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association to conduct a virtual Community Based Emergency Response Seminar (CBERS) in April 2022. This year’s topic will be Mental Health Wellness and the Rippling Effects of COVID-19. Please join us as we discuss the different mental health issues that can affect us as we tackle responding to and caring for others during this pandemic. Participants will learn about the various types of stress caused by providing care to others during COVID, the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue, self-care, and coping strategies.
  • Target Audience: General Public Workers, Healthcare Workers, Emergency Management Workers, Disaster Shelter Workers, EMS/Fire Workers, Law Enforcement, Local Health Districts, VDH Staff, Clergy, Educators, Volunteers, Contractors, Retail Workers, and anyone working during COVID-19 who feels they have been affected by the pandemic.
  • A webinar connection link will be sent before those who register for this live webinar. For more information, see: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-preparedness/cbers-2022-mental-health-the-rippling-effects-of-covid-19/ or contact Adreania Tolliver at adreania.tolliver@vdh.virginia.gov.
  • Webinar Dates:
    • April 26th, 6pm to 8pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/220036072817
    • April 30th, 9am to 11am https://www.eventbrite.com/e/220076975157
  • Registration: Registration is required for each attendee. Please only register for one date to attend.
  • Cost: Free
  • CEUs: None offered at this time.

• (Updated) Vaccination FAQs - One new question regarding the definition of "up to date" and second boosters was added to the FAQs. Updated questions include the following:
  • COVID-19 Uninsured Program ending
  • Updated Pfizer and Moderna fact sheets
  • Status of vaccines for younger children
  • Vaccine protection- BA.2 variant
  • Allowance of second boosters for certain individuals with links to relevant studies.