March/April 2018

There is a new VIS for Recombinant Zoster. The MMR, MMRV, Varicella, and Live Zoster VISs have recently been updated and are now available. Providers are encouraged to begin using the updated MMR, MMRV, and varicella VISs immediately, but existing stocks may be used until exhausted.

Shingrix is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults aged 50 years and older. Shingrix is not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection (chickenpox). Administer 2 doses of Shingrix (0.5 mL each) at 0 and 2 to 6 months intramuscularly. Suspension for injection is supplied as a single-dose vial of lyophilized varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) antigen component to be reconstituted with the accompanying vial of adjuvant suspension component. Store the Lyophilized gE antigen AND adjuvant suspension components in the refrigerator between 2° and 8°C (36° and 46°F). Protect vials from light. Do NOT Freeze. Providers will be notified when Shingrix is available to order through the Division of Immunization.

To ensure federally purchased vaccine is used for those who are least able to pay for them, vaccines purchased with federal funds are not intended for insured individuals. Federally purchased vaccines are funded with VFC and Section 317 funds. VFC funded vaccine must be used only for VFC eligible children. Section 317 funded vaccine is used to support adult programs for public providers serving uninsured and underinsured adults.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to approve the Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children and Adults. Changes in the 2018 schedules can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/
A “16-year-old” column brings attention to several CDC-recommended vaccinations due to be administered at 16 years of age. These include:

• MenACWY dose #2 — recommended at age 16
• MenB dose #1 — recommended (category B) at age 16
• HPV “catch-up” — needed for those who have not yet completed their series
• Influenza vaccine — recommended seasonally
• Other vaccines — the 16-year-old platform provides a “catch-up” opportunity for patients who have fallen behind on other recommended vaccines

UPS return labels are emailed to providers when they have vaccine to send back to McKesson for the federal excise tax credit. When emailed, a unique UPS return label will be sent from UPS Quantum View [pkginfo@ups.com] to the contact email address. The subject of the email with the return label will be titled “UPS Label Delivery, .” Return labels may be available by email in about 15-30 minutes after the return is entered. If a return label is not received via email check your spam folder. Adding the email address pkginfo@ups.com to your address book will prevent the label from going to your spam folder. The return form has been updated and is located here:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/11/2016/04/return_form.pdf

Influenza vaccine purchased with VFC funds must be administered to VFC-eligible clients only. If VFC seasonal influenza vaccine in not available, providers may use private-stock seasonal influenza vaccine to vaccinate VFC-eligible children, then private stock doses used on VFC-eligible children may be replaced subsequently, when VFC stock becomes available. This one-directional borrowing is unique to seasonal influenza vaccine. VFC seasonal influenza stock cannot be used to vaccinate non-VFC eligible clients.

If you have not already done so, please reserve Influenza vaccine for the next flu season.

Exceptional Immunization Rates
Crestwood Pediatric Associates, Gainesville
Crestwood Pediatric Associates, Manassas

Outstanding VVFC Compliance
Crestwood Pediatric Associates, Gainesville
New River Valley Pediatrics, Blacksburg
Sentara Pratt Medical Group, Fredericksburg
Wythe Physicians Practices, Fort Chiswell

Immunization Champion Nominees
The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award is an annual award that recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization. The following are recognized for their stellar work in childhood immunizations in Virginia:

Donna Deadrick, BSN
Carilion Children’s Pediatric Medicine

Cyrelda Fermin, M.D.
Infant, Child & Adolescent Clinic

Cathie Harrington, PNP FNP
Wythe Physicians Practices