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The VVFC BackPage |
Guidance for the Hepatitis B Series during a Recombivax HB® Shortage
The manufacturing issue related to hepatitis B vaccine that Merck began experiencing in 2017 is expected to continue throughout 2018. As a result, Merck’s supply of pediatric hepatitis B vaccine will be intermittent during 2018 and Merck will not be distributing its adult hepatitis B vaccine. GSK has confirmed that it can continue to support full demand for pediatric hepatitis B vaccine in the United States throughout 2018, using a combination of monovalent pediatric hepatitis B vaccine and its DTaP-HepB- IPV pediatric combination vaccine (Pediarix). The expected monovalent supply will provide sufficient vaccine to cover the hepatitis B birth dose for all children as well as additional pediatric hepatitis B vaccine for second and third doses. CDC has developed guidance for providers that is available at the link provided below. The recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination of infants have NOT changed. Providers should continue to follow the recommended schedule outlined in the Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger. Updates for vaccine supply (and sample schedules) are posted on the CDC Current Vaccine Shortages and Delays web page located here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/clinical-resources/shortages.html
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), observed from April 21–28 this year, started on Saturday! NIIW is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. As part of this week, CDC announced the winners of its CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award, found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/profiles-2018.html
This annual award 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, BSNCarilion
Children’s Pediatric Medicine - Cyrelda Fermin, M.D.
Infant, Child & Adolescent Clinic - Cathie Harrington, PNP FNP
Wythe Physicians Practices
Eligibility: Clarification for Underinsured
Eligibility for the VFC Program as “underinsured” is rare. Unless insurance coverage for vaccines is verified by the provider prior to administration of vaccine, for the purposes of the VFC Program, these children are considered insured and are not eligible to receive vaccines at that immunization encounter. Note: Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible for federally purchased vaccines, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied for payment by the insurance carrier because the plan’s deductible has not been met. A child verified as underinsured is VFC eligible ONLY at a Federally Qualified Health Center/Rural Health Center (FQHC/RHC). Private providers cannot use VFC vaccine on underinsured children. Health Departments provide immunizations to underinsured and insured clients using vaccine purchased with other funding (not VFC funded vaccine).
IAC posts 19 translations of the MMR, MMRV, varicella, zoster-recombinant, and zoster-live VISs
As part of its cooperative agreement with CDC, IAC recently posted updated or new translations of the MMR, MMRV, varicella, zoster-recombinant (Shingrix), and zoster-live (Zostavax) VISs in Arabic, Burmese, Cambodian (Khmer), Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, Farsi, French, Haitian-Creole, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
New VISs
CDC has released updated VISs. They are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/current-vis.html
- DTaP (5/17/07)
- Hepatitis A (7/20/16)
- Hepatitis B (7/20/16)
- Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae type b) (4/2/15)
- HPV – Gardasil-9 (12/2/16)
- Influenza – Live, Intranasal (8/7/15)
- Influenza – Inactivated (8/7/15)
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) (2/12/18)
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella & Varicella (MMRV) (2/12/18)
- Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY & MPSV4) (3/31/2016)
- Serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) (8/9/16)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13) (11/5/15)
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPSV23) (4/24/15)
- Polio (7/20/16)
- Rotavirus (2/23/18)
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) (2/24/15)
- Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) (4/11/17)
- Varicella (Chickenpox) (2/12/18)
- Zoster / Shingles (Live) (2/12/18)
- Zoster / Shingles (Recombinant) (2/12/18)
Gold Star Awards (Feb/Mar)
Exceptional Immunization Rates
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville
Outstanding VVFC Compliance
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville