The BackPage - September/October 2021

Submitting Vaccine Orders and Provider Agreements

Please do not submit VFC/VFA vaccine orders or VFC/VFA Provider Agreements directly to your VA Vaccine Quality Assurance (VVQA) regional consultant. All vaccine orders and provider agreements must be reviewed through and approved by the Division of Immunization (DOI) Order Center. Sending the documents directly to your regional consultant may create processing delays. All vaccine orders and provider agreements may be scanned and emailed or faxed directly to the DOI Order Center at vvfc@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-8090.

VIIS Survey

Please take and/or share ImmunizeVA's VIIS Survey. The survey aims to better understand the barriers to using Virginia’s Immunization Information System (VIIS) encountered by key groups of healthcare providers. The survey is intended for healthcare providers. Please help us share it with healthcare providers across VA! It will only take 5 min to complete the survey.

Take the Survey

Temperature Excursions

Vaccines exposed to a temperature excursion are to always be stored under appropriate conditions, labeled “Do Not Use – Awaiting Further Guidance” until the vaccine manufacturers have been contacted to determine stability. Please do not assume the vaccines are spoiled. When you contact the manufacturers, please request stability letters and forward the letters to the DOI order center by emailing them to vvfc@vdh.virginia.gov or faxing them to 804-864-8090.

Temperature Excursions

Holiday Preparations

Vaccine shipments from McKesson will be HELD:

October 11th, November 2nd, 11th, and 24th.

December 22nd-24th and 29th-31st. Orders entered by noon on December 10th should arrive before the break.

The Order Center will not enter direct-ship orders to avoid deliveries from Merck during these time periods. However, a few direct-shipments might arrive from Merck since they cannot be held as done with refrigerated vaccines shipped by McKesson. Providers should indicate any changes to routine hours on the order form and should order vaccine mindful of their Holiday closures.

Simultaneous Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day, as well as coadministration within 14 days. If multiple vaccines are administered at a single visit, administer each injection in a different injection site. For adolescents and adults, the deltoid muscle can be used for more than one intramuscular injection administered at different sites in the muscle.

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Flu Vaccine is Available

Contact Susan Kocen about which brands are available now. (susan.kocen@vdh.virginia.gov)

July and Aug 2021

Outstanding VVFC Compliance

Infant, Child, & Adolescent Clinic, Alexandria

Practice of Carlos A. Cruz, Alexandria

Woodbridge Pediatrics, Woodbridge

Adult Vaccine Update

Prepare for Flu Vaccine

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SHINGRIX Update

The FDA granted a new indication for the adjuvanted zoster vaccine recombinant (RZV; Shingrix, GlaxoSmithKline) to prevent herpes zoster in adults ages 18 years and older who are or who will be at increased risk for shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by disease or therapy. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has begun discussions to consider recommendations for use of Shingrix in immunocompromised adults.

SHINGRIX is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles):

In adults aged 50 years and older.
In adults aged 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of HZ due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.

Limitations of Use (1):

• SHINGRIX is not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection (chickenpox).