New FDA Updates J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated its emergency use authorization of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. The update limits its use to individuals 18 years and above who have clinical contraindications to using other COVID-19 vaccine options or cannot access other approved COVID-19 vaccines.
Examples of exclusions for using mRNA COVID-19 vaccines include:
The updated Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine and Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers can be used to share with patients and other providers.
New Pfizer Resources for Paxlovid COVID-19 Oral Therapeutic
Pfizer has created resources for healthcare providers (HCPs) about their COVID-19 oral therapeutic Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir, ritonavir tablets). Their general website Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets) For HCPs includes a therapeutic locator to assist patients and providers in providing information on nearby providers who stock the medication. The Pfizer Paxlovid Drug Interaction Checker site lets providers check for drug-drug interactions with Paxlovid.
New Merck Resources for Lagevrio COVID-19 Oral Therapeutic
Merck has made clinical resources for HCPs about their COVID-19 oral therapeutic Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Their website, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) For HCPs, has information on inclusion and exclusion criteria for using the oral therapeutic. Additionally, providers can access factsheets in English and Spanish for providers and patients.
New HRSA Information on COVID-19 Test to Treat Program
In support of the Biden-Harris administration's Test to Treat Initiative, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has shared resources for all health centers with pharmacy capacity to participate. The Test to Treat sites must provide comprehensive end-to-end services to all individuals, regardless of insurance status, with onsite or at-home testing resources. The site must be able to provide a clinical evaluation by a licensed health care provider with prescribing capabilities. Pharmacies associated with a prescriber's office can participate. For further information about the program, here is the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program | Bureau of Primary Health Care website. Providers can submit an inquiry regarding the Test to Treat program through the Health Center Program Support online and select "Coronavirus Inquiries (COVID-19)" as the issue type, or call 877-464-4772, option 2, 8 am to 8 pm ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).
NewHPIO Fact Sheet Details Medicaid Data on the Impact of COVID-19
The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) released an Ohio Medicaid Basics Update outlining trends in Ohio's Medicaid program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource includes changes to the Medicaid program, enrollment trends, and spending history during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reminder: ODH Updates Guidance on Ordering, Storage, and Handling of COVID-19 Vaccines
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) updated their guidance on ordering, storage, and handling of all available COVID-19 vaccines. This update has easy to follow guides on the different COVID-19 vaccine vials available for specific age groups. The guidance also includes information on storing vials following the expiration extensions for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vials and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine vials. If you have further questions, please email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov or call 1-844-9ODHVAX (1-844-963-4829) from 8 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Reminder: FDA Updates At Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Expiration Information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated their COVID-19 diagnostic test webpage to include expiration date information in their At Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests webpage. This is to help consumers find information in a centralized location. Additionally, the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions webpage was also updated to include information on using COVID-19 diagnostic tests after they pass their listed expiration date and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Reminder: ODH Announces COVID-19 Therapeutics for Pharmacies
The Ohio Department of Health announced that they are expanding their oral and injectable COVID-19 therapeutic provider network to include pharmacy providers. This expansion will allow ODH to ship the Pfizer oral therapeutic Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) and the Merck oral therapeutic, Molnupiravir for dispensing in pharmacies. A short onboarding process is required to receive these shipments. If your pharmacy is part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy (FRP) partnership, use this ODH Therapeutics FRPP Information Document. If your pharmacy is not part of the federal retail pharmacy network, use this ODH Therapeutics Site Information Document. Both documents contain information about enrollment, reporting, therapeutics locator, wastage management, and additional reference documents.
Reminder: Medicaid Patients Eligible for $100 Incentive for First COVID-19 Vaccine and All Booster Doses
The Ohio Department of Medicaid and Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) announced continued and additional incentives for Medicaid and MyCare patients to receive their COVID-19 vaccine series and booster shots. Here is additional information:
Reminder: $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fee
ODM and Ohio’s MCOs announced that the administration fee for COVID-19 vaccines is $100 for all COVID-19 shots, including first, second, and booster doses for Medicaid members, has been extended to June 30, 2022. See further details on the https://www.covidvaxonthespot.com/providers/ Provider and Pharmacy Resources webpage. The MCO leadership encourages pharmacies to assist Medicaid patients with accessing first, second, and booster shots through phone calls, walk-in appointments, and other personalized outreach.
OPA is working diligently to facilitate communication between state decision-makers and member pharmacists. OPA has created multiple COVID-19 resources, including a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Webpage, COVID-19 Testing Hub, and COVID-19 Resources Webpage, on the OPA website www.ohiopharmacists.org under the Resources drop-down box. Please contact Myriam Shaw Ojeda, Director of Pharmacy Extension and Public Health Initiatives, for further questions at mshawojeda@ohiopharmacists.org.