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OPA COVID-19 Vaccines: January 3, 2022 Update

 

Happy New Year! January is a busy season for most pharmacists and the Ohio Pharmacists Association will continue to support your efforts to care for your patients during this pandemic. Please do not hesitate to contact us as needed.

NewFDA Approves the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Booster for Adolescents Ages 12-15
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine under emergency use authorization (EUA) as a single booster dose in adolescents ages 12 to 15. Additionally, they have authorized a shortened dosing interval of this booster dose to at least five months after completing the primary series. See the press release here. The updated fact sheet for healthcare providers will be made available to the public soon.

New FDA Approves a Third Dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 Vaccine for Immunocompromised Children Ages 5-11
The FDA has authorized a third primary dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under emergency use authorization to be administered at least 28 days after the two-dose regimen in children ages 5 to 11. The individuals must have undergone solid organ transplantation or been diagnosed with conditions to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. Note: Children ages 5 to 11 who are fully vaccinated and are not immunocompromised do not need a third dose at this time. The FDA continues to review the information and make future decisions for booster doses in this population. See the press release here. The updated fact sheet for healthcare providers will be made available to the public soon. 

Reminder: FDA Approves Two Oral COVID-19 Oral Antivirals 
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two oral antivirals, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, to treat COVID-19 in certain adults and pediatric patients.

Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) 
Paxlovid has been issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients ages 12 and older and weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) who have tested positive for COVID-19. This group also includes individuals at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. This prescription-only medication must be taken after a diagnosis of COVID-19 within five days of symptom onset. See more information in this press release from the FDA.

Other useful resources:

Merck’s Molnupiravir 
Molnupiravir has been issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who have tested positive for COVID-19. This group also includes individuals at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, or for whom alternative treatment options authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. This medication is available by prescription only and should be initiated after a diagnosis of COVID-19 within five days of symptom onset. See more information in this press release by the FDA.

Other useful resources:

Ohio Supply of Oral COVID-19 Antivirals 
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is receiving a limited supply of the oral therapeutics. At this time, they plan to distribute the oral antivirals to existing COVID-19 monoclonal providers. As supply increases, the state will deliver medications to additional providers. ODH will share updated guidance on COVID-19 treatment options as new products become available. If you have any questions, you may contact ODH at hpp@odh.ohio.gov for additional information.  

Reminder: $100 COVID-19 Medicaid Administration Fee Deadline Extended 
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Plan (MCP) leaders 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. The MCP leadership encourages pharmacies to assist Medicaid patients with accessing first, second, and booster shots through phone calls, walk-in appointments, and other personalized outreach. 

Reminder: Medicaid COVID-19 Patient Vaccine $100 Gift Card Incentive Deadline Extended 
Ohio’s managed care plans announced that the $100 gift card incentive for Medicaid patients receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been extended to June 30, 2022. 

  1. Pharmacies can receive Visa gift cards directly to give to patients. If you are an independent pharmacy vaccinator, please email RxCovidTracking@centene.com for your gift card needs. Thank you to those who have already responded with the projected gift cards needed.
    1. Once you get to 75% of your gift card allocation, please reach out to Attn: Meera Patel-Zook – Gift Card Request at RxCovidTracking@centene.com  so that they can ship out an additional allotment to your store.

Note: If you have received gift cards, please ensure that you track their use through the COVID-19 Vaccine Gift Card Tracker Example. Vaccinators can now add all the information for all MCOs in ONE tracker and send that tracker to RxCOVIDTracking@CENTENE.COM. 

Reminder: ODH COVID-19 Vaccine Reporting Requirements 
ODH reminds vaccinators to report vaccine administration within 24 hours of providing the vaccine to patients through the Ohio Impact Statewide Immunization Information System (ImpactSIIS). This will help provide an accurate picture of vaccine administration in the state. This will also help providers determine a patient’s eligibility for second and booster doses. ODH offers job aids and videos that will take you step-by-step through processes that are crucial for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients and sharing critical data. Visit the ODH Provider Training webpage for additional training resources.

Reminder: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Formulation Shipment
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will begin shipping out the new Pfizer Tris Sucrose adult/adolescent formulation (gray cap) starting January 4, 2022. To avoid administration errors, providers are asked to use up their remaining supply of the original purple cap before administering the new formulation. Providers who are waiting shipments of the new formulation but are low on current supplies of the Pfizer purple cap may contact the ODH Provider Call Center to request quick shipments of the purple cap product from the RSS warehouse. Here is additional information about the new formulation:

Storage and Handling

  • The new formulation will be called the Pfizer Tris Sucrose (gray cap)
  • The formulation will not require a diluent
  • A new update to storing guidelines is that the vials can be stored for up to 10 weeks at standard refrigerator temperature (35°F to 46°F).
  • Vials can ONLY be stored in an ultracold freezer (-130°F to -76°F) or a standard refrigerator (35°F to 46°F), NOT a standard freezer (-13°F to 5°F) attached to a standard refrigerator.
  • The vials cannot be stored in their original thermal shipping container long-term. Upon delivery, the vials must be moved either to an ultracold freezer or standard refrigerator
  • Vials stored in standard refrigerators must be stored towards the bottom of the refrigeration unit. Additionally, the vials should not be placed next to the temperature monitoring device or next to other refrigerated vaccines.
  • The new thermal shippers are disposable but come with temperature data loggers that must be returned. Instructions to return the loggers will be provided in the shipper.
  • See more details about storage and handling here: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 12 and Older (Gray Cap) - Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
  • ODH urges vaccinators to use existing supplies of the original purple capped formulation before ordering the newer formulation.

Training
ODH will be conducting training sessions on ordering, storing, and handling this new formulation. Please save the following dates. Additional links to the online webinar and recordings of the sessions will be provided soon. Pfizer will also be conducting future training sessions. Please visit https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/medical-updates for updated training sessions.

Ordering
Providers can request the new gray cap through Vaccine Ordering Management System (VOMS). Orders will be reviewed by ODH and be approved based on existing inventory. Delivery of the new product will begin January 4. Further details are as follows:

  • The minimum ordering quantity is 300 doses
  • Ordering is available through the “COVID-19 – Pfizer” order set in VOMS
  • Vaccinators requiring smaller quantities can order from the ODH Receipt, Stage and Store (RSS) Warehouse through VOMS
    • The minimum order is 60 doses (with 60 dose increments)
    • Ordering is available through the “COVID-19 – Pfizer RSS” order set in VOMS
    • Ordering will follow the standard Tuesday/Thursday/Friday delivery cadence

Note: The Pfizer pediatric formulation will only be available for direct shipment in 100 dose increments through the “COVID-19-Pfizer” order set. The RSS warehouse will focus on repackaging and distributing the new Pfizer Adult/Adolescent formulation into smaller quantities.

Helpful State Vaccine Resources and Information
The following resources are helpful for vaccinators to contact ODH regarding vaccine shipments:

  • COVID Vaccine Provider Call Center: 1-844-963-4829 (The ODH Provider Call Center is open daily from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and is no longer open on weekends)
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Resources website

    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.

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