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OPA COVID-19 Vaccines: June 1, 2021 Update

 

New Vaccine Ordering Procedure – Training Sessions This Week
Effective Monday, June 7, all enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers will be required to directly order COVID-19 vaccine doses each week using the Vaccine Ordering Management System (VOMS). This includes first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna products, as well as the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen vaccine). As this weekly responsibility shifts from ODH to providers, ODH is offering training and step-by-step guidance on the process, deadlines, and expectations June 2, June 3, or June 4.  See the attached directive for links to training sessions.

Pfizer Vaccine Availability
ODH shared that vaccinators in the community setting can access smaller lots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This is due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizing the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine administration to individuals ages 12 and above. Vaccinators who seek to order the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of the lot size, can answer the vaccine allocation survey below or contact Myriam Shaw Ojeda at mshawojeda@ohiopharmacists.org. Vaccinators can store thawed vaccine for longer times as the FDA has authorized extended refrigerator storage for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The directive allows for storage of unopened vaccine vials at refrigerator temperatures (2 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees Celsius) for up to one month. Vaccine providers can now store these vials in their refrigerators at the authorized temperatures instead of ultra-cold storage options. Additionally, the FDA has released a template standing order for the Pfizer vaccine allowing vaccination for individuals ages 12 and up.

Direction on Vaccine Lot Management and Expiration
ODH urges vaccinators to consider their wastage directive to minimize COVID-19 vaccine wastage while maximizing vaccination opportunities for every eligible Ohioan. The National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) has also urged vaccinators to closely monitor lot and expiration dates for vials received in the pharmacy using the CDC’s Vaccine Lot Number and Expiration Date webpage.  Vaccinators should then remove expired vials immediately to avoid accidental administration.

Here are additional resources:

Vaccine Allocation Survey for June 7, 2021
The Governor's office continues to facilitate vaccine allocation among independent pharmacy vaccinators. If you are contracted with the state as a vaccinator, please respond to the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Survey to share your allocation needs for the week of 06/07 to report your pharmacy's needs. If your responses have not changed, you do not need to respond to the survey.

This is the last week this survey will be available because of the new vaccine ordering procedure from ODH starting June 7. Please respond to the survey by Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

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 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and is no longer open on weekends)
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Resources website
  • ImpactSIIS Job Aids and Videos
  • ImpactSIIS help desk: email impact@odh.ohio.gov for assistance or call 1-866-349-0002.

    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. For further questions, please contact Myriam Shaw Ojeda, Fellow in Policy and Innovation, at mshawojeda@ohiopharmacists.org.

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