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Immunizing During COVID-19
Featured Updates
CDC: Vaccine Administration Resource Library
Provides videos and references for vaccine providers including information on administration technique, needle gauge and length, and more.
October 2020 ACIP Immunization Update
Learn the latest immunization recommendations as discussed during the August and October 2020 ACIP Meetings and recent updates pertaining to COVID-19.
An APhA quick guide to help you identify key components of the CDC VFC recommendations.
HHS Vaccine Authorities During COVID-19
APhA Know the Facts: Authority to Immunize Against COVID-19 (March 26)
A comparison chart about the requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy interns (active, inactive or retired), as well as pharmacy technicians to provide COVID-19 vaccines under new HHS authority during the public health emergency. (PDF)
APhA Education During COVID-19: Pharmacy-based Immunizations for Pediatric Patients (October 1)
This new program meets the minimum 2 hours of ACPE-accredited, immunization-related CPE required in HHS’s authorization under the Prep Act. (CPE)
APhA Weekly Open Forum Webinar: New HHS Vaccine Authorities (September 17)
Learn the requirements under these authorities and the ongoing actions being taken at the state and federal levels so pharmacists can engage in expanded vaccine services. (Video - Slides)
Well-Child Visit Templates: Tools to Meet HHS Requirement (September 9)
A Task Force on Pharmacist Engagement in State-Based COVID Vaccination developed three tools for use by pharmacists to satisfy the well-child visit requirement under the HHS Amendments authorizing pharmacists to administer childhood and COVID-19 vaccines.
Well-Child Visit Brochure (PDF)
Template Referral Form Well-Child Visit (Word)
Well-Child Checkup Letter (Word)
APhA Immunization Education Library
A collection of CE to help pharmacists meet requirements under the new authorities to provide immunizations. (Real-Time)
Public Resource Links
HHS's announcement, HHS Amends PREP Act Declaration, modifies and clarifies the pharmacist training requirement and the pharmacist, pharmacy intern and pharmacy technician CPR requirement. (December 3)
HHS’s Advisory Opinion provides clarification for states implementing its recent childhood and COVID-19 vaccination authorizations during the pandemic. (October 22)
HHS’s guidance authorizes pharmacy technicians and state-authorized pharmacy interns to administer childhood and COVID-19 vaccines and tests. (October 20)
HHS’s announcement, Trump Administration Takes Action to Expand Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, authorizes pharmacists to order and administer—and pharmacist interns to administer—COVID-19 vaccines, when available. (September 9)
View the HHS announcement, HHS Expands Access to Childhood Vaccines during COVID-19 Pandemic, authorizing pharmacists to order and administer vaccines to children nationwide during the public health emergency. (August 19)
CDC’s Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers includes a section on maintaining childhood immunizations and well-child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Real-Time)
Providing Immunizations
APhA Know the Facts: Vaccine Storage and Handling (September 18)
A quick guide to help you identify key components of the CDC VFC recommendations. To protect the integrity of vaccine supply and to secure access to vaccine supply provided by federal and state entities, pharmacists should strive to adhere to these CDC-reviewed recommendations. (PDF)
APhA Weekly Open Forum Webinar: Phall, Phlu, Pharmacy Amidst COVID-19 (September 10)
Learn about recommendations for the upcoming influenza season, the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and new approaches to immunization activities in your practice. (Video - Slides)
APhA Know the Facts: Vaccination Basics: A Guide for Pharmacists Vaccinating During the COVID-19 Pandemic (July 8)
While scientists around the world work to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), many pharmacists remain on the front line, providing essential patient care services during this public health crisis, including vaccinations. Here are vaccination FAQs. (PDF)
APhA Weekly Open Forum Webinar: Immunizations; Testing (May 28)
Watch the latest information on national recommendations for pharmacists providing immunizations during the pandemic, considerations for the upcoming fall season, and an update on COVID-19 vaccine development. APhA staff also provided an update on billing and payment for COVID-19 testing. Our guest speaker was Dr. L.J. Tan, Chief Strategy Officer for the Immunization Action Coalition. (Video - Slides)
Public Resource Links
CDC's Vaccine Administration Resource Library provides videos and references for vaccine providers including information on needle gauge and length, I.M. injection adults 19 years of age and older, and I.M. injection children 7-18 years of age (Real-Time)
CDC’s Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic provides a collection of federal resources designed to guide vaccine planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Real-Time)
CDC’s Guidance for Pharmacies includes a section on providing routine clinical preventive services that require face-to-face encounters, including adult vaccinations, based on local conditions. (Real-Time)
CDC's Mass Vaccination Clinic Guidance will help you with clinical and COVID-19 considerations in planning for and implementing satellite, temporary, or offsite vaccination clinics. (Real-Time)
Immunization Schedules During COVID-19
APhA Education During COVID-19: October 2020 ACIP Immunization Update (November 10)
Learn the latest immunization recommendations as discussed during the August and October 2020 ACIP Meetings and recent updates pertaining to COVID-19. (CPE)
APhA Education During COVID-19: Adult and Adolescent Immunization Schedules (October 27)
Become more knowledgeable about the adult and adolescent immunization catch-up schedules and guidance from the CDC to protect individuals from vaccine-preventable diseases due to the hesitancy brought by COVID-19. (CPE)
APhA Education During COVID-19: Catch Up and Keep Up with Immunizations in the Era of COVID-19 (September 15)
This activity focuses how pharmacists play a vital role in assisting children and their parents in catching up on missed vaccinations that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. (CPE)
Public Resource Links
CDC's Frequently Asked Questions About Shringrix includes guidance for vaccination with Shingrix during the COVID-19 pandemic (Real-Time)
CDC’s Schedule Changes and Guidance provides up-to-date vaccine recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Real-Time)
Advocacy on Immunizations
APhA Advocacy Leads to PREP Act Amendment (December 3)
After outreach from APhA and other pharmacy organizations, HHS modifies and clarifies the pharmacist training requirement under the authority to order and administer childhood and COVID-19 vaccines in an amendment to the PREP Act. The amendment also clarifies the CPR requirement for pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians.
CDC Updates to Playbook 2.0 for COVID-19 Distribution (October 29)
After feedback from stakeholders, including APhA, CDC has released an updated playbook for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. APhA is working with CDC and HHS to ensure that all willing and able pharmacies are able to administer COVID-19 vaccine.
Supply Chain Coalition Releases Guiding Principles for COVID-19 Vaccine Access (October 22)
APhA and colleague organizations representing the U.S. pharmaceutical supply and payment chain announced seven guiding principles for safe and efficacious development, distribution, allocation, and mass immunization against COVID-19.
HHS Issues Advisory Opinion in Response to APhA and NASPA’s Efforts (October 22)
On October 22, HHS issued an Advisory Opinion to clarify barriers to pharmacists’ authority to provide childhood and COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. HHS addresses questions regarding less stringent existing state laws, regulations, and educational requirements and states requiring collaborative practice agreements.
HHS Temporarily Authorizes Pharmacy Technicians and State-Authorized Pharmacy Interns to Administer Childhood and COVID-19 Vaccines and Tests (October 20)
HHS issued federal guidance authorizing and granting liability coverage to both “qualified” pharmacy technicians and state-authorized pharmacy interns to administer ACIP-recommended vaccines (ages 3–18) and FDA-authorized or licensed COVID-19 vaccines and tests (ages 3 and older), including serology tests, during the Public Health Emergency, subject to requirements.
National Academies Implement APhA Recommendation to Prioritize Vaccinating Pharmacists as Phase 1a in New COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Report (October 2)
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) implemented APhA's recommendation to prioritize vaccinating pharmacists as Phase 1a in a new COVID-19 vaccine allocation report.
HHS Authorizes Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Vaccines (September 9)
On September 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued federal guidance authorizing pharmacists to order and administer (and interns to administer) COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized or licensed by FDA to all individuals age 3 or older, under certain conditions. (APhA News Release)
HHS Calls on Pharmacists to Expand Access to Childhood Vaccines during COVID-19 Pandemic (August 19)
On August 19, pharmacists achieved a major win when HHS authorized licensed pharmacists to provide all CDC ACIP-recommended and FDA-approved or licensed vaccines to children ages 3-18 nationwide during COVID-19. APhA, along with other national pharmacy organizations, advocated to HHS to provide this authority. APhA also joined the pharmacist community in thanking HHS’ bold action and urging them to work with us to also increase adult vaccination and distribution. (APhA News Release)
APhA Urges the States to Include Community Pharmacists in Vaccine Distribution Plans (August 19)
On August 19, APhA sent a joint letter to the National Governors Association (NGA) urging the states to use all willing and able community pharmacies in their plans for mass immunizations of COVID-19 and CDC ACIP-recommended vaccines.
APhA Urges Congress to Authorize Pharmacists’ COVID Testing and Immunization Services under Medicare in Next Pandemic Bill (July 24)
In a letter delivered on July 24 to Congressional Leadership, APhA requested immediate action to address the growing need to expand COVID-19 testing and immunization services by providing all pharmacists with temporary provider status in Medicare Part B.
APhA Asks HHS to Remove Barriers for Pharmacists to Provide COVID-19 Vaccines Nationwide (June 29)
On June 29, APhA joined 12 other national pharmacy organizations requesting HHS remove barriers now for pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines nationwide to all patients in preparation for when a vaccine is available. (Advocacy summary)
Key Links
