Actions requested
BE AWARE that on Sept. 11, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and/or authorized for emergency use new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. Then, on Sept. 12, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended everyone 6 months or older get a new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC’s new, updated (2023–2014) COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are as follows:
- Unvaccinated children 6 months–4 years old should get a multidose initial series (2 doses of Moderna or 3 doses of Pfizer).
- Previously vaccinated children 6 months–4 years old should get 1 or 2 doses (timing and number of doses depends on previous COVID-19 vaccine received).
- Regardless of previous vaccination, people 5 years or older should get 1 dose at least 2 months after their last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
BE AWARE that the FDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. CDC’s Novavax recommendations remain unchanged.
REPORT unused bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as wastage and update your inventory in WAIIS.
- Indicate “Expired” in category and reason as “Expired Opened Multi-dose Vials.”
DISPOSE of deauthorized vaccine according to local medical waste guidelines.
BE AWARE that the federal government will no longer provide COVID-19 vaccine.
- Providers can get COVID-19 vaccine through:
- Childhood Vaccine Program
- Adult Vaccine Program
- Bridge Access Program
- Commercial marketplace
Background
On Sept. 11, 2023, FDA deauthorized previous bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer.
Vaccination remains the best way to prevent COVID-19 hospitalization and death and reduces the risk of long COVID. The new, updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines better protect against circulating strains of the virus. The vaccines remain safe and effective with rare serious side effects.
CDC will soon update its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines to provide additional guidance for clinicians. Co-administration of updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines is acceptable, but providers should help patients determine if they should get multiple vaccines at once or stagger them.
Most people can receive updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
- Children 6 months–18 years old can get updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines at no cost from providers in the Childhood Vaccine Program.
- Adults without health insurance can get updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines at no cost from providers in the Adult Vaccine Program and Bridge Access Program.
- In coming weeks, vaccines.gov will have an updated list of everywhere COVID-19 vaccine is available from the Bridge Access Program.
- Most health insurance will cover updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines for adults.
Novavax
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized and available in the United States for people:
- 12 years or older as a primary series.
- 18 years or older as a first booster.
FDA is evaluating an updated version of the vaccine. It may become available in coming weeks.
Additional resources
- CDC’s press release on fall/winter COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
- CDC’s guide on how to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
- Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccine information page
- Kitsap Public Health’s recent respiratory illness season bulletin
Contacting the health district
- Call: 360-728-2235 and leave a message. Includes reporting notifiable conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Leave the patient’s name, date of birth and disease.
- Fax: 360-813-1168.
This advisory is also posted on the health advisory page of our Provider Resources website, providers.kitsappublichealth.org.