ACTIONS REQUESTED
BE AWARE that updated (2024–2025) COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and authorized by the FDA. The new formulations provide better protection against currently circulating COVID-19 variants. For more information, see:
- FDA press release for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
- FDA press release for updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
- CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) includes this new formulation in its 2024–2025 COVID-19 recommendations.
- The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
DISCONTINUE USE of the 2023–2024 Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. These formulations are no longer authorized by the FDA.
- Immediate action for remaining inventories: 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States and should not be administered. To minimize risk of vaccine administration error, providers should:
- Remove any/all 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines remaining from storage units immediately.
- Once all inventory is fully accounted for, delete 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine listings from the available vaccine inventory in your Immunization Information System, as applicable.
- Providers should return or dispose of these vaccines using the normal process for returning spoiled/expired vaccines in the IIS.
BE AWARE that there are two types of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the United States:
- mRNA vaccines
- Moderna 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine – available for ages 6 months and older
- Pfizer 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine – available for ages 6 months and older
- Protein subunit vaccines
- Novavax 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine – available for ages 12 years and older
- As an adjuvanted vaccine, Novavax is an alternative for people who prefer not to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine due to a prior adverse reaction.
- Novavax 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine – available for ages 12 years and older
- There is no recommendation for any one COVID-19 vaccine over another when more than one recommended and age-appropriate vaccine is available, regardless of previously received doses.
- Children 6 months-4 years may need more than one dose of an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.
- People 6 months and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should complete a primary series with an age appropriate 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine and may receive additional doses of the updated 2024-2025 at least 2 months after their last dose.
BE AWARE that availability of the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines remains limited and varies by location. Refer patients to Vaccines.gov for information about accessing updated vaccines.
If you need guidance on ordering updated COVID-19 vaccine, please contact Kitsap Public Health by emailing immunizations@kitsappublichealth.org.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines
- FDA’s Resources for Fall Respiratory Illness Season
- DOH’s Getting Vaccinated to Protect Against COVID-19 Illness (wa.gov)
- Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Healthcare Providers \
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.