Vaccination Update
Vaccination Guidance Issued April 26th
Updated vaccination guidance was issued by the State on April 26th. For second-dose vaccination of individuals who have received their first dose out of state, the State recommends that vaccination providers enter an individual’s first-dose vaccination information into the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) or Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) using the individual's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination card. The individual’s primary care provider may enter the information into the system as well.
In addition, effective April 19th, Executive Order (EO) 202.102 eliminates the enhanced civil penalty for failure of a provider to administer its allocated COVID-19 vaccine within seven days of receipt. The elimination of this enhanced penalty is intended to give all providers flexibility in scheduling vaccination appointments if they need more than seven days to use a vaccine allocation. This flexibility is being given to providers at a time when the State has vaccinated more than half the adult population with at least one dose and demand for the vaccine has begun to steady. While the enhanced civil penalty has been eliminated, performance, throughput, effort, and effective administration of vaccines by providers will continue to be key factors in making future vaccine allocation decisions, along with equity, access, and regional positivity rates. While this change does not affect most LeadingAge NY members, as they are not directly ordering supply of vaccine, it may provide some scheduling flexibility with pharmacy partners.
J&J Vaccine Pause Lifted; CDC COCA Call Scheduled
On April 24th, the CDC lifted the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after a review of clinical concerns relating to rare blood clots associated with the vaccine. The vaccine’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fact sheet has been updated to reflect current considerations and recommendations moving forward.
Members are encouraged to attend the CDC’s April 27th Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call, or access the recording of the call, regarding the latest evidence on thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Speakers will discuss information on TTS and updated vaccine recommendations. To join the call, which will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., or access the recording, click here.