Members should note updated vaccination guidance released by the State on Aug. 19^th that recognizes the newly authorized Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. For providers with vaccine supply, note the availability of some tools to identify expired or extended Moderna and Pfizer supply. The full vaccination guidance is available here, and new consent forms and checklists that include the Novavax brand are here.

Updates to the guidance include the following:

• On July 19, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the Novavax vaccine, adjuvanted for use in individuals aged 18 years and older. The protein subunit Novavax vaccine is administered intramuscularly as a primary series of two doses (0.5 mL each) three to eight weeks apart. Novavax is now the fourth COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• On July 21, 2022, the CDC updated the COVID-19 vaccine schedule for those eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by age, immunocompetency status, and vaccine product. These changes were made to reflect recent FDA EUAs for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines down to six months of age as well as the addition of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. An immunization schedule for individuals six months of age and older can be found here.
• The CDC endorses and recommends a clinical preference for individuals aged 18 years and older to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Pfizer, Moderna) or Novavax vaccine over the Janssen (also known as Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.
• The CDC has updated its Interim Clinical Considerations regarding the co-administration of orthopoxvirus and COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Storage and handling guidance has been updated to reflect updated guidance regarding the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.
• Expiration date information has been updated to provide a new Pfizer expiration date lookup tool website and inform providers of a Moderna expiration extension for some lot numbers.

Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871