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Georgia Chapter | American Academy of Pediatrics
October 25, 2023                            

BLAST COMMUNICATION


Georgia VFC Update: VFC Supplied COVID-19 & Nirsevimab 

This is an update from the Georgia Immunization Program regarding VFC supplied COVID-19 and Nirsevimab:
  • The Georgia VFC Program has been allocated a limited amount of Niversimab (Trade name Beyfortus-50 mg monoclonal antibody (MAB))
  • The Georgia VFC Program was not allocated any Beyfortus-100 mg MAB.
  • The Georgia VFC Program has not been allocated any 317 funded RSV vaccines for uninsured/underinsured adults.
The Georgia VFC Program will need to cap the number of Beyfortus doses VFC providers can request to 20 doses.  VFC Providers can request less than 20 doses, but the amount needs to be an increment of 5 doses.
  • Beyfortus-50 is now turned on in GRITS for VFC supplied requests.
  • CDC anticipates additional RSV MAB to arrive at McKesson depots every 2-3 weeks.

    ACTION REQUIRED: Please update your vaccine preferences in GRITS before ordering.  Otherwise, your clinics may not see the Beyfortus products.

    Friendly reminder: Clinics can place VFC vaccine requests, in GRITS, every 14 days.  Clinics will need to submit an inventory on hand count in GRITS if placing an order 14 days from their last submission.

On October 18, 2023, CDC shared two addendums (COVID19 & Nirsevimab) to the 2023-2024 VFC Operations Guide. Click here for a pdf of the addendums.
VFC Operation Guide COVID Addendum Inventory
VFC providers have until March 31, 2024, to meet the private inventory requirement for COVID-19 vaccines. This is a time-limited ramp-up period.
Important notes:
  • VFC providers are not required to meet the private inventory minimum requirements for COVID-19 vaccine if they do not intend to vaccinate their private pay patients.
  • The private inventory requirement for COVID-19 vaccines does not apply to VFC providers who serve only VFC-eligible patients.
  • Providers who do not maintain a private COVID-19 stock should share information with their privately insured patients about other ways to access COVID-19 vaccine in their areas (e.g., local public health clinics and pharmacies).
  • If COVID-19 demand is low, providers may ask the Georgia Immunization Program about ordering the minimum package size for their VFC patients.
Bi-directional Borrowing:
  • Providers may only borrow COVID-19 vaccine if the provider maintains private stock of COVID-19 vaccines, there is an order in process, and the provider is awaiting arrival of this shipment.
  • Providers must repay any borrowed COVID-19 vaccine (dose for dose) within one month and administer to the appropriate population.
  • Providers must complete and submit a vaccine borrowing report to the Georgia Immunization Program.
VFC Operation Guide Nirsevimab Addendum Inventory
VFC providers have until August 1, 2024, to meet the private inventory requirement for nirsevimab. This is a time-limited ramp-up period.
Important notes:
  • VFC providers are not required to meet the private inventory requirements for nirsevimab if they do not intend to vaccinate their private pay patients.
  • The private inventory requirement for nirsevimab does not apply to VFC providers who serve only VFC-eligible patients.
  • Providers who do not maintain a private nirsevimab stock should explore if other in-network insurance options are available for their privately insured patients to access
    nirsevimab in their areas (e.g., another local in-network practice or system that does have private inventory of nirsevimab, FQHC, RHC).
  • If nirsevimab demand is low, providers may ask the Georgia Immunization Program about ordering the minimum packaging for their VFC patients.
Bi-directional Borrowing:
  • Providers may only borrow nirsevimab if the provider maintains private stock of nirsevimab, there is an order in process, and the provider is awaiting arrival of this shipment.
  • Providers must repay any borrowed nirsevimab (dose for dose) within one month or after every 5 borrowed doses and administer to the appropriate population.
  • Providers must complete and submit a vaccine borrowing report to the Georgia Immunization Program.
Limited Availability of Nirsevimab in the United States— Interim CDC Recommendations to Protect Infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during the 2023–2024 Respiratory Virus Season
On October 23, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide options for clinicians to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the context of a limited supply of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization product recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants.

In the context of limited supply during the 2023–2024 RSV season, CDC recommends prioritizing available nirsevimab 100mg doses for infants at the highest risk for severe RSV disease: young infants (age <6 months) and infants with underlying conditions that place them at highest risk for severe RSV disease. Click here to view the Health Advisory.
The Chapter's Public Health Task Force is closely working with CDC, Georgia DPH, the Georgia Immunization Program, and Chapter members to understand and share updated information as it becomes available. 
Please contact Noreen Dahill at ndahill@gaaap.org with questions.
Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
1350 Spring Street | Ste 700 | Atlanta, GA 30309
phone: 404-881-5020 | fax: 404-249-9503 | www.gaaap.org

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