IMMUNIZATION UPDATES: COVID-19 & MONKEYPOX

As announced last week by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health, there have been important updates to two of Alberta's immunization programs:

COVID-19 vaccine for children under five.
Monkeypox vaccine eligibility expanded.

See below for more details on new eligibility requirements and booking details for COVID-19 and Monkeypox, as well as additional reminders on changes to Evusheld dosage and COVID-19 testing.

ELIGIBILITY & BOOKING DETAILS

Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 Vaccine

Children from six months of age to less than five years are eligible for the Moderna Spikevax (25 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine. Below is a brief overview of the vaccine series.

Two-Dose Series of Vaccine:

Immunocompetent children in above age range.
Second dose must be given at least eight weeks after first dose.

Three-Dose Series of Vaccine:

Moderately/severely immunocompromised children in above age range.
Second dose must be given 28 days after first, and third dose eight weeks after second.

Appointment bookings and vaccine administration for this new age group are active as of today (Aug 2) and will only be available at AHS sites. To book, call 811 or online.

REVIEW CLINICAL BULLETIN

Monkeypox Imvamune Vaccines

Alberta is expanding the eligibility criteria of Imvamune to include targeted prevention prior to an exposure for Albertans at higher risk of being exposed to Monkeypox. Eligible individuals include:

Transgender, cisgender, or two-spirit individuals 18+ belonging to the gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community who have at least one of the following:
Recent (in last six months) diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection.
Planning to have, or in past 90 days had, sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship.
Have attended venues for sexual contact within the past 90 days or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings.
Any sexual contacts of the individuals described above.
Staff and volunteers in a social setting, venue, or event where sexual activities between men may take place.

For appointment bookings and vaccine administration, eligible individuals should call Health Link (1-866-301-2668).

MONKEYPOX BULLETIN

Note: Monkeypox post-exposure prophylaxis will continue to be offered by Public Health to close contacts of those who tested positive for Monkeypox.

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS

Evusheld Dosage Change

AHS has updated the dosing for Evusheld to prevent COVID-19 in Albertans who are highly immunocompromised. The Evusheld Patient FAQ and Evusheld Healthcare Providers FAQ have been updated.

The dosing recommendations are now as follows:

Patients will be prescribed 600mg if:
They have not previously received Evusheld.
It has been three months or more since they received a low dose of Evusheld (300mg).
It has been six months or more since they received a high dose of Evusheld (600mg).
Patients will be prescribed 300mg if it has been less than three months since they received low dose Evusheld (300mg).

Patients are recommended to wait at least 14 days after Evusheld administration before receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

OUTPATIENT INFO

COVID-19 Testing Changes and Fax Number

A laboratory requisition from a most responsible provider is now required for patients to receive a PCR test through AHS. Healthcare providers can order molecular testing from AHS assessment centres and swabbing sites for patients who meet testing criteria.

Once the provider has determined a test is required, they must fax a laboratory requisition to 403-943-6700 - IMPORTANT: this number is different from the one at the top of the requisition form.

FULL MEMO DETAILS

For all questions and concerns, please email [email protected].

Alberta College of Family Physicians | www.acfp.ca

IMMUNIZATION UPDATES: COVID-19 & MONKEYPOX

QUICK LINKS

ELIGIBILITY & BOOKING DETAILS

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS