AAP: 2023-2024 Interim COVID-19 Vaccine and Nirsevimab Borrowing Policy

October 11, 2023- CDC has approved that the temporary authorization of bi-directional COVID-19 vaccine and nirsevimab borrowing for the 2023-2024 respiratory vaccine season.

Click here to view the announcement from the AAP's newsletter.

Click here for the borrowing policy from the CDC, shared by GA DPH.

The Tridemic: Flu, RSV and COVID- Social Media Posts

The CDC recommends a flu shot for every child six months of age and older. Also, there is an updated COVID vaccine to protect everyone against the latest strain of COVID, and the CDC has advised all eligible family members to receive one. A new immunization called Beyfortus will be available in October to protect babies and other children against RSV(Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

Click here to view the PDF file.

Please visit the Member section of KidsHealthFirst.com for additional resources.

Checklist for Planning and Implementing a Flu Vaccination Clinic

The AAP released a planning checklist for practices to prepare for setting up flu vaccine clinics in their office.

COVID-19 Vaccine Ordering Through GRITS***

October 17, 2023- VFC providers will now be able to request COVID-19 vaccines via GRITS. The survey link that was previously used to request COVID-19 vaccines has been deactivated and will no longer be used to request COVID-19 vaccine doses.

 Changing Vaccine Preferences in GRITS:

• Log in to GRITS.
• Click on the Manage Inventory menu option in the blue panel to the left.
• Click on the Show Inventory button.
• Click on the Count Inventory button.
• Click on the Set Preferences button.
• Change your vaccine preference from previous vaccine preference to new vaccine preference then click save.

For COVID-19 vaccines requested in GRITS, facilities will need to accept the transfer in GRITS once the shipment arrives.

If you have any questions about ordering COVID-19 vaccines for your VFC eligible clients, please contact the VFC program at 1.800.848.3868 or dph-gavfc@dph.ga.gov .

DEA and the HHS announced a Second Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications.

October 10, 2023- This temporary extension comes after much consideration and input to the DEA, and in collaboration with HHS . This extension is in effect thru December 31, 2024.

Click here to learn more from the federal register. 

CNN also reported on this development. Click here to read the article.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Update

On October 3rd, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted for use in individuals 12 years of age and older to include the 2023-2024 formula.

AAP COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

• The AAP released a COVID-19 Vaccine Coding Chart for practices administering COVID-19 vaccine in office.
• Review the latest COVID-19 Vaccine Dosing Quick Reference Guide

Pfizer to allow 100% returns on COVID vaccines for young children

September 29, 2023- Pfizer has revised its policies to allow 100% returns on vials of its updated COVID-19 vaccine for young children beginning Oct. 1, a move the AAP says will benefit pediatricians and families.

Read more here.

Supply issues plague nirsevimab ordering***

October 17, 2023- Ordering of the new RSV immunization nirsevimab through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has been put on hold, and the 100-milligram formulation also is not available for ordering from Sanofi. The CDC expects VFC ordering to resume later this week with an allocation system in place.

See the latest news release here.

Q&A for Parents- RSV***

KHF has created a new Q & A for Parents addressing commonly asked questions regarding RSV. Please feel free to copy the information to share with parents or share on your website.

See the latest Q&A for parents on the KHF intranet here.

2 CPT Codes Approved for Administration of Nirsevimab

October 6, 2023- The AAP released a press release stating that the AMA has approved two new CPT codes related to the administration of nirsevimab for RSV prevention.

Click here to to learn more.

• Click here to view the new vaccine codes from the AMA
• Click here to view tips from the AAP regarding Nirsevimab coding & payment

Updated Resources for Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) Implementation

The AAP recently updated new tools to assist practices with Nirsevimab Implementation.



• Check out the AAP's updated resource page
• The Practice Readiness Checklist
• The Nirsevimab Implementation Guide

Pfizer RSV Vaccine During Pregnancy Update

October 6, 2023- CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report discusses seasonal administration of Pfizer’s RSV vaccine during pregnancy to prevent RSV in infants.

Click here to learn more.

AAP Resources:

Below is a list of helpful resources for practices:

• Information for clinicians from the CDC on nirsevimab
• Information for parents from HealthyChildren.org on RSV symptoms and when to call a doctor
• Information from the AAP on COVID-19 vaccines, including a dosing guide and information on payment. 
• CDC interim clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccines 

IMPORTANT: Medicaid Revalidation Deadline Extended to Oct. 31, 2023***

Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® providers now have until Oct. 31, 2023 to revalidate enrollment in order to avoid any disruption in the provision of care to patients.  

Click here for more information and instructions to log-in to GAMMIS.

TCCN Webinar: New AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obesity***

The TCCN Obesity & Diabetes Webinar recording is now available. If you missed the webinar or would like a replay, please click here to view.

TCCN Asthma Flu Recall Lists

Asthma Flu Recall lists were distributed through secure emails to practices last month. Please use this list as a tool to help you start recall efforts early for the upcoming flu season.

If you have any questions about your Flu recall list, please reach out to Laura Baldwin at laura.baldwin@tccn-choa.org. 

 Adams Keegan Live Webinar- Friday Oct 27th***

Topic: 3 Brief Field Guides to Harassment Training, Employees Quitting, & Getting Ready for New Overtime Rules

Please join us for a discussion and review of the best practices for managing the complex training requirements for harassment across different states, as well as how to handle the compliance challenges when employees quit. We'll also provide some updates on what you should be doing in preparation for the US DOL's proposed new overtime rules.

Date and Time: Friday, October 27 at 11:00 AM EDT. Click here to register.

 In Office CPR Recredentialing Training

Kids Health First has an agreement with a BLS CPR trainer who can come to your office and complete your physician and staff CPR recredentialing.

We are pleased to announce an agreement with Doug and Deanna Morris of No Stress Training. Here is their biography and their offering for Kids Health First practices.

Program Details:

• Come to your practice or you can send people to their Fayetteville location.
• You schedule the training time directly with them for your convenience.
• $45 per person for a 2 year BLS recredentialing.
• They will prorate training for anyone who is currently credentialed that you want to get on your training schedule.
• This agreement runs January 2023- February 2025

Please note that each office should complete a HIPAA Confidentiality Agreement with the company and your practice.

Call No Stress Training directly to schedule your sessions and please identify your practice as a Kids Health First practice. Slots are already being filled for 1st quarter 2024!

Doug and Deanna Morris

No Stress Training

www.nostresstraining.com

nostresstraining@outlook.com

(770) 519-2283

(770) 519-2284

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Donna Scowden at dscowden@khfirst.com

TCCN OSHA Webinar Replay

The replay for the 2023 TCCN OSHA webinar held earlier this month is now available to view.

• Click here to view the presentation.
• Click here to view the slides.
• Click here to view the included Bloodborne Pathogens Test

CME Opportunity for Kids Health First Providers

Click here to learn more and register for a free, online, Pediatric-specific course that satisfies the DEA requirement mandated by the MATE Act. 

Coming Soon! Payor Updates will be moved to our new billing newsletter.

Please stay tuned for updates!

CDC recommends new vaccine during pregnancy to help protect babies against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness after birth.

FDA Notice: Recall on 4.2% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP and 1% and 2% Lidocaine HCl Injection, USP by Hospira Products

FDA Provides Updated Recommendations for Certain O&M Halyard Surgical N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Pediatric Face Masks

States Obtain Special Waivers to Help With Medicaid Unwinding Efforts

CDC Health Alert Advisory: Increased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Parts of the Southeastern United States

CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine for Fall/Winter Virus Season

CDC Launches "Bridge to Access Program" for COVID-19 Vaccines

AAP Online Course Opportunity: Managing Acute and Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorders in Pediatrics

Updated Resources on Screen Time and Social Media for Children

The "AAP's Bold Stance on the Value of Pediatrics" 

From Chip Hart: 2023 Telemedicine Requirement Grid

Developed by Jan Blanchard. Click on the link to download the pdf.

Kids Health First Who to Call List

Kids Health First Intranet Page