Jan. 8, 2021
Moderna Vaccine Update
State Releases New Guidance on Extra Vaccine Doses
The extra dose found in some of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine vials can be accepted if, and only if, it is indeed a full dose obtained, according to guidance released today by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is crucial that providers only use an 11th dose if it is truly a FULL dose, and that they DO NOT use multiple vials to create a full dose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  1. In some cases, providers may be able to obtain an 11th dose from a Moderna vaccine vial, and this may be used if it is truly a full dose. Whether an 11th dose is obtainable depends, in part, on the type of syringes and needles used to withdraw doses from the vials. Because the vaccine does not contain preservative, it is critical to note that if the amount of vaccine remaining in the vial cannot provide a full dose, discard the vial and content. Do not pool excess vaccine from multiple vials to create one dose.
  2. More information about this is available on the FDA's website.
 
For the Pfizer Bio-NTech COVID-19 vaccine, here is the original guidance regarding extra doses:

  1. At this time, given the public health emergency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising that it is acceptable to use every full dose obtainable (the sixth, or possibly even a seventh) from each vial, pending resolution of the issue. However, since these are preservative-free vials, it is critical to note that any further remaining liquid that does not constitute a full dose should not be pooled from multiple vials to create one.
  2. The FDA's FAQ for the Pfizer Bio-NTech COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.

Another concern that may arise when giving an extra dose is that providers may not have enough vaccine records or other supplies within their ancillary supply kit. Below, please find a copy of the Vaccination Record Card for you to make copies, as necessary. Also, the CDC is continuing to review the ancillary supply kits and working to see about additional supplies being sent. In a recent CDC call, it was reported that the ancillary kits will be updated to accommodate for the additional doses.

MPA will continue to share any additional guidance we receive.


Additional information from the CDC can be found here.
Pharmacists Critical to Vaccination Efforts
MPA member Steve Czerkes vaccinates one of the staff members at a long-term care facility in the Upper Peninsula on Dec. 28, the second day that LTC clinics were allowed to vaccinate in Michigan. "If you look at the facial expression on this nurse, she was surprised that it did not hurt at all. She doesn’t like getting injections," Czerkes said. "Take the vaccine. DO YOUR PART TO HELP US OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC."
Share Your Photos With Us!
In light of the critical role pharmacy professionals are playing in the nationwide vaccination efforts getting underway, the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) would like to invite you to share your photos with us. Whether you are preparing, administering or receiving the vaccine, help us promote the safety and efficacy of vaccinations in ending this pandemic, and pharmacy professionals' role in doing it!

Share your photos with us on social media, or email communication@MichiganPharmacists.org. We would love to feature the incredible work you are doing on the frontlines. Thanks for your dedication and hard work as we enter what we hope will be the last phase of our battle with COVID-19.
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