Dec. 21, 2020
Moderna Vaccine Updates
Phased Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines Released
A workgroup of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) immunization advisory committee today updated the phased allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) COVID-19 Vaccines Workgroup met over the weekend to discuss vaccine allocation, and the proposed allocation is listed below, pending final approval from the CDC. 
Moderna Vaccine Approved

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Dec. 18. On Saturday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued an interim recommendation for use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in persons aged 18 years and older for prevention of COVID-19. ACIP determined that COVID-19 is a major public health problem and that use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is a reasonable and efficient allocation of resources. It was determined that for most populations, the desirable effects outweigh the undesirable effects, making the vaccine acceptable to implementation stakeholders.

To read more information about ACIP's decisions over the weekend, read the ACIP Interim Recommendations for Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine – issued on Dec. 20.

There are some key differences between the new Moderna vaccine recommendations and the previous Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. These differences are outlined below.
Additionally, for both vaccines:
  • Before vaccination, the EUA fact sheet should be provided to recipients and caregivers.
  • Providers should counsel COVID-19 vaccine recipients about expected local and systemic reactogenicity.
  • Adverse events should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
  • FDA requires that vaccination providers report vaccination administration errors, serious adverse events, cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome and cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or death after administration of COVID-19 vaccine under EUA.
  • CDC has developed a new, voluntary smartphone-based tool, v-safe. V-safe uses text messaging and web surveys to provide check-ins after vaccination.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable with other COVID-19 vaccine products; patients should complete their 2 dose series with the same COVID-19 vaccine product that they received their first dose.
  • Additional clinical considerations on administration or special populations are available on the CDC's website for clinical considerations.
Earn FREE CE from the CDC
COVID-19 Vaccine Training:
General Overview of Immunization Best Practices for Healthcare Providers
Learn the basics of COVID-19 vaccine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and vaccine storage, handling and administration in the Centers for disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) course. Earn free CE.
Immunization Basics

Need an introduction or refresher on immunization practices? Check out Centers for disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) training plan that covers immunization basics like communicating with patients, as well as COVID-19 vaccination. Some trainings offer free CE.

Pharmacists Critical to Vaccination Efforts
MPA member Jesse Hogue prepares COVID vaccines at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
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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