Important Provider Updates and Documents

2023 Health Alert Network Messages
Immunization COVID-19 Update Newletter

March 2023

February 2023

January 2023

Click HERE for previous months Immunization COVID-19 Update NewslettersImportant Updates and Documents

12/16/2022: Updated Pediatric Pfizer and Moderna Bivalent Booster Materials

11/16/2022: Provider notice: Flu cases rising sharply in Louisiana

10/19/22: Updated Pfizer and Moderna Bivalent Booster Materials

6/27/22: Updated Pfizer and Moderna EUAs

1/07/22: Medical Risk Attestation Form 

7/28/21: State of Louisiana - Louisiana Department of Health - Healthcare Facility Notice/Order 

6/16/21: Updated: COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide  - the quick reference guide has been updated with the following change: The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine expiration date has been expanded to 4.5 months, compared to the original 3 months. 

5/28/21: Vaccine Temperature Monitoring Device Allowances 

5/28/21: COVID-19 Vaccines Myth vs. Fact | Adult | Child 

5/13/21: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Consent and Screening Form for Individuals Under 18 Years of Age 

5/13/21: HAN 21-39: Louisiana Department of Health Adopts FDA and CDC Guidance to Immediately Expand Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Ages 12 -15 

4/24/21: FDA and CDC Lift Recommended Pause on Johnson & Johnson (Janssen/J&J) COVID-19 Vaccine Use Following Thorough Safety Review 

4/13/21: Immediate Pause in the use of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine in the United States 

4/9/21: HAN 21-32 Provider Ordering of COVID Vaccine in LINKS  - The vaccine ordering process has changed. Starting Wednesday, April 14, 2021, providers will need to order COVID-19 vaccine through LINKS. We will no longer be using the vaccine request form.

2/25/21: Avoiding COVID-19 Vaccine Loss  - What to do if your COVID-19 vaccine is set to expire. 

2/24/21: Syringes for Pfizer Sixth Dose - FDA’s revised label for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and instructions to healthcare workers recognize that after dilution, vials could contain up to six – rather than five – doses. CDC data systems have been updated to reflect this change. The ability of the user to access 6 doses is dependent on the syringe and needle combination used. In January the Operation indicated that this 6th dose could best be accessed using a 3:3 ratio of low dead-volume (LDV) syringes to non-LDV syringes; however, the syringes currently available on the market and provided in ancillary kits require reconsideration of this guidance. Syringes currently available on the market and provided in the ancillary kits must be used in a 5:1 ratio of low dead volume (LDV) syringes to non-LDV syringes to ensure extraction of the 6th dose. Pfizer ancillary kits are supplied with 1000 LDV syringes and 240 non-LDV syringes to support this 5:1 ratio. In most instances, the syringes will be supplied with the attached needle. However, if the syringes and needles are packed separately due to lack of supply, the LDV syringe and needle will be shipped in quantities of 1000 each. Each ancillary kit supports 1170 Pfizer doses with a 5% overage for contingencies. 

2/2/21: Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 at Non-Traditional Vaccination Clinics - How to protect staff, patients, and visitors at satellite, temporary, or off-site locations. 

2/2/21: Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - A step-by-step guide on how to properly put on different types of PPE.

2/2/21: Safe Vaccine Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for vaccination providers on using proper infection-prevention practices with all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1/29/21: The Interaction of TB Testing and COVID-19 Vaccines - CDC's recommendations regarding TB testing and COVID vaccinations.

1/6/2021: FDA Statement on Following the Authorized Dosing Schedules for COVID-19 Vaccines  -  Key points from the statement: We have been following the discussions and news reports about reducing the number of doses, extending the length of time between doses, changing the dose (half-dose), or mixing and matching vaccines in order to immunize more people against COVID-19. These are all reasonable questions to consider and evaluate in clinical trials. However, at this time, suggesting changes to the FDA-authorized dosing or schedules of these vaccines is premature and not rooted solidly in the available evidence.

1/5/2021: LDH COVID-19 C-Suite Alert: LDH Provides Vaccine Guidance for Hospitals  - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) today provided the following additional guidance to hospitals regarding the use of remaining vaccine that exceeds hospital staff uptake.

1/1/2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for Select Pharmacies  Memo

1/1/2021: Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance  document for pharmacies.

1/1/2021: Avoiding Vaccine Loss  guidance document for providers.

12/30/2020: COVID-19 Updates  from the United States Health and Human Services (HHS).

12/29/2020: Avoiding COVID-19 Vaccine Loss - OPH has developed a process for avoiding wastage of COVID-19 vaccine doses allocated by the State of Louisiana. 

12/21/2020: COVID-19 Provider Toolkit now available - click here to view.

12/19/2020: Moderna EUA factsheet - For Healthcare Providers and Moderna EUA factsheet - For Recipients and Caregivers

12/18/2020: Immediately (24/7) report severe COVID-19 vaccine reactions requiring hospitalization to the Office of Public Health (OPH) at 1-800-256-2748. For more information, view the Health Alert Networks Message 20-52: COVID-19 Vaccination Severe/Allergic Reaction Reporting .

12/15/2020: Updated information on Mega Kit content for Pfizer product 

12/15/2020: Pfizer EUA factsheet - For Healthcare Providers  and Pfizer EUA factsheet - For Recipients and Caregivers 

12/09/2020: The Immunization Program's new COVID-19 FAQ document is now available - click here to view.

11/21/2020: The CDC's Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit with updated COVID-19 vaccine storage and handling information has been released - click here to view.

11/18/2020: Hospitals click here to view the November 18, 2020 memo on program enrollment, EHR/EMR system readiness, and other key steps.

11/10/2020: Click here to access information on enrolling as a CDC COVID-19 vaccine provider and submitting essential workforce information to the Louisiana Immunization Program.