Vaccine Updates

Vaccine FAQs: CDC updated their FAQs page about the vaccines. This page answers commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Resources: CDC updated their resource page on COVID-19 vaccines. On this page you can find when and where you can receive the vaccine, receive accurate vaccine information, and much more.

Resources on Approved Vaccines: CDC updated their resource page on the different types of vaccines. This web page explains how the body fights infection and how COVID-19 vaccines protect people by producing immunity. It also describes the different types of COVID-19 vaccines that currently are available or are undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States.​

Vaccine Facts and Unknowns for Healthcare Providers: NIH officials highlight COVID-19 vaccine facts, unknowns for healthcare providers. Healthcare providers must be able to explain the latest data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so they can strongly encourage vaccination when appropriate while acknowledging that uncertainty and unknowns remain.

Ensuring the Safety of Vaccines: CDC updated their page on ensuring vaccine safety. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Safety is a top priority while federal partners work to make this and other COVID-19 vaccines available.

Toolkits: CDC updated their toolkits, which include audience-specific information for healthcare teams and community administrators. CDC has toolkits for:

• Vaccine Communication
• Vaccine Recipient Education
• Long-Term Care Facility Vaccination
• Essential Worker Vaccination
• Community-Based Organization Vaccination
• K-12 Schools COVID-19 Mitigation

Testing

Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Testing: Last week, Secretary Azar delivered remarks at FREOPP on lessons from COVID-19 testing. Azar noted, “What we have done over this past year to develop the world’s largest testing system is not just unprecedented, but a uniquely American achievement—something that we could do because we believed in enlisting every creative corner of society and bringing the public and private sectors together.”

COVID-19 Contact Tracer Tools: CDC released their COVIDTracer and COVIDTracer Advanced which are spreadsheet-based tools that allow state- and local-level public health officials and policy makers to compare the effectiveness, and the resources needed, of three user defined contact tracing and monitoring strategies. Both tools allow you to estimate the potential effectiveness of each of the three strategies, the average number of contacts per case, and the time needed for case interviews and contact tracing follow-up activities.

Healthcare Facilities: CDC has updated their database for healthcare facilities that have implemented COVID-19 electronic case reporting.

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States: CDC updated their guidance for all people traveling to the US. If you plan to travel internationally, get tested before you travel by air into the United States (US), or be prepared to show proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel. On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect at 12:01am EST on January 26, 2021.

Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Required for Passengers Arriving from the UK: CDC updated their guidance for people traveling from the UK to the US. If you travel from the United Kingdom to the United States, make plans to get tested before travel. This Order applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling from the UK to the US, including US citizens and legal permanent residents.

Treatment

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for High Risk Covid-19 Positive Patients: HHS developed this fact sheet to help providers better understand monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibody treatment has been shown to reduce hospitalization and symptom days in high risk COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Potency Assay Considerations for Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapeutic Proteins Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity:  FDA is issuing this guidance to assist sponsors in the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other therapeutic proteins for use as COVID-19 therapeutics. A critical quality control measure for these products is the development and implementation of a potency assay(s) adequate to ensure that each lot is consistently produced with the potency necessary to achieve clinical efficacy and that such potency is maintained over the shelf life of the product.

Understanding Your COVID-19 Treatment Options: HHS developed this fact sheet to help patients better understand their treatment options.

Reopening Guidance

Deciding How to Go Back to School: Many parents, caregivers, and guardians face new and difficult choices about how their child will return to school in the fall, such as deciding between in-person and virtual learning. This tool is designed to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school. It is organized to provide parents and caregivers with information on COVID-19 and why safely reopening schools is so critical.

Information for Specific Populations

Global COVID-19: CDC updated their resource page for the COVID-19 global pandemic. CDC is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to assist countries to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. CDC routinely provides technical assistance to ministries of health and subnational and international partners to improve our collective response to infectious disease threats like COVID-19.

Strategy for Global Response to COVID-19: CDC updated their strategy for global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategy provides an overarching framework for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s global response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CDC strategy aligns with the U.S. Government (USG) strategy and the U.S. National Security Strategic goals to protect the American people and ensure the U.S. health security by mitigating the spread of infectious disease threats abroad.

COVID-19 At-Risk Medicare Population Dashboard, Related Online Tools to Support Pandemic Response: To aid state, territorial and local health departments in community-level pandemic response efforts such as implementing COVID-19 vaccination plans that meet the needs of Americans ages 65 and older, today we unveiled a suite of online tools built from existing programs and information technology platforms. Read the press release about this dashboard here.

Travel Associated Exposures: CDC updated their public health guidance on travel associated exposures. Individuals who travel may be at risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, before, during, or after travel. This could result in travelers’ spreading the virus to others at their destinations or upon returning home.

Cleaner Air Shelters and Cleaner Air Spaces to Protect the Public from Wildfire Smoke: CDC updated their guidance to reduce the risk of introducing and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 in cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces. Cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces are public spaces where people can seek relief from wildfire smoke.

Dialysis Facilities: CDC updated their resource page for dialysis facilities. This page includes resources on infection control, testing, training and much more.

Animals and COVID-19: CDC updated their resource page on animals and COVID-19. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect people.

Workplaces and Businesses: CDC updated their resource page for workplaces and businesses.  This page provides guidance’s and strategies to prevent and reduce COVID-19 transmission in workplaces.

Childcare Programs: CDC updated their toolkit for childcare programs. This toolkit includes posters, fact sheets, guidance and FAQs.

Travel: CDC updated their resource page for travel. This page has information on domestic and international travel, mask recommendations, and more. CDC also updated their travel health notices page, which lists current travel notices and outlines COVID-19 risks in different countries.

COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT) Composition: For COVID-19, RRT activation may occur prior to detection of a COVID-19 case in a particular administrative area. Examples include when there is transmission in a neighboring administrative area or when the emergency response system has already been activated (e.g. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation or country-equivalent). Given the high risk of COVID-19 person-to-person transmission, countries can consider prepositioning multidisciplinary RRTs prior to large-scale transmission.

Enforcement Policy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency: FDA updated their guidance for coagulation systems for measurement of viscoelastic properties. FDA is issuing this guidance to provide a policy to help expand the availability of coagulation systems for measurement of whole blood viscoelastic properties that are used to assess hemostasis, for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Protecting Participants in Bioequivalence Studies: FDA updated their guidance for protecting participants in bioequivalence studies during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Funding

Provider Relief Fund Reporting Update: HHS, through HRSA, will be amending the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund Program (PRF) due to the recent passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. HHS has been working to provide updated reporting requirements that comply with this recently passed legislation. Consequently, PRF recipients will now be required to submit their reporting requirements on their use of these funds later than previously announced. PRF recipients may begin registering for gateway access to the Reporting Portal where they will ultimately submit their information in compliance with the new reporting requirements HHS is issuing.

Funds to Expand Immunization Information Sharing Collaboration: HHS acting through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced a series of investments to help increase data sharing between health information exchanges (HIEs) and immunization information systems. ONC will award nearly $20 million in funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020 to support the nation’s vaccination efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS Updates

CMS Releases Additional Tools To Help State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies Plan For The Eventual Return To Regular Operations After The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends: CMS released two tools to assist states and territories in their planning efforts to transition back to regular operations and resolve pending Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) eligibility and enrollment actions after the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE) ends.  These tools were announced in the Planning for the Resumption of Normal State Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) Operations Upon Conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency State Health Official Letter that CMS released on December 22, 2020.

CMS Released Preliminary Medicaid COVID-19 Increased FMAP Expenditure Data: On a quarterly basis, states report summarized Medicaid expenditures on the Form CMS-64, which serve as the basis for the amount of FFP paid to states to fund the Medicaid program. CMS released preliminary Medicaid expenditure data that states reported to CMS through the Medicaid Budget and Expenditure System (MBES).   This information is summary level data for Medicaid service expenditures reported by states on the Form CMS-64 in MBES for the period of January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020 and April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020.  The data includes a breakout of expenditures associated with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) section 6004 which provides a 100% Federal match to uninsured individuals eligible under the new “COVID-19 testing” optional Medicaid eligibility group and section 6008 which provides a temporary 6.2 percentage point increase to qualifying states and territory’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).

Research

Evaluation of Abbott BinaxNow Rapid Antigen Test: CDC released a MMWR on evaluation of Abbott BinaxnNow rapid antigen test for sars-cov-2 infection at two community-based testing sites. Sensitivity of the BinaxNOW antigen test, compared with polymerase chain reaction testing, was lower when used to test specimens from asymptomatic (35.8%) than from symptomatic (64.2%) persons, but specificity was high. Sensitivity was higher for culture-positive specimens (92.6% and 78.6% for those from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons, respectively); however, some antigen test-negative specimens had culturable virus. The high specificity and rapid BinaxNOW antigen test turnaround time facilitate earlier isolation of infectious persons. Antigen tests can be an important tool in an overall community testing strategy to reduce transmission.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage: CDC released a MMWR on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 1.1.7 mutation lineage. Modeling data indicate that B.1.1.7 has the potential to increase the U.S. pandemic trajectory in the coming months. CDC’s system for genomic surveillance and the effort to expand sequencing will increase the availability of timely U.S. genomic surveillance data. The increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant warrants universal and increased compliance with mitigation strategies, including distancing and masking. Higher vaccination coverage might need to be achieved to protect the public. Genomic sequence analysis through the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance program will enable a targeted approach to identifying variants of concern in the United States.

COVID-19 Variants: CDC updated their resource page on emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and their US cases caused by variants page. There has also been a new variant detected. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants are circulating globally. Scientists are working to learn more about these variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized vaccines against them. At this time, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death. New information about the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of these variants is rapidly emerging.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Executive Deputy Director Jeff Thomas highlighted how Ramshield, Inc., an Exton-based healthcare product provider featured on the administration’s B2B Interchange Directory, is utilizing revolutionary technology to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania’s businesses like Ramshield are using their skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit us all, and without their efforts, our road to recovery would be much longer and more difficult,” said DCED Secretary Davin. “We thank them for their work and remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting businesses and communities across the commonwealth through resources like the B2B Interchange Directory and other critical PPE portals.”

Made from materials sourced in the United States, the AVF Shield and Cartridge System Kit is a replaceable cartridge shield that uses patented technology to create an electrical charge to protect users from COVID-19. While the product is manufactured in the U.S., another component of the AVF cartridge—a sponge that holds moisture allowing for the electroceutical technology to stay activated for 10-12 hours at a time—is sourced directly from Pennsylvania.

“This pandemic has tested businesses in ways many of us never could have imagined,” said PEMA Executive Deputy Director Jeff Thomas. “Pennsylvania businesses that were able to transition to making PPE, or come up with new and innovative ways to protect our essential workers made it easier for the commonwealth to support the needs of our county and local partners over the last year.”

The AVF shields are designed to provide a comfortable seal and are intended for hours of use, and the shield can be used up to one year and easily washed with soap and water or in dishwashers. The manufacturer has obtained FDA Emergency Use Authorization for this product.

“We are thankful for the resources like the Business to Business Interchange Directory, which has been an important gateway in allowing Ramshield to provide critical PPE to those businesses in need throughout Pennsylvania during this pandemic,” said Samantha Partovi, President and Managing Director of Ramshield, Inc. “Ramshield is pleased to offer this new mask to help keep people safer with this effective, new technology in the fight against COVID and to help our fellow Americans get back to work and school.”

Ramshield, Inc. is a woman-owned provider of healthcare products that has developed several proprietary products that are new to the healthcare industry.  A team of healthcare professionals, consisting of engineers, sales and marketing executives lead the company to help hospitals improve patient care.

The Business-to-Business Interchange Directory connects organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of COVID-19-related products and supplies. This directory is made available to entities that contacted the commonwealth through the portals.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released the latest revised COVID-19 vaccination plan that includes people who are 65 and older, and those 16-64 with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the disease.

“Pennsylvania is expanding our vaccination efforts to start including anyone over 65 and people ages 16-64 with serious medical conditions that make them more at risk for severe illness due to COVID-19,” said Cindy Findley, Department of Health’s Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and leader of the state’s Vaccine Task Force.

The CDC has defined this group as people who have conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, sickle cell disease and chronic kidney disease. Pregnant women also are included in this group. A full list of these medical conditions is available in version 5 of the interim vaccine plan on the department’s website.

It is important to note that while the number of people eligible to get vaccinated is expanding, the allotment of vaccine doses that Pennsylvania is receiving from the federal government is not increasing.

“To help people determine when they are eligible for vaccination, and how to get vaccinated, we have developed a ‘vaccine eligibility quiz’ now online at pa.gov,” Findley said.

Once people complete the short vaccine eligibility quiz to determine if it is currently their turn to get vaccinated, they will go to the interactive map online to find a vaccine provider near them. They will schedule an appointment directly with that provider.

FAQs can be found here.

As of today, there are 4,582 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 950 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The Biden administration released its National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Preparedness last week.  In it we see an important role for community-based organizations especially as it relates to education and access.

As we await the details of the National Strategy’s seven point plan, our understanding is that it will still be operationalized through state and local public health entities. (Use this locator to determine local vaccine efforts in your state or territory or contact your state or local health department to find out when, where, and how vaccines will be available in your community.

It’s encouraging to see the growing number of faith communities championing and even hosting vaccine programs. These hopeful examples include churches in Florida partnering with hospitals and the state to better distribute vaccines—as they become available—through local churches to the people who are most at risk and pastors being publically vaccinated in Boston to encourage vaccine reluctant members.

COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for Community-based Organizations

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations: Getting Started

CDC has designed a toolkit for organizations serving communities affected by COVID-19 including social service organizations, faith-based organizations, and others to help educate their members about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.

Experts Talking to Communities about COVID-19

Everything you Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines

Wed., Jan. 27, 2021, 1:00 p.m. EST. Register here. 

Promoted by NIH and presented by the Urban Health Institute and Johns Hopkins Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity, this webinar features Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a leading scientist for the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, in a community forum discussing what people need to know about COVID-19 vaccines.

Treating Long COVID: Clinician Experience with Post-Acute COVID-19 Care

Thurs., Jan. 28, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST. Call details here.
Patients and clinicians across the U.S. are reporting long-term effects of COVID-19, commonly referred to as long COVID. Presenters will share their firsthand experiences with treating long COVID, focusing on the pulmonary, neurologic, and psychological aspects.

Moving the Needle on COVID-19 Vaccination: Learning from National Public Health Experts & Community-Based Organizations. 

Thurs., Jan 28, 2021, 12:00 p.m. EST. Register here. 

At this event, CDC COVID-19 Response Vaccine Task Force Chief Medical Officer Amanda Cohn, MD, will present the latest information about available vaccines and current vaccine distribution plans. Afterwards, leaders from community-based organizations (CBOs) will join the conversation to discuss ways to overcome barriers to a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Faithful Action: Preventing Exploitation & Human Trafficking Among Youth in a COVID Environment

Thurs., Jan. 28, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST. Register here. 

Learn from three non-profit youth prevention educational programs about youth vulnerability in a COVID environment, prevention strategies and cultural sensitivities in supporting youth impacted by trauma.

Harmonizing the Spiritual and Scientific Worldviews

Tues., Feb. 9, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST. View here.

The Religion, Spirituality, and Health Scientific Interest Group will host Dr. Francis S. Collins as their inaugural presenter.

A Conversation on COVID-19 with Dr. Fauci and the Muslim Community

Thurs., Feb. 11, 2021. Register here.

American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) hosts this conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director and Chief Medical Advisor on COVID-19 to President Biden.