HHS expexcts the temporary changes will help meet current and future demand.
COVID-19 - Arizona update
Arizona schools have become the new target for attacks as administrators do their best to follow public health guidance to protect educators, students and families from the spread of COVID-19. After a year of virtual instruction schools have returned to offering in-person learning but at the same time schools are now faced with concerns of educator retention rates and the spread of COVID-19 among staff and students. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ COVID-19 Data Dashboard, school-age children and adults ages 22-44 have the highest case rates among the age groups. AzHHA continues to advocate for the safety of our healthcare professionals, students, educators and the surrounding community. Get the COVID-19 vaccine. Wear a mask. Help us slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Vaccines for children program vaccine transfers
The Arizona Immunization Program Office (AIPO) sent an email communication this week to providers about vaccines for children (VFC) transfers. Under the following circumstances, AIPO allows for providers to transfer VFC vaccines to another VFC provider.
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VFC vaccines that have at least 90 days before expiration may be transferred to another provider, including open or partial boxes.
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If a facility will be closed for four or more days, arrangements must be made to transport the VFC vaccines to another VFC provider, or on the 5th and subsequent days, the temperatures are required to be checked twice a day.
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Transfer of all VFC vaccines to another VFC provider is highly recommended for facilities permanently closed.
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Transfer requests must be submitted in ASIIS along with current data loggers for both the sending and receiving facility (gaps or open temperature incidents may delay or prevent transfers).
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During emergencies, providers must follow their Vaccine Accountability and Management Plan.
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Varicella (Varivax) and MMRV (Proquad) may only be transported during an emergency, and only to another VFC provider.
According to AIOP, excessive transfer requests may indicate too many VFC vaccines are being ordered or there are inventory issues needed to be addressed.
HHS makes temporary changes to distribution policies for monoclonal antibody therapies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making temporary changes to its distribution policies for monoclonal antibody therapies to meet current and future demand. HHS said the changes are in response to “a substantial surge in the utilization of monoclonal antibody drugs, particularly in areas of the country with low vaccination rates.” The changes include:
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limiting immediate orders and shipment only to administration sites with HHSProtect accounts and current utilization reporting; and
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reviewing all orders for alignment with utilization, currently estimated at 70% of orders.
Hospitals with questions about ordering and distributing treatments may email [email protected].
Today – CDC COCA call: Influenza vaccination recommendations and guidance on coadministration with COVID-19 Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be hosting a Clinical Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call today, September 9 at 2 p.m. EST. The COCA call will focus on providing updates on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for the 2021-2022 flu vaccination season and guidance for the coadministration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. To register, click here.
Louisiana Hospital Association establishes relief fund for hospital workers affected by Hurricane Ida
In response to the devastating impact, Hurricane Ida has had, the Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation established the Louisiana Care Fund to assist hospital employees who experienced property loss or personal hardship as a result of the hurricane but continued to care for patients. If you would like to assist healthcare heroes in need, you may donate here. Contributions are tax-deductible, and 100% of the money raised will go to support Louisiana hospital employees.
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Upcoming Events
September 23-24 - AZ HFMA 2021 Virtual Fall Conference – Get Back in the Game
The AZ HFMA Fall Conference brings together payers and providers from both Arizona and the Southwest Region as a whole. With three breakout tracks (finance, value-based care, and revenue cycle), an executive panel and keynotes on AHCCCS and innovation in healthcare. To learn more about the virtual conference click here.
October 7, November 11 and December 2 - Introduction to POLST
Interested in learning how to use the Arizona POLST form with your patients? The one-hour Introduction to POLST workshop equips healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST in Arizona. The objectives are to describe what POLST is at the state and national level, explain why POLST is important, define the population for POLST, when to begin the conversation and who completes POLST, describe the process for completing, reviewing and updating POLST and learn the process of submitting healthcare planning documents to the Arizona Healthcare Directive Registry. To register for a workshop, click on a date below.
October 14 – 2021 Arizona Health Equity Conference
AzHHA is a proud sponsor of the statewide movement to promote resiliency and health equity, the 2021 Arizona Health Equity Conference. This conference is a great opportunity to understand current health equity research, outreach and policies taking place in Arizona and to connect with partners who are working in the field of health equity or interested in reducing health disparities. To view the conference program, click here. Both virtual and limited in-person registration options are available.
In the News
Arizona attorney general says Tucson's COVID-19 vaccination mandate violates state law
AZ Central
Brophy Prep's COVID-19 policy aims to keep school open, not to upset a few parents
AZ Central