NEWS May 14, 2021
Vaccines May Newsletter: COVID-19, New Product Information for VAXELIS™, and More
Summary
Read our most recent PHN Vaccines Newsletter for important vaccine updates, including new product information on VAXELIS™, and make sure to subscribe to receive announcements from the network in the future.
Dear PHN Vaccines member practices,
Spring is here. With the change in season, we are focused on supporting your practice during the transition back to more in-person events, sports, and school for the kids and families you serve. Please keep an eye out for more regular updates from us – at least quarterly – regarding the latest in vaccine products, pricing, and relevant news.
All the best,
Dr. Mark Weissman
Executive Medical Director
New Product Announcement
VAXELIS™ – the first hexavalent vaccine approved by the FDA – will be available in June 2021. A detailed fact sheet is available upon request. Prescribing information and patient information are available online.
VAXELIS™, developed in partnership between Merck & Co., Inc. and Sanofi Pasteur Inc., protects against 6 infectious agents in a single shot: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hepatitis B, and Hib. VAXELIS™ helps simplify the execution of the vaccination schedule with 2-3 fewer shots and comes in a ready-to-use formulation requiring no reconstitution and will be available in prefilled syringes and vials.
- VAXELIS™ is to be administered as a 3-dose series at 2,4, and 6 months of age. This does not include the fourth dosage of DTaP or Hib scheduled for 18 months. VAXELIS™ would be an alternative to Pentacel or Pediarix.
- PHN members currently enrolled in our Sanofi program will be eligible to access significant discounts through the Performance Pricing program. Members must agree to market share participation standards to receive enhanced discounts.
If you wish to benefit from the PHN discount for VAXELIS™ or if you have additional questions, please email us at phnservices@childrensnational.org.
COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides resources for your ongoing preparation:
- FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines
- Recommendations on how to prepare, how to become a vaccinator, how to implement vaccination in pediatric practices, and how to get paid for vaccine administration
- Resources to promote vaccine confidence
Wellness Visits and Vaccinations in Children and Adolescents
Ongoing pandemic response could introduce complexity during the 2021 back-to-school season. Key points to consider:
- Summer is a peak time to complete adolescent wellness visits and vaccination catch-up prior to the school year.
- As younger populations become eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, thoughtful planning will be essential to ensure they also receive routinely recommended and catch-up vaccines.
- Currently, there are no data or recommendations to support concomitant use of COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines. As a result, COVID-19 vaccines cannot be given concurrently with others, nor can be given within 14 days of other vaccines.
Additional tips to support your ongoing efforts for adolescent catch-up can be found in the document, “The Pandemic Impact on Wellness Visits and Vaccinations for Children and Adolescents” from Merck & Co. Inc.
About Vaccines
Our vaccines services improves regional pediatric care and collaboration through group purchasing arrangements and best-in-class pricing for vaccines under our service. For more information, please visit our vaccines page online.
