OPA COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics: January 10, 2022 Update

^NewFDA Shortens Booster Interval for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 
The Food and Drug Administration announced that they had amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to shorten the time between completing the two vaccine series and the booster dose to at least five months for individuals ages 18 and older. This action was taken to help reduce waning immunity amid highly contagious COVID-19 variants. It also brings consistency to the timing for administering a booster dose between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. See the updated fact sheet for healthcare workers here.

^NewVaccine Clinics Organized in Ohio to Address Increased Demand for COVID-19 Vaccines
Governor DeWine shared the following press release last week concerning COVID-19 vaccine availability. Share the following information with your patients. “COVID-19 vaccines are widely available throughout the state at doctor’s offices, community vaccine clinics, hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, and more. And many local health departments are expanding hours and availability to assist Ohioans in getting the shot. For example, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus health departments host clinics in various community facilities and have flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. The Toledo Lucas County Health Department provides COVID-19 shots weekdays at their downtown office and The Rec Center on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, and Dayton-Montgomery County health departments all offer COVID-19 shots at community sites with flexible hours.” Here is a list of local health departments providing additional vaccine administration hours. As pharmacies face staffing shortages and full appointment schedules, feel free to direct patients to these sites.

^NewWalk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Services Inquiry Survey for Pharmacists Serving Medicaid Populations
A barrier identified in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among Medicaid populations is a lack of access to vaccine appointments because of life circumstances and other barriers. Ohio’s Medicaid managed care leadership seeks to highlight pharmacies offering walk-in clinics to their membership to allow broader access to the vaccine. If your pharmacy provides walk-in COVID-19 vaccine services for one to many days in the week, please respond to this survey: Walk-In Vaccine Clinic Inquiry.

Reminder: $100 COVID-19 Medicaid Administration Fee Deadline Extended 
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Plan (MCP) leaders announced that the administration fee for COVID-19 vaccines is $100 for all COVID-19 shots, including first, second, and booster doses for Medicaid members has been extended to June 30, 2022. The MCP leadership encourages pharmacies to assist Medicaid patients with accessing first, second, and booster shots through phone calls, walk-in appointments, and other personalized outreach. 

Reminder: Medicaid COVID-19 Patient Vaccine $100 Gift Card Incentive Deadline Extended
Ohio’s managed care plans announced that the $100 gift card incentive for Medicaid patients receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been extended to June 30, 2022. 

1. Pharmacies can receive Visa gift cards directly to give to patients. If you are an independent pharmacy vaccinator, please email RxCovidTracking@centene.com for your gift card needs. Thank you to those who have already responded with the projected gift cards needed.
2. Once you get to 75% of your gift card allocation, please reach out to Attn: Meera Patel-Zook – Gift Card Request at RxCovidTracking@centene.com  so that they can ship out an additional allotment to your store.
3. If you have received gift cards, please ensure that you track their use through the COVID-19 Vaccine Gift Card Tracker Example. Vaccinators can now add all the information for all MCOs in ONE tracker and send that tracker to RxCOVIDTracking@CENTENE.COM. 

Note: This incentive is available to all Medicaid patients ages five and above who are eligible to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine. A legal guardian must accompany individuals who are minors to receive the gift card incentive. 

Helpful State Vaccine Resources and Information
The following resources are helpful for vaccinators to contact ODH regarding vaccine shipments:

• COVID Vaccine Provider Call Center: 1-844-963-4829 (The ODH Provider Call Center is open daily from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday through Friday and is no longer open on weekends)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Resources website

    OPA is working diligently to facilitate communication between state decision-makers and member pharmacists. OPA has created multiple COVID-19 resources, including a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Webpage, COVID-19 Testing Hub, and COVID-19 Resources Webpage, on the OPA website www.ohiopharmacists.org under the Resources drop-down box. Please contact Myriam Shaw Ojeda, Director of Pharmacy Extension and Public Health Initiatives, for further questions at mshawojeda@ohiopharmacists.org.