Contents
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Current State of COVID-19 Vaccine in Vermont
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The COVID-19 vaccine is widely available throughout the state of Vermont. Visit the Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to:
- Learn about vaccines for people 12-15 years old.
- See an up-to-date list of walk-in clinic availability throughout the state.
- See special vaccination locations for certain groups.
- Find links to administering pharmacy locations.
- Access Vaccine factsheets in many languages.
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Note: Please use caution when interpreting town data. There are several scenarios where vaccinations are not attributed to the correct town. Refer to notes on the website for more details.
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COVID-19 Vaccines Available
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Vermont Vaccine Program Updates
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Each July, the Vermont Immunization Program provides the opportunity for Vermont Vaccine Program (VCVP/VAVP) enrolled practices to change the brand of vaccine their office may order through the Vaccine Inventory Management System (VIMS).
On July 6, all enrolled facilities should have received an e-mail outlining the new vaccine options, including some considerations when making a change, and a survey link to complete if a change is requested. If you need this information again or have any questions, please e-mail AHS.VDHImmunizationProgram@vermont.gov.
For more information, see our list of currently available vaccines brands.
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Health Department Immunization Program All Provider Call – June 6, 2021
An Immunization Program update on:
- New vaccines Vaxelis and MenQuadfi
- Flu vaccine in Vermont
- Vaccine choice survey
- Senso recalibration
- Upcoming VCVP/VAVP compliance visits
- Vaccination rate data and the IMR
- COVID-19 vaccine and primary care rollout
- Immunization Program and Health Equity
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Routine Immunization Catch-up
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CDC’s public sector vaccine ordering data show a 14% drop in 2020-2021 compared to 2019, and measles vaccine ordering is down by more than 20%.
To assist your practice in catching up, the CDC has developed a page of Resources for Encouraging Routine Childhood Vaccinations, which includes social media content, printable infographics, and suggested language.
Immunization Schedules For Health Care Providers
Webinar: Catch-up Immunization, Catching up in the Time of COVID (NCIRD), July 14, 12pm – 1pm
If you are unable to join live, or the event is full, this webinar will be recorded and posted on this webpage no later than close of business on Thursday, July 15. Continuing Education credits will be offered.
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COVID-19 Vaccine to Primary Care Providers
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In early June, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, encouraged Vermonters to connect with their providers about vaccine: “If you’ve been waiting to get vaccinated by your doctor or primary care practice, it might be time to call and see if they are participating, and if they are, get scheduled for your shot.”
Read the article, Doctors’ Offices are Preferred COVID Vaccine Sites for Unvaccinated to learn more about why primary care and other providers are taking steps to offer COVID19 vaccine in their communities (Medscape, June 17, 2021).
If you are a provider interested in COVID19 vaccine, read the updates below for recent changes and information about how to connect with us. |
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Independent Primary Care Providers
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On June 4, all independent primary care practices enrolled in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program received an invitation to receive the vaccine in their practices.
If you are an independent primary care office interested in carrying the COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to AHS.VDHImmunizationProgram@vermont.gov.
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Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
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FQHCs are eligible to receive the federally allocated vaccine through the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program. All FQHC’s in Vermont receive the COVID-19 vaccine through this program or are engaged in the HRSA process and should be receiving the vaccine soon.
On June 30, the state made the state-supplied vaccine available for FQHC’s to order.
If you are an FQHC interested in receiving the state-supplied COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to AHS.VDHImmunizationProgram@vermont.gov.
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Hospital Associated Medical Providers
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Hospitals have played a significant role in Vermont’s COVID-19 vaccination success, connecting broadly with partners across many regions to serve communities.
At present, hospitals can offer COVID-19 vaccine within their affiliated primary care, urgent care, and OB/GYN offices. We understand that each hospital will have unique considerations and goals to ensure success, and we will not engage with affiliate locations without consent from umbrella organizations. If a Hospital is interested in providing COVID-19 vaccine at a non-primary affiliated location, please reach out to the Immunization Program to confirm enrollment status.
Resources:
COVID-19 Vaccination Options for Hospital-Based Umbrella PCPs: Outlines the three options a hospital may choose in how it wishes to transition
Hospitals as COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Hubs: If you are a hospital that intends to store the COVID-19 vaccine and distribute it to affiliated or non-affiliated facilities, you would be a Vaccine Hub.
Minimizing Waste Policy: Information on the state’s current approach to vaccine waste.
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If you are a COVID-19 enrolled non-primary care medical provider, the Immunization Program will contact you when you have the option to order the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are a medical provider who is not COVID-19 enrolled and would like information on the eligibility requirements of carrying the COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to AHS.VDHImmunizationProgram@vermont.gov.
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Enrollment in the Vermont COVID-19 Vaccine Program
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Enrollment is a necessary step in managing and administering vaccines through your primary care office.
- Even if your location is associated with a hospital currently receiving the COVID-19 vaccines, failure to enroll will be a barrier to administration through your office.
- If an FQHC, enrollment in the Vermont COVID-19 Program is required before a HRSA allocation may be stored at your location.
- It is unknown when the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided through the Vermont Vaccine Program as other state-supplied vaccines are, so enrollment is highly encouraged.
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Many primary care offices have already enrolled in the Vermont COVID-19 Vaccine Program in anticipation of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to serve patients directly in the outpatient setting. All enrolled independent primary care offices recently received an invitation to provide COVID-19 in their office. If you did not receive this invitation, likely, you are not enrolled.
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Unsure of Enrollment or Not Enrolled
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PCP enrollment began in November of 2020. Given how much time has passed, it is possible that your location started the enrollment process but may simply be missing a signature.
If you are unsure of your enrollment status, please contact the Immunization Program at AHS.VDHImmunizationProgram@vermont.gov.
For more information on the process, please read the COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Process Guide and FAQs.
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We know it can be challenging to asses your patients' COVID-19 vaccination needs. Read the instructions for running reports through the Immunization Registry below. If you have questions, contact the registry directly at IMR@vermont.gov | 1-888-688-4667.
Reports:
Patients who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine doses
Patients who have missed or are late for a second dose
Patients who have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose
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Many COVID-19 resources are available through the FDA, CDC, and manufacturer websites. Below are some of the resources the Immunization Program shares most often with COVID-19 vaccine providers. If you are currently administering the vaccine or are contemplating carrying the vaccine in the future, these resources will help.
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Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
The CDC has received reports that 100 people who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine developed Guillain-Barre syndrome. Nearly 13 million Americans have received the vaccine and most have fully recovered. For more information on Guillan-Barre syndrome, see CDC's Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Vaccines.
Note: Janssen is not currently available through the State or HRSA channels. Some pharmacies may have it available. We don't know when it will be available to order through the State or HRSA.
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Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination in Adolescents
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On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to those ages 12-15 years old. On May 14, 2021, after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued the interim recommendation, 12-15 years olds were able to receive the Pfizer-BNioNTech Vaccine throughout Vermont.
Research shows that people trust their doctors most for unbiased facts about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Many parents may be waiting to speak with their pediatrician before deciding to immunize their children. Below are resources available to assist you and your staff in these discussions.
When COVID-19 vaccine will be available to those younger than 12 years old is still unknown. See Why Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine to Children Could Take Time (Medscape, June 14, 2021) for more information on this approval process for the younger ages.
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National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
CDC
ASTHO / de Beaumont
Public Health Communications Collaborative
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
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Myocarditis Following mRNA Vaccination
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Since April 2021, increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in the United States after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), particularly in adolescents and young adults. There has not been a similar reporting pattern observed after receipt of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
In most cases, patients who presented for medical care have responded well to medications and rest and had prompt improvement of symptoms. CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older given the risk of COVID-19 illness and related, possibly severe complications, such as long-term health problems, hospitalization, and even death.
Read Clinical Considerations: Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC)
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Health Care Professionals
Health Department Vaccine Information for Health Care Professionals
Find more resources about:
- Available Vaccines
- Vaccine Distribution in Vermont
- Vaccine Safety and Reporting Adverse Reactions
- Enrolling in the Vaccine Program
- Storage and Handling
- Inventory Management
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Vermont Immunization Registry
The Vermont Immunization Registry (IMR) has developed many tools to assist practices.
For more information, access, and additional tools, visit the IMR website.
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Interim Clinical Considerations
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States (CDC)
Summary of recent changes as of July 2, 2021:
- New section on considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in people with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis added to considerations for vaccination of people with certain underlying medical conditions.
- New information on the occurrence of myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines added to patient counseling.
Interim Considerations: Preparing for the Potential Management of Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)
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Educate Yourself and Patients
Vaccine Recipient Education (CDC)
Quick references for COVID-19 vaccinators to give people who want more information. The information on this page will help you share clear and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns about what to expect when getting vaccinated. This page includes:
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Vaccine Confidence and Communication
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Vaccine Breakthrough Infections
COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections Reported to CDC — United States, January 1–April 30, 2021 (CDC MMWR)
Information on vaccine breakthrough infections in Vermont is available in the Health Department Data Summaries.
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