12/2/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers

doctor with arms crossed holding stethoscope

Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers

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Background.

COVID-19 Vaccination.

Last week, DOH announced an estimate of 62,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine may be available as early as mid-December for initial allocation across the state. Around 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine may be available for the state by the end of December. Regular weekly shipments should begin in January.

Moderna submitted its application for an emergency use authorization for its vaccine to the FDA on Nov. 30. If approved, around 180,000 doses may be available to the state by the end of 2020.

DOH created a phased vaccine allocation plan that will be updated in the coming weeks. The first people eligible to receive vaccine are high-risk workers in healthcare settings. Healthcare institutions should start now to identify which employees are appropriate to receive the vaccine in this early phase.

Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures. Fortunately, locations that do not have ultra-cold storage capacity can store this vaccine in its special thermal shipping package. This allows additional sites to receive the vaccine if they can vaccinate at least 975 people in 20 days. DOH is working on a policy to allow hospitals that don’t expect to vaccinate 975 people to transfer extra vaccine to other enrolled facilities.

On Dec. 1, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) hosted an emergency meeting to discuss allocation of initial supplies and post-authorization safety monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch the meeting online.

Provider enrollment.

Clinics, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers who enroll in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program by Dec. 6 will be eligible to receive part of the first shipment.  Enroll now.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will ship vaccine directly to enrolled providers once vaccine is available. Providers will be responsible for storing and administering the vaccine.

DOH will host a meeting 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, for colleagues who work in healthcare settings to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. If interested in attending, email OICP@doh.wa.gov.

Vaccine resources.

COVID-19 test processing.

Labs report varying amounts of time to process COVID-19 tests. To support faster turnaround, we encourage providers to use in-state labs. See current COVID-19 test processing times for in-state private labs below.

Lab Time to process test Tests processed daily
 FidaLab  N/A  1,500
 Kaiser  48 hours  1,500
 LabCorp  4-5 days  13,000-15,000
 Northwest Pathology  24-48 hours  15,000-25,000
 Quest  24-48 hours  1,000
 UW Virology  48-72 hours  13,000
 Atlas Genomic  48 hours  2,500

Additional resources.