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FDA Grants Emergency Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants

COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines offer high levels of protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death — especially for people who receive vaccine boosters. They are now included in the 2024 CDC Immunization Schedules.
 


COVID-19 vaccines

CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination Clinical & Professional Resources

The AAFP looks to the CDC as the primary source for family physicians. You'll find Interim Clinical Considerations, information on each COVID-19 vaccine, provider support, vaccine counseling guidance, and COVID-19 tracking. 


The Latest: 

FDA Issues Dosage Advisory for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

The FDA issued an advisory and an updated fact sheet this week regarding the correct dosage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for infants and young children. 

CDC Updates Guidance for the 2023-24 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

The CDC has updated clinical guidance for the Novavax Vaccine. Read the summary on the the CDC web site.

New COVID-19 Vaccines Spur CPT Coding Overhaul

The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel has updated its COVID-19 vaccine coding guidance with the release of COVID shots reformulated to target new variants. Read a summary of the updated guidance and get a list of the new active codes on FMP Journal's Getting Paid blog.

CDC Updates Clinical Considerations

As of  May 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Please visit the Interim COVID-19 vaccine schedules to obtain the most updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations.

Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine No Longer Available in U.S.

Guidance for use of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine has been removed as the vaccine is no longer available in the United States.

FDA Amends Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent EUA

The FDA amended the EUA of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalentto provide for a single booster dose of the vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years of age at least 2 months after completion of primary vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccine
Clinical Considerations

Includes revised  schedules for children 6 months-4 years, people over 6 years and people over 65 years. 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Under 5

How to talk with parents and caregivers about their concerns

Now that the COVID-19 vaccines are widely available for children and adolescents 6 months and older, parents and caregivers may have questions for you. Answering their questions and providing your expert opinion about COVID-19 vaccines can help reassure them about the safety of vaccinating their children.

To guide you and your practice team in these conversations, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has provided common questions, quick answers, and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist you in these important discussions.

COVID-19 Vaccines: A Survey of Attitudes and Practices Among Family Physicians

A web-based survey authored by AAFP's Vaccine Science Fellows indicates that most family physicians believe vaccine assessment is integral to their role, and their recommendations matter to patients.

ACOG: COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Training

Building COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence One Conversation at a Time


Access ACOG's six-part online training series

Virus mutations are common, and SARS-CoV-2 variants continue being detected. The CDC is monitoring these variants and tracking spread across the U.S., as well as the effect on infection and disease. Researchers are also checking vaccine effectiveness against the different variants. 

As of Nov. 30, the CDC recognized Omicron as a new variant of concern. There aren't a lot of details at this time. They will continue tracking the mutation and its impact. 

This past summer and fall, the Delta variant spread faster and caused more infections. According to the CDC, it has 

  • Increased transmissibility29
  • Potential reduction in neutralization by some EUA monoclonal antibody treatments 7, 14
  • Potential reduction in neutralization by post-vaccination sera 21

It is important to note that all the variants appear to have increased efficiency in spreading from person to person so the use of mitigation measures like masks, ventilation, hand washing, physical distancing, and quarantine are paramount. A Variant Classification scheme that defines classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants has been developed and information for the different variants is provided at the CDC's variant page.

The B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.427 (Epsilon), B.1.429 (Epsilon), and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants circulating in the United States are classified as variants of concern. Use the CDC's map to see where the different variants are found in the U.S.

  • COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Key to Saving Lives: This joint statement reinforces that pregnant individuals are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection, ICU admission, and death, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. If an individual is pregnant, the best way to protect themselves and their pregnancy against the potential harm.
  • COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy: With more than 20 health care organizations, the AAFP strongly urges individuals who are pregnant, recently pregnant, planning to become pregnant or lactating to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

 

 

Coding and Payment

The American Medical Association continues publishing COVID-19 vaccine and administration codes. Their unique structure allows for tracking and accommodating multiple COVID-19 vaccines.  

CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Check out information on the CDC's COVID-19 site, including:


Expect updates to this site, plus CDC’s Vaccination and Immunization site, as more information is available. It's critical that jurisdictions and federal entities receiving vaccine have information to implement an effective COVID-19 vaccination program.


COVID-19 Member Community

More than 900 AAFP members are talking here. Join the conversation on COVID-19 challenges and vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccine Patient Education Resources

FAQs, articles and videos are available to support COVID-19 vaccine discussions with your patients.

CDC Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to questions about the vaccine. Additional resources are listed in the CDC Resources tab above.

AAFP Advocacy

The AAFP is working to ensure that family physicians are prioritized in federal and state vaccine strategies.

AAFP COVID-19 Web Site

Find resources to support your practice and teams, from telehealth guidelines to testing information.

AAFP Vaccine Resources

Find what you need to care for patients from birth to advanced age, including influenza recommendations.