On Behalf Of doh.sm.NY.Vaccines.for.Children
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2023 9:27 AM
To: doh.dl.NYS_DOH_VFC-L <NYS_DOH_VFC-L@listserv.health.state.ny.us>
Subject: VFC Policy Flexibility on Private Inventory Requirements for COVID-19 vaccine and nirsevimab
Importance: High

Dear Vaccines for Children Provider:

CDC has announced updated Vaccines for Children (VFC) program policy flexibilities, which will allow VFC providers temporary flexibility to meet the private inventory requirements for nirsevimab and COVID-19 vaccine. During this time, the VFC program will not require VFC providers to meet the private inventory requirements for nirsevimab or COVID-19 vaccine. VFC providers are required to meet the private inventory requirement no later than March 31, 2024, for COVID-19 vaccine and August 1, 2024, for nirsevimab.

While VFC providers are not required to meet the private inventory requirements for nirsevimab and COVID-19 vaccine during this time-limited ramp-up period, New York State encourages providers to prioritize purchasing of COVID-19 vaccine for children under five years of age when possible.  Pharmacists in New York State are only authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children 3 years of age and older, and many pharmacies are even more restrictive in the ages they serve.  Many local health departments do not have the capacity to contract with private health insurance plans, so cannot vaccinate privately insured patients.  The medical home is the best place for young children to receive vaccinations.   

Finally, CDC is aware from the manufacturer of the nirsevimab product that there are already supply and demand issues in the nirsevimab pipeline this season.  This will make maintaining private stock even more challenging for some providers, meaning this temporary policy change is even more relevant for RSV this season.  

We hope these policies provide additional flexibility for immunization programs as we enter this respiratory season.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Vaccines for Children program.

If you have any questions, please email NYVFC@health.ny.gov.

Thank you.

New York State Vaccine Program

ESP Corning Tower

Albany, NY 12237