COVID19 Updates

Question 1

Vaccines Currently Authorized for Emergency Use (or FDA-Approved)

Answer 1

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• Janssen

Question 2

How was the vaccine developed so quickly?

Answer 2

• Built on previous knowledge
• mRNA technology are much faster to produce than traditional vaccines
• No financial barriers (govt heavily funded)
• Safety standards were still met
• No steps in development were skipped
• Some states (CA/NY) reviewed independently
• Ongoing safety monitoring via V-safe, VAERS

Question 3

Side Effects

Answer 3

• Expected local side effects
- Pain, redness, swelling at the injection site

• Possible systemic side effects

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fever
• Chills

Question 4

Syncope

Answer 4

• Temporary loss of consciousness cause by decreased blood flow to brain
• Triggered by pain/anxiety
• Happens after many types of vaccines
• May be more common in adolescents***
• Falling after fainting can cause injuries
- Make sure pt is seated or lying down
• Have some snacks, beverages on hand
• Call EMS if patient does not regain consciousness quickly

Question 5

Beware of Vaccine Errors

Answer 5

• Age-related COVID-19 vaccine mix-ups
- Ages 12+ received formulation intended for children 5 to 11 years (and vice versa)
- Different color caps to help differentiate vials but cap is often removed and discarded
• Pediatric vaccine formulated to be less concentrated to ensure accurate measurement

• Mix-ups between the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines

• Many events reported in community/ambulatory care pharmacies
• Reasons included unlabeled syringes, distractions, syringes next to each other in vaccine area

Question 6

Vaccine Hesitancy - Communication Pearls

Answer 6

• Build trust

• Share clear, complete, and accurate messages
• Communicate transparently
• Providing regular updates on benefits, safety, side effects
• Proactively address and mitigate spread of misinformation

• Share your experience and reasons for getting vaccinated

• Patients, family, and friends
• Visibly show you received the vaccine (stickers, buttons, etc.)

• Be prepared for questions

Question 7

Relevant Board of Pharmacy Law Waivers

Answer 7

• A pharmacist shall NOT be required to notify each patient’s PCP of a COVID-19 vaccine administration
• All other documentation and reporting requirements remain in effect, including reporting to the immunization registry.
*Expiration: 90 days after emergency declaration is lifted

• Ratio of pharmacists to intern pharmacists may increase to allow for two additional intern pharmacists for each supervising pharmacist under the following conditions:

• only immunization activities
• interns are certified
• readily retrievable records
• Expiration: June 30, 2022 or 30 days after lift

Question 8

Vaccine Administration

Answer 8

• For most patients – a 1” needle is appropriate
• If you use a 5/8” needle – do NOT bunch tissue and inject at a 90-degree
angle
• Remember to use SAFETY needle

Question 9

COVID-19 Testing

Answer 9

• Viral test indicates if current infection

1) Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs)
2) Antigen tests

• Antibody test (aka serology test) indicates past infection
- Not used to diagnose current infection