The New York State Department of Health (DOH) e-mailed (attached) all enrolled vaccinators outside of New York City to announce that Pfizer vaccine requests must now be placed in multiples of 1,170 doses. This accounts for six-dose vials (195 six-dose vials for a total of 1,170 doses) that most vaccine providers have reported drawing. The change in Pfizer dose estimates also is applicable to planning requests made by New York City-enrolled vaccinators through the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). There is no change to the Moderna vaccine request parameters. Moderna vaccine requests must continue to be entered in multiples of 100 doses.
DOH also clarified its vaccine planning request guidance (attached) reinforcing that planning requests are due on Mondays by 5:00 p.m. and should not be entered in advance. This is necessary due to the timing of when DOH must make allocation decisions and place orders.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has informed GNYHA that it will share similar guidance for New York City-enrolled vaccinators for entering information into the CIR.
New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Program Guidance for Vaccine Transport
DOH has also released updates to the COVID-19 Vaccine Transport Guidance (attached) and the COVID-19 Vaccine Transport Tracking Sheet to include more detail regarding refrigeration and a recap of guidance on the Tracking Sheet itself.