Provider Guidance for Pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Preparations
October 22, 2021Nashville, TN – Pfizer is in the process of approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the vaccine for pediatric patients age 5-11 years old. The pediatric vaccine will be one third of the current adolescent/adult dose and will be a 10 mcg / 0.2 mL dose after dilution. Pediatric doses are a completely new configuration and are not interchangeable with the adult formulation. The vials will have an orange cap with orange writing on the vial itself as well as the age 5-11 years written. Please pay close attention each time you are administering a dose to ensure you have the correct presentation.
Ordering
You may begin ordering in TennIIS starting Thursday, Oct. 21. The name of the vaccine is listed as: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine - Pediatric 5 - 11 years (300) and has a minimum order quantity of 300. Although the vaccine will not ship immediately, there is a chance that you may receive it prior to official approval from both ACIP and CDC. NOTE: FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet October 26th to discuss Pfizer’s submission for vaccines for 5–11-year-old children. Then, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet to discuss this issue on Nov. 2-3. Vaccinations for 5–11-year-olds should not begin until after CDC makes a recommendation for use, consistent with requirements in the provider agreement.
Storage and Handling
The product will be delivered in a newly updated product shipper at -80° C. Once the product arrives at the provider site, it can be stored for up to 6 months at ultracold temperatures of -90° to -60° C and 10 weeks at refrigerated temperatures of 2° to 8° C. This product cannot be stored in a regular freezer. Please see the table at the end of this memo for additional details of Pfizer products and formulations.
Suspended Ordering for Adult Vaccine
Due to the roll out of the pediatric vaccine, ordering the 12-year-old + vaccine formulation will be on federal hold starting at 9:00am EST on Friday Oct. 29. Ordering will restart on Thursday, Nov. 4. Please order the 12-year-old + vaccine formulation prior to this down time if you need additional Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Ordering Smaller Quantities
If you do not wish to order the minimum quantity of 300 doses (pediatric or adult), you can email Vaccine.Transport@tn.gov with a request for a smaller amount and we will do our best to transfer vaccine from another facility once they have vaccine in stock. Another option will be for you to utilize the DEPOT order set (COMING SOON). From the order set drop down, you will select: PFIZER COVID-19 SMALL QUANTITY ORDER. Please stay tuned for additional information regarding this process.
Click here to download an informational chart.
This information was received from the Tennessee Department of Health.