{"id":757,"date":"2020-12-21T20:37:15","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=757"},"modified":"2022-05-23T19:10:08","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T19:10:08","slug":"covid-19-update-for-virginia-10","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/covid-19-update-for-virginia-10\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Update for Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

COVID-19 Update for Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n

December 21, 2020<\/p>\n

Dear Colleague:<\/p>\n

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Virginia continue to rapidly increase across the Commonwealth, with daily reported cases reaching record-high levels during this pandemic.\u00a0 Please visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website<\/a> for current epidemiologic data and guidance.\u00a0 The following updates are included in this document:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Updates<\/li>\n
  2. COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation<\/li>\n
  3. Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel and LTCF Residents<\/li>\n
  4. Interim Recommendations for Quarantine Duration for Healthcare Personnel<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong>Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Updates <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On December 11, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine<\/a> for individuals 16 years of age and older.\u00a0 CDC\u2019s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued an interim recommendation for <\/a>use of this vaccine<\/a> in persons 16 years and older.<\/p>\n

    On December 18, FDA issued an EUA for Moderna, Inc. COVID-19 Vaccine<\/a> for individuals 18 years of age and older.\u00a0 ACIP met on December 19 issued an interim recommendation for use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine<\/a> in persons aged 18 years of age and older.<\/p>\n

    On December 20, CDC published Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Although the timeline for FDA\u2019s EUAs and the ACIP recommendations were expedited, the detailed review of all available data was based on the same rigorous standard used for other vaccines.<\/p>\n

    Updates on COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 1a Vaccine Allocation and Phases 1b and 1c Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n

    In accordance with ACIP Phase 1a Recommendations<\/a>, vaccine is being allocated to healthcare personnel (HCP) and long term care facility residents at this time. The Virginia Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (VDMAC) issued guidance<\/a> on the prioritization of COVID-19 vaccine among health care personnel.\u00a0 VDH is committed to getting COVID-19 vaccine to providers as quickly as possible and appreciates your patience. Local health departments are working with health care systems and other providers in their communities to reach out to practices and provide information about vaccination opportunities.<\/p>\n

    In Virginia, the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine arrived on December 14 and were administered on December 15.\u00a0 The first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are arriving at sites in Virginia beginning today.<\/p>\n

    VDH was notified December 18<\/a> by the federal government that Virginia\u2019s estimated allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses will be less than initially planned for the next few weeks. Virginia is now planning to receive 370,650 doses of vaccine in December 2020 from Pfizer and Moderna. This is down from the previously expected 480,000 doses.<\/p>\n

    On December 20, ACIP met to discuss COVID-19 vaccine prioritization during Phases 1b and 1c<\/a>.\u00a0 VDMAC will review these recommendations and provide guidance for Virginia in the near future.<\/p>\n

    Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel and LTCF Residents <\/strong><\/p>\n

    CDC recently released Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel<\/a> and Post Vaccine Considerations for Residents<\/a> of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) for the evaluation and management of post-vaccination signs and symptoms.\u00a0 When making decisions about worker exclusion, placement of LTCF residents, and infection prevention and control precautions, clinicians should assess the person\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination history and timing, the signs and symptoms and likelihood of being related to vaccination, other potential COVID-19 exposures, and any laboratory test results.<\/p>\n

    VDH Interim Recommendations for Quarantine Duration for Healthcare Personnel <\/strong><\/p>\n

    On December 15, VDH posted Interim Recommendations for Quarantine Duration for Healthcare Personnel<\/a> (HCP).\u00a0 VDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to recommend a 14-day quarantine period after the last close contact to a person with COVID-19 as the safest option to protect HCP and patients.\u00a0 For healthcare facilities that may be experiencing staffing shortages because of COVID-19, CDC previously issued guidance<\/a> that allows healthcare facilities to implement mitigation strategies, including allowing asymptomatic exposed HCP to work before the end of the 14-day quarantine and before all Return to Work Criteria<\/a> are met. For additional details, see VDH guidance.<\/p>\n

    As 2020 comes to a close, we hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season and new year.\u00a0 Please continue to contact your local health department<\/a> if you have questions about COVID-19.<\/p>\n

    For updated COVID-19 vaccine information, educational opportunities for healthcare professionals, facts sheets, and information on provider enrollment, please visit the VDH COVID-19 Vaccination website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Sincerely,<\/p>\n

    M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA<\/p>\n

    State Health Commissioner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    COVID-19 Update for Virginia December 21, 2020 Dear Colleague: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Virginia continue to rapidly increase across the Commonwealth, with daily reported cases reaching record-high levels during this pandemic.\u00a0 Please visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website for current epidemiologic data and guidance.\u00a0 The following updates are included in this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":283,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-757","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nCOVID-19 Update for Virginia - Clinicians<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/covid-19-update-for-virginia-10\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COVID-19 Update for Virginia - 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