Requested Actions
- Be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have endorsed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization of a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for specific groups. These second boosters are particularly important for people over 65 and for people over 50 with certain underlying medical conditions. These changes now allow:
- A second booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 50 and older and for people 12 and older who are immune compromised at least 4 months after their first booster dose.
- A second booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 50 and older and people 18 and older who are immune compromised at least 4 months after their first booster dose.
- Following newly published data, a second booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the primary and first booster dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years or older.
- Be aware, on April 5, 2022, at 8:59 pm PT, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program will stop accepting vaccine administration claims due to lack of sufficient funds. Testing and treatment claims ended March 22.
- Federally qualified health centers, rural health centers, free clinics, public hospital districts, behavioral health providers or facilities, behavioral health administrative service organizations, and community-based organizations can apply to receive federal resources for health care services provided to uninsured and underinsured individuals living under 200% of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status through the Health Care Authority Uninsured Care Expansion Grant. Submit your application before April 15, 2022 at 5 pm.
- Be aware, Washington State Department of Health (DOH) discontinued ordering Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage providers to post and look for available doses on the Immunization Information System’s vaccine advertisement page. Email questions and concerns to vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
- Teach patients how to access, use and interpret at-home antigen test kits. Direct patients to the many COVID-19 testing sites in Whatcom County.
- Print and share our flyer about how to access antigen tests.
- Teach patients with mild to moderate illness how to care for themselves at home and when to go to the emergency department.
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- Share with patients:
- Urge patients to report positive home tests at: https://redcap.link/whatcomreport
COVID-19 vaccine information
- Clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccine, CDC.
- Clinician outreach and communication activity (COCA) call slides, CDC.
- Booster dose updates, Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Emergency use authorization (EUA) and FDA-approved vaccine information:
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- Pfizer (Comirnaty).
- Moderna (Spikevax).
- Johnson & Johnson.
- COVID-19 vaccine locator, DOH.
- COVID-19 vaccine for providers, Whatcom County Health Department.
- COVID-19 vaccine provider toolkit and resources, DOH.
- COVID-19 vaccination for providers, CDC.
- Clinical considerations for COVID-19 vaccination and guidance for managing anaphylaxis, CDC.
- COVID-19 vaccine quick reference guide for healthcare professionals, CDC.
- COVID-19 vaccine training module on best practices for providers, CDC.
COVID-19 testing
- K–12 test requirements to return to school.
- Antigen test guidance, CDC.
- For help with questions or accessing resources, contact covid@co.whatcom.wa.us, (360) 778-6100 or https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3388/COVID-19-Testing.
COVID-19 therapies
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocates monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals to each state. DOH distributes doses to enrolled providers. Providers must enroll in Healthcare Partner Ordering Portal (HPoP) to manage COVID-19 therapies. Email mcm@doh.wa.gov for support enrolling.
Once enrolled, to request a supply of monoclonal antibodies or therapeutics, complete a smart sheet.
Supplies of all therapies are widely available. Commercial and independent pharmacies may have oral antivirals. Hospital-associated systems may have monoclonal antibodies. All therapies must be dispensed by prescription. Therapies from pharmacies may be intended for home delivery. Patients with questions about accessing their medication should call the pharmacy.
Washington is among the states where as of March 29, 2022 the CDC estimates that the proportion of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant is above 50%. For this reason, Sotrovimab is not authorized at this time for use in Washington State.
Infusion Solutions will now offer only Bebtelovimab as a treatment for COVID-19. Please use Infusion Solutions new order form if you determine that Bebtelovimab is appropriate for your patients. Please note, it is now recommended to be given within 7 days of symptom onset, instead of 10 days with the previously authorized COVID treatment mAbs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nowcast data.
Additional information
- HHS COVID-19 therapeutics locator for providers.
- DOH therapeutics for providers page.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 treatment guidelines.
COVID-19 prevention
Share with patients:
- What to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
- What to do if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Contacting the Health Department
360-778-6100 Main Call Line – available M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm
360-715-2588 Afterhours Answering Service – available after 4:30pm and weekends
360-778-6150 Communicable Disease Report Line – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
360-778-6103 Confidential Communicable Disease Fax – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
1500 N State Street, Bellingham WA 98225