Dear Provider:
There are two new pediatric vaccine products available for order by providers enrolled to receive vaccines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Immunization Division.
PRIORIX (Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine) from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals - for the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella in persons aged ≥12 months. The three live attenuated viruses contained in PRIORIX are genetically similar or identical to the corresponding components in Merck’s M-M-R II.
PRIORIX is supplied as a single-dose vial of lyophilized antigen to be reconstituted with the accompanying prefilled syringe of sterile water diluent. A single dose after reconstitution is approximately 0.5 mL. PRIORIX is formulated without preservatives and is administered as subcutaneous injection (the same as M-M-R II).
Since 1978, M-M-R II has been the only MMR combination vaccine used in the United States. In June 2022, the FDA licensed an additional MMR vaccine, PRIORIX.
The ACIP recommends PRIORIX as an additional option to prevent MMR. Both vaccines are interchangeable for all indications for which MMR vaccination is recommended. Availability from multiple manufacturers safeguards U.S. vaccine supply.
VAXNEUVANCE (15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) from Merck – for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F in individuals 6 weeks of age and older.
Like PCV13, VAXNEUVANCE (PCV15) is supplied as a 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe for intramuscular injection.
Currently, PCV13 and PPSV23 are recommended for U.S. children, and the recommendations vary by age group and risk group. In June 2022, the ACIP recommended use of PCV15 as an option for pneumococcal conjugate vaccination of persons aged <19 years, according to currently recommended PCV13 dosing and schedules. Risk-based recommendations on use of PPSV23 have not changed.
ACIP recommends use of PCV (either PCV13 or PCV15) for all children aged 2–59 months. In addition, risk-based PCV use is recommended for children aged 60–71 months with risk conditions and persons aged 6–18 years with an immunocompromising condition, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant. For all recommendations, PCV13 and PCV15 can be used interchangeably. Use of PCV15 as an alternative to PCV13 is expected to further reduce pneumococcal disease incidence in children and adolescents.
PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) has a new vaccine code that will need to be used to ensure proper reporting to the MIIS while Priorix will use the same MMR vaccine code as M-M-R II. Please be sure your EHR vendor is aware of these codes:
- PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) – CVX code is 215
- MMR (PRIORIX) – CVX code is 03
Since these are both new vaccines, providers will need to use the "Add a Vaccine" hyperlink to add these vaccines when placing an order for the first time in the MIIS. Please use the New Order Mini Guide found in the MIIS training center for help.
As providers consider changing the vaccine they will use for their patient populations, they must not allow vaccines to expire. Considerations should also be made to not waste current inventory. Providers should call the Vaccine Management Unit at 617-983-6828 if they have any questions on how to begin ordering PRIORIX or Vaxneuvance.
