
Alex Lipovtsev
New York State Vaccine Updates: Week 9 Guidance and Future Eligible Priority Groups
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issued new guidance for Week 9 of the New York State COVID-19 vaccination program. Beginning in Week 10 on February 15, adults over the age of 16 with specific comorbidities and underlying conditions will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. This week’s guidance instructs local health departments (LHDs) to coordinate with health care providers in their region to determine the best way to vaccinate those individuals. The Week 9 guidance also reviews:
Vaccine provider responsibilities, including prioritization and data tracking
Vaccinating individuals from outside of your facility or practice
Second dose and “extra dose” guidance
Using any remaining COVID-19 vaccine doses
The mandatory vaccine form
Proof of occupation or eligibility
Vaccine safety
Equity considerations
Secure Disposal of Vaccine Vials and Packaging Recommendations The U.S. Department of Defense has released a memo on the secure disposal of COVID-19 vaccine vials and packaging. The memo recommends that vaccinators either 1) treat vials and packaging similarly to medical waste by placing it in red sharps containers or 2) deface all or safely crush materials so it cannot be reintroduced or reproduced. After the products are sufficiently defaced, then dispose with regular waste.