State health authorities are asking COVID-19 vaccinators who will immunize children from ages 6 months through 5 years to preorder the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that will collectively serve that age group once they’re approved.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is taking preorders for the Pfizer vaccine for ages 6 months to 4 years (maroon-cap vial) and the Moderna shot for ages 6 months to 5 years (blue-cap vial) in the state’s Vaccine Allocation & Ordering System (VAOS).
Vaccinators can preorder one or both vaccine types. Both vaccines are awaiting emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DSHS says the shots can be shipped once FDA issues the emergency authorization for them; however, vaccine administration can’t begin until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the shots.
Preorders received by June 14 are anticipated to be delivered on June 20, DSHS says. A full-pack-size order consists of 100 doses, or 10 vials. If vaccinators want to place smaller orders, they should be made in increments of 10 doses, or one vial.
DSHS says vaccinators who haven’t made their required monthly inventory report in VAOS won’t be able to place orders until they do so. Vaccine allocations will be made based on doses available to the state, and DSHS may not be able to fill all requested doses during initial ordering. Pediatric ancillary kits, which contain necessary materials such as needles, syringes, and shot cards, will be automatically added to orders and ship when the vaccine does.
Email DSHS with questions.
Last Updated On
June 03, 2022
Originally Published On
June 03, 2022