Through an ongoing partnership with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan birthing hospitals are reminded to enroll as a Vaccine for Children (VFC) Specialty Provider in order to administer the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) to VFC eligible patients.
Beyfortus is recommended for children ages 19 months and younger and ideally should be administered during the birth hospitalization. The CDC recommends that Beyfortus be administered prior to the start of the RSV season, but can be administered during the RSV season as well. One dose of Beyfortus is expected to last at least five months and can be co-administered with other immunizations, including the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.
The CDC strongly recommends that birthing hospitals who are currently enrolled in the VFC program as a universal Hepatitis B provider carry and administer nirsevimab throughout the 2024-2025 respiratory season. To do so, birthing hospitals should become a VFC specialty provider, which allow facilities to administer both the Hepatitis B vaccine and Beyfortus to VFC eligible patients.
MDHHS and local health departments have worked diligently to streamline VFC specialty provider enrollment and are encouraging sites to enroll. To begin the process, members are encouraged to complete the Beyfortus Eligibility Screening Plan and email it to the MDHHS Division of Immunizations.
More information about the distinction on VFC provider types can be found in the MHA newsroom.
Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Questions related to VFC program enrollment can be directed to the MDHHS Division of Immunizations.