COVID-19 Response / Vaccine–Pharmacy Guidance & Resources (Continually Updated)

As the coronavirus situation evolves, please see the information posted below.  We appreciate the work of our wonderful pharmacists and technicians!

MAIN SITE FOR TOOLKIT, CDC–Information for Healthcare Professionals

April 30, 2021, State of Alaska
Governor Dunleavy Ends Alaska Covid-19 Emergency Declaration, Signs HB76 (Continuation of Federal Relief Funds to impacted Alaskans and liability protections for Alaska Businesses)

February 3, 2021, CDC
Launching the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program FAQs for Pharmacy Partners & Jurisdictions

January 22, 2021, Alaska COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Timeline Update)
1-20-21, AK ProviderCommunityAllocationPlanning

January 12, 2021, CDC
Pharmacy Partnership Programs for COVID-19 Vaccinations FLOW CHART

January 8, 2021, ASHP
COVID-19 Vaccine Security, Storage, and Handling Resource Guide

January 4, 2021, Alaska COVID Vaccine Immunization Taskforce
Provider Update 

December 20, 2020, CDC
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

December 17, 2020, FDA
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs (Includes Advisory Update on Doses Per Vial)

December 16, 2020, CDC
Pfizer & BioNTech Vaccine, Pre-Screening / Q&A Form

December 11, 2020, Alaska COVID Vaccine Taskforce
Vaccine/LTCF Update (Pharmacy)

December 10, 2020, AKPhA Informal Meeting Notes
State of AK COVID Vaccine ECHO, 12/10/20

December 8, 2020, APhA
Vaccine Hesitancy 

December 3, 2020, Alaska Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Taskforce
Slides, December Town Hall

December 2, 2020, CDC
Healthcare Professionals: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination (cdc.gov)
Preparing to Provide COVID-19 Vaccines to Patients | CDC
Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

November 21, 2020, CDC
COVID-19 Vaccination Training Programs and Reference Materials for Health Care Professionals

November 21, 2020, CDC (Updated)
Guidance for Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians in Community Pharmacies during COVID-19

November 19, 2020, AKPhA Meeting Notes
State of AK COVID Vaccine ECHO, 11/19/20

November 12, 2020, Alaska Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Taskforce
Slides, November Town Hall

November 12, 2020, AKPhA Meeting Notes
State of AK COVID Vaccine Echo, 11/12/20
AK Regional Technical Assistance Advisors, Vaccine Distribution

November 9, 2020, FDA
Authorization of Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19

October 28, 2020, AKPhA Meeting Notes
State of AK COVID Vaccine ECHO, 10/28/20

October 23, 2020, Alaska Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Taskforce
Slides, October Town Hall

October 23, 2020–Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Technicians/Interns Administering COVID Vaccine/Tests Per HHS Mandate

October 21, 2020, Alaska Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Taskforce
LTCF Partnership for COVID Vaccine, Due 10/29

October 16, 2020, State of Alaska
COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

October 5, 2020, CDC COVID Vaccines Work Group
Phase 1 Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine:  Work Group Considerations

September 16, 2020, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Distribution Infographic
Strategy for Distributing a COVID-19 Vaccine

September 16, 2020, CDC
Vaccination Program Interim Playbook for Jurisdiction Operations

September 9, 2020, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Expanding Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, Guidance for Pharmacists in the PREP Act

September 4, 2020
Joint National Pharmacy Response to NASEM Allocation Study

September 3, 2020, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine
Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine

September 3, 2020, ASHP
10 Principles for COVID-19 vaccine development, distribution, allocation, administration, monitoring and surveillance

September 3, 2020, Alaska DHSS Influenza/COVID Vaccine Workgroup
Slides, 8/19/20 Kick-off Meeting

July 8, 2020, U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services
Allocation & Distribution of Remdesivir, Process FAQs

June 29, 2020, Alaska Pharmacists Association
Pharmacist Tools–COVID-19 Testing CE, Supplies, & Billing for Services

June 10, 2020, Alaska Medicaid
Coverage of COVID-19 Testing by Pharmacists/Training Webinar Addressing Pharmacist Billing–June 26, 1:30 pm

June 9, 2020, Alaska Chief Medical Officer
Statewide Medical Standing Order for Authorized Pharmacists to Administer COVID-19 Tests

June 9, 2020, CDC
Interim Guidance for Immunization Services During COVID-19

May 20, 2020, DHSS
Pharmacists/Pharmacies and the PREP Act–Advisory Opinion

May 20, 2020, ASHP
Pandemic Effects on Residency Programs, Q & A

May 13, 2020, Alaska Medicaid Pharmacy
Update, Disaster Relief State Plan Amendment

May 13, 2020, Alaska DHSS
AK Responders Relief Line

May 11, 2020, Medicare Learning Network
Pharmacies May Temporarily Enroll as Independent Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories

May 7, 2020, FDA
Emergency Use Authorization for Potential COVID-19 Treatment
Infection Disease Society of America on transparent & equitable distribution of remdesivir

April 29, 2020, Alaska Section for Epidemiology
Alaska Process for COVID Testing

April 28, 2020, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Healthcare Providers for Testing and Treatment of the Uninsured

April 24, 2020, CDC
Launching Clinical Reporting App for COVID-19 in May

April 24, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Updated Guidance for MA & Part D Plan Sponsors

April 24, 2020, Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (APC)
Compounder’s Shortage Drug Source

April 17, 2020, APhA
FAQs about COVID-19 Testing

April 16, 2020, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Emergency Guidance to Licensees
COVID-19 Tests:  Ordering & Administering

April 16, 2020, FDA
Flexibilities for Compounding by Outsourcing Facilities

April 15, 2020, CDC
Updated Considerations/Guidance for Pharmacy & Pharmacy Personnel

April 13, 2020, DEA
Exceptions Regarding Satellite Hospitals

April 13, 2020, USP
Operational Guidelines/Considerations for Sterile Compounding during COVID-19

April 8, 2020, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Authorizing Licensed Pharmacists to Order and Administer COVID-19 Tests

April 8, 2020, Alaska Medicaid Pharmacy
4-1-20 Update, COVID-19 Processes

April 7, 2020, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Effective 4-3-20, Emergency Regulations 
Emergency Permit Application Checklist

April 3, 2020, FDA
Development of Blood-Related Therapies for COVID-19

April 3, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS)
COVID-19 Regulatory Changes

April 3, 2020, Alaska Department of Commerce
Requirements for Insurers RE: Access to Prescription Drugs & Telehealth

March 31, 2020, Pharmacists Mutual
Short Summary, Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 30, 2020, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Link to DRAFT regulations (at end of emergency meeting minutes)
Questions & Answers, Emergency COVID-19 Declaration

March 30, 2020, DEA
Emergency CII Prescriptions, Exception to Regulations

March 30, 2020, FDA
LINK to Currently Authorized COVID-19 Tests
Expedited Review of Diagnostic Tests to Combat COVID-19

March 26, 2020, Alaska Medicaid–Updated***
COVID-19 Emergency Processes

March 25, 2020, American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, ASHP
Joint Statement:  Ordering, Prescribing, Dispensing of Medications to Treat COVID-19

March 25, 2020, USP****
Updated Guidance–Compounding of Hand Sanitizer

March 23, 2020, FDA
Alert About Unauthorized Fraudulent COVID-19 Test Kits

March 23, 2020, DEA
Early Rx Refill, Public Health Emergency

March 20, 2020, Alaska Medicaid***See Updated Guidance 3-26-20
Update, COVID-19 Emergency Processes

March 20, 2020, Joint Pharmacist Advocacy Groups
Call for New Action to Enhance COVID-19 Patient Care

March 20, 2020, Signature Log Revisions
CMS, Minimizing Face-to-Face Contact for Medication Delivery/Dispensing
CVS Caremark–Indicate COVID or COVID Delivery
OptumRx/ESI also comply

March 18, 2020, Ntl Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
How Congress Can Help-COVID-19 & Pharmacists, Recommendations

March 18, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ASHP Brief
COVID-19 and Telehealth Changes (What It Means for Pharmacists)

March 17, 2020, National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
Recommendations for Pharmacies, State Executive Orders for Declared Emergencies

March 15, 2020, Secretary Azar & White House HHS Leadership
Summary/Q&A Regarding Testing for COVID-19

March 14, 2020, FDA–See Updated Guidance from USP Above, Dated 3-25-20
Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer Products

March 13, 2020, USP
Letter to State Board of Pharmacies Regarding Garbing and PPE Shortages 
Full Guidance Document from USP

March 12, 2020, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
Alaska Board of Pharmacy COVID-19 Response, 3-12-2020

ASHP Recommendations for States—Pharmacy Readiness for Coronavirus Disease

March 11, 2020, State of Alaska
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a declaration of public health disaster emergency in response to the COVID-19 anticipated outbreak. The declaration initiates a unified command structure between the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and fully engages state departments to utilize all capabilities to ensure a swift and effective COVID-19 response
Click here for a signed copy of the disaster declaration and additional information.

Additional Sources/Handouts: