Vaccine Administration

These resources provide operational, clinical, and product-specific guidance from CDPH, CDC, vaccine manufacturers, and more. Find job aids below to help set up the proper protocols in your clinic.

Jump to Topic:

• Policies and Resources
• General Guidance
• Vaccination Program Technical Considerations
• Training for Vaccinators
• Clinical Considerations & Recommendations
• Vaccine Information: Pfizer-BioNTech | Moderna Vaccine | Janssen Vaccine
• Vaccine Safety Monitoring (VAERS and v-safe)
• Long-Term Care Facility Resources
• Vaccination During a Pandemic and Planning Vaccine Clinics
• Billing and Reimbursement

Policies and Resources

• Vaccine Administration at a Glance (California COVID-19 Vaccination Program)
• Patient Visit Checklist
• Licencees Authorized to Administer Vaccines in California
• COVID-19 Vaccine Policies & Guidance (CMS)
• COVIDvax Provider Toolkit (CMS)

COVID-19 Vaccine General Guidance

• FAQs for Healthcare Professionals
• Clinical Resources (CDC)
• COVID-19 What’s New Page (CDC)
• COVID-19 Vaccination: Healthcare Workers (CDC)
• Planning and Partnerships (CDC)
• California COVID-19 State Website
• COVID-19 Vaccine Planning (CDPH)
• Revision of Allocation Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccine (CDPH)

Vaccination Program Technical Considerations

• CDC’s Vaccine Product Information Guide (preparation & administration)
• Training Modules for Healthcare Providers (CDC)
• Vaccine Administation Tools (CDC Resource Library)
• Pre-vaccination Screening Checklist | Spanish (CDC) |  14 Languages (My Turn)
• Minor Consent Guidance for Pfizer Vaccine (CDC)
• VaxText Second Dose Reminder (CDC)
• Report Ancillary Kit Issues to FDA | Consumer Reporting

Training for Vaccinators

These resources may be used to quickly train vaccinators. Supervisors should provide additional hands-on training and supervision until proficiency is demonstrated.

Clinical Considerations and Recommendations

CDPH Resources

• Tips to Ease Anxiety During Vaccination (CDPH)
• Training for Non-traditional Vaccinators (CDPH)
• Tips for Pharmacists and Parents to Ease Anxiety During Vaccination (CDPH)
• Vaccine Administration Checklist
• Preventing Administration Errors
• Comparison Guide of COVID-19 Vaccine Products (includes administration & handling details)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Chart (also in Spanish) | Summary of Related Guidance and Requirements
• Expanding Vaccination Capacity (Provider Readiness Checklist)
• Coadministration with Other Vaccines | Tips
• Monitoring for Anaphylaxis: Practical Tips for Providers 
• Vaccinating Dialysis Patients Fact Sheet

Partner Resources

• Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States (CDC)
• COVID-19 ACIP Vaccine Recommendations (ACIP)
• How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations (CDC)
• Preparing for Anaphylaxis at COVID-19 Vaccination Sites (CDC)
• COCA Calls (slide sets/webinars for clinicians regarding specific COVID-19 vaccine products and vaccine safety) (CDC)
• Lab Tests After Severe Allergic Reaction (CDC)
• Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel (CDC)
• Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adults in a Community Setting
• Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients Against COVID-19: CDC | ACOG
• Coronavirus, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (ACOG)
• Maternal Immunization Task Force and Partners Urge That COVID-19 Vaccine be Available to Pregnant Individuals
• Community Vaccine Advisory Committee slide sets

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• CDC Resources
• ACIP Recommendation (CDC)
• EUA information (FDA) 
• EUA Vaccine Fact Sheet for Providers Administering Vaccine (FDA)
• EUA Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (FDA)
• EUA Vaccine Fact Sheet with Acceptance/Declination Form | Spanish (optional resource for employers) 
• Standing Orders for Administering Vaccine: Pfizer 5-11 Years | 12+ Years
• Vaccine Preparation and Administration Summary: Pfizer 5-11 Years | 12+ Years
• Vaccine Preparation & Mixing Infographic: Pfizer 5 Years & Older
• Vaccine Dosage Chart: Pfizer 5 Years & Older
• Low Dead-Volume (LDV) Syringes & Needles
• Local Reactions, Systemic Reactions, Adverse Events, Serious Adverse Events (CDC)
• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine website (Pfizer-BioNTech)
• Recommendation Regarding Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup)

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• CDC Resources (CDC)
• ACIP Recommendation (CDC)
• EUA Information (FDA)
• EUA Fact Sheet for Providers Administering Vaccine (FDA)
• EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (FDA)
• EUA Vaccine Fact Sheet with Acceptance/Declination Form | Spanish (optional resource for employers)
• Standing Orders Template (CDC)
• Vaccine Preparation & Administration Summary (CDC)
• Local Reactions, Systemic Reactions, Adverse Events, Serious Adverse Events (CDC)
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine website (Moderna)
• Recommendation Regarding Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup)

Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• CDC Resources
• ACIP Recommendation (CDC)
• EUA Information
• EUA Fact Sheet for Providers Administering Vaccine (FDA)
• EUA Fact Sheet for Recepients and Caregivers (FDA)
• Standing Orders Template (CDC)
• Vaccine Preparation & Administration Summary
• Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine website (Janssen)

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring (VAERS and v-safe) 

• Vaccine Safety Monitoring (CDC)
• Vaccine Safety Information for Healthcare Providers (CDC)
• Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States (CDC)
• Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
• 12 Things States Need to Know about VAERS
• VAERS and VERP fact sheet (reporting adverse events and administration errors)

V-safe (after vaccination health tracking app)

• Information Sheet | (other languages) (CDC)
• Poster (CDC)
• Registration (CDC)

Long-Term Care Facility Resources 

• Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit (CDPH)
• Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Residents (CDC)
• Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care FAQs (CDC)
• Post Vaccine Considerations for Residents (CDC)
• Interim Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facility Residents (CDC)
• Everyone in Long-Term Care Needs Protection Against COVID-19 and Influenza poster | Spanish | Tagalog (CDPH)

Vaccination During a Pandemic and Planning Vaccine Clinics

• Volunteer Services Supporting Vaccination Needs (CDPH)
• Contracted Staff and Turnkey Resources for Vaccination Needs (CDPH)
• Interim Guidance For Routine and Influenza Immunization Services During the Pandemic | PDF (CDC)
• Planning Curbside/Drive-Through Vaccination Clinics (CDC)
• Accessibility at Drive-Through Medical Sites Fact Sheet | Checklist (Pacific ADA Center)
• Planning Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations (CDC)
• Vaccinating Homebound Persons With COVID-19 Vaccine
• Patient Safety Checklist for Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations
• Toolkit for Summer Camps
• Boosters and Expanded Eligibility: Provider Readiness Checklist (CDPH)

Billing and Reimbursement

• COVID-19 Vaccine at No Cost to Recipients (CDC)
• Medicare COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Payment (CMS)
• COVID-19 Provider Toolkits (CMS)
• COVID-19 Care for Uninsured Individuals (HHS)
• HHS Launches New Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees not Covered by Insurance
• COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement Quick Guide (CMA)

Medi-Cal

• Coverage of Immunizations
• Reimbursement Rates
• Immunization Billing Guidelines
• COVID-19 Policy
• Vaccine Specific Policies: Pfizer | Moderna  | Janssen
• Provider Manuals for General Claim Submissions
• Contact Information
• Provider Billing Questions: (800) 541-5555
  (8AM – 5PM M-F, excluding holidays)