California Bridge Access Program

No-cost COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured & underinsured adults

Alerts:
Vaccine Updates Report waste in myCAvax for deauthorized products by Saturday, September 30, 2023 by 11:59 PM PT: Deauthorized COVID-19 Vaccine Inventory Checklist. BAP Ordering Began September 18, 2023. Providers selected to participate in BAP were notified. 9/18 BAP Tentative Routine Ordering Cadence Calendar NEW BAP-eligible providers needing support with myCAvax should contact the Provider Call Center. Provider Letter – Discontinuation of CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program (CDC) NEW Clinical Guidance COVID-19 Vaccine Product Guide 9/20 COVID-19 Vaccine Timing Guide 9/20 CDPH Vaccine and Clinic Eligibility Guidelines by Funding Source 9/19 BAP providers are contractually obligated to add vaccine availability to vaccines.gov NEW Guidance for Reporting to Vaccines.gov (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization FAQs Updated 9/13 Commercialization at a Glance: Provider Transition Guide Updated 9/15 CDC Updated Standing Order Templates for Moderna and Pfizer (CDC) NEW

Alerts:

Vaccine Updates

Report waste in myCAvax for deauthorized products by Saturday, September 30, 2023 by 11:59 PM PT: Deauthorized COVID-19 Vaccine Inventory Checklist.
BAP Ordering Began September 18, 2023. Providers selected to participate in BAP were notified. 9/18
BAP Tentative Routine Ordering Cadence Calendar NEW
BAP-eligible providers needing support with myCAvax should contact the Provider Call Center.
Provider Letter – Discontinuation of CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program (CDC) NEW

Clinical Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccine Product Guide 9/20
COVID-19 Vaccine Timing Guide 9/20
CDPH Vaccine and Clinic Eligibility Guidelines by Funding Source 9/19
BAP providers are contractually obligated to add vaccine availability to vaccines.gov NEW
- Guidance for Reporting to Vaccines.gov (CDC)
COVID-19 Vaccine Commercialization FAQs Updated 9/13
Commercialization at a Glance: Provider Transition Guide Updated 9/15
CDC Updated Standing Order Templates for Moderna and Pfizer (CDC) NEW

Program Overview

On April 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the HHS Bridge Access Program (BAP) for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments. The BAP is a temporary measure connected to the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment. It was created to prevent loss of access to free COVID-19 vaccines and treatment for uninsured and underinsured aged 19 years and older. The program will begin September 2023 and will end on December 31, 2024. More detailed information can be found at the CDC’s Bridge Access Program Page, and in the CDPH BAP Requirements at a Glance.

The State program will utilize existing public health infrastructure, HRSA-supported health centers, and participating pharmacies via two major components:

Provide support for the existing public section vaccine safety net, implemented and maintained by state immunization programs and HRSA-supported health centers.
Create a funded partnership with pharmacy chains that will enable them to continue offering free COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments. This is a separate component under federal contract with key pharmacy chains. Participating chains will be able to provide COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured adult populations as well. All information on this landing page addresses the public health component.

Program Resources

Provider Participation Agreement
Requirements at a Glance (includes guidance and job aids)
COVID-19 Commercialization FAQs on BAP (updated September 15)
Talking Points for BAP COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatment (NCIRD)
Infographic – Where Can Someone Get Vaccine? (CDC)
California BAP Timeline
NEW FAQs about the Bridge Access Program (CDC)

Program Enrollment

Local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)/Rural Health Centers, tribal clinics, Indian Health Services sites, and additional providers deemed eligible by LHDs are able to enroll in the Bridge Access Program. Eligible providers who are NOT already enrolled in myCAvax should reach out to CDPH at ProviderCallCenter@cdph.ca.gov to first enroll in myCAvax, and then BAP. CDPH is actively working with LHDs to determine eligible sites and will contact eligible sites directly with enrollment instructions. Multi-County Entities (MCEs) and Correctional Facilities do not qualify.

Once enrollment procedures are finalized and locations are chosen, the CDC will provide each state with a list of approved BAP providers and post a list of enrolled providers on their website.

Enrollment Resources

Enrolling in the Bridge Access Program
Enrollment Kit (new organizations)
Enrolling New Provider Organizations
Enrolling New Provider Locations
Enrolling in CAIR (required)
My Turn Vaccine Administration System (optional)

Vaccine Access, Products & Timing Guides

COVID-19 vaccines are now considered routine vaccines. Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer-BioNTech adult vaccine products will be available through this program. Products and formulations are to be determined pending FDA approval this fall. Providers will be notified when these resources are updated after new vaccine products are authorized and bivalent products are deauthorized.

COVID-19 Vaccine Access & Ordering (private and public vaccine)
Private Purchase & Manufacturer Info
COVID Vaccine Product Guide
COVID Timing Guide | Spanish
Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2023 (FDA)

Required Training

All staff completing the BAP Provider Participation Agreement will complete the required program training in myCAvax before enrollment. Any staff who store, handle, or administer COVID-19 vaccines must also complete COVID-19 Vaccine Product Training prior to receiving vaccine shipments. Note: Training for new fall 2023 vaccine products coming soon.

Provider Operations

Additional Resources

BAP Eligibility Screening, Vaccine Administration, and Vaccine Management
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources: For Providers | For Patients

Contact VFC