Program News & Updates - Adult Safety Net Program


Update on PCV15 and PCV20

March 11, 2022

On Oct. 20, 2021, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to adopt two adult pneumococcal recommendations, PCV15 and PCV20, to help reduce the burden of disease from Streptococcus pneumoniae. These recommendations have been adopted by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will be published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR ).


Federally Recognized Indian Tribes - ASN Enrollment

February 26, 2022

As you continue to protect your growing communities, expand your services, and increase your patient care, we encourage you to enroll in the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program.


Updated Vaccine Management Plans

April 23, 2018

The Immunization Unit has developed new vaccine management plan templates for the routine and emergency storage and handling of vaccines. The templates allow you to outline what you will do with TVFC and/or ASN vaccine in the event of an emergency (loss of power, unit failure, or a natural disaster). The new templates include updated water bottle and data logger requirements for refrigerators and freezers that contain TVFC and/or ASN vaccine. This new document, (E11-14498), is available at /sites/default/files/immunize/tvfc/docs/E11-14498.pdf.


Shingrix and Zostavax Update on Ordering

April 18, 2018

Effective May 1, 2018, clinics enrolled in the ASN Program will be ableto place orders for Shingrix®, a Zoster vaccine available from GlaxoSmithKline(GSK). Also effective on May 1, 2018, Zostavax® (Zoster vaccine, Merck and Co.,Inc.) will no longer be available on the ASN formulary.

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Revision to the Patient Eligibility Screening Form and Reporting Services to Female Veterans

February 15, 2018

In accordance with Senate Bill 805 from the 85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must collect and report the number of uninsured female veterans who receive ASN vaccines. 


Recombivax® (Merck) Adult Hepatitis B Vaccine Supply Update 

June 5, 2017

Effective June 19, all vaccine orders placed in the Electronic Vaccine Inventory (EVI) system for Merck’s Recombivax® adult Hepatitis B vaccine will be substituted with the same presentation product of GSK’s Engerix-B® adult Hepatitis B vaccine. Please download the memo at this link for more information.


ASN Program Formulary Expansion

May 1, 2015

The Immunization Branch is pleased to announce the expansion of the Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program formulary. Effective Monday, May 4, 2015, the following vaccines will routinely be available for participating ASN providers to order and administer to eligible adults: Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) Vaccine (Menveo®, MenactraE), Zoster Vaccine (Zostavax®), Varicella Vaccine (Varivax®)

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ASN Program Addition of Prevnar® to Adult Safety Net Formulary

November 5, 2014

Effective Monday, November 10, 2014, the Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program will expand the existing formulary to include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevnar. Please use this opportunity to order PCV13 and incorporate its administration into the routine care of your adult population.

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ASN Program Formulary Expansion

April 3, 2014

Effective April 1, 2014, the ASN Program expanded the existing ASN formulary to add the following vaccines: Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPSV23) Vaccine, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix®), and Hepatitis A Vaccine.

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ASN Program Provider Update Memo

November 8, 2013

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Branch continues to offer certain vaccines to uninsured adults through the ASN Program. The following vaccines are currently available as part of the DSHS ASN formulary: Hepatitis B, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Tdap, Td.

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ASN Program Provider Recruitment Letter

December 23, 2013

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Branch would like to invite you to participate in the DSHS Adult Safety Net (ASN) Program. The DSHS ASN Program provides publicly purchased vaccine at no cost to medical providers enrolled in the program, making vaccines more accessible to the uninsured adult population.

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