Vaccine Demand Continues to Outstrip Supply in Ohio

Ohio generally receives about 140,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine weekly, 70,000 each of Pfizer and Moderna. Gov. Mike DeWine said on Tuesday he doesn’t expect significant expansion until March, when the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will become available. In a letter to the Biden administration, DeWine asked to increase the state’s COVID-19 vaccine supply as soon as possible, noting it is the most urgent issue Ohio is facing. The letter outlined eight other areas the state needs help with:

• Mass vaccine and mobile distribution sites. State officials have already identified 100 locations.
• National strategy for vaccinating seasonal or migrant workers that travel across state lines.
• A national TV, radio and social media campaign on the merits of vaccine.
• An extension of Title 32, which would provide 100% federal funding for Ohio National Guard COVID-19 missions. DeWine asked Biden to consider extending it through the end of the state’s fiscal year, June 30.
• Greater flexibility with future state relief funds.
• A temporary extension of increased Medicaid support.
• Better support of public health systems.
• Bring broadband internet to communities in need.

Vaccine distribution for Phase 1B began this week for those ages 80 and older. Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Executive Dean Ken Johnson, DO, participated in the Governor’s briefing on Tuesday. OU is partnering with the Athens City-County Health Department for the new HCOM Heritage Hall to serve as a vaccination site. A 104-year-old Athens County man was among the first in Phase 1B to receive his shot there.

Beginning next week, vaccinations are anticipated to start for those ages 75 and up. Vaccinations will also be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders, and who have a developmental or intellectual disability. A representative from the local county developmental disabilities board will reach out to help coordinate receipt of the vaccination for Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders, as well as a developmental or intellectual disability.

Hospitals that were vaccinating their frontline health care workers as part of Phase 1A were instructed to complete these vaccinations by January 17. Local health departments are still providing vaccines for Phase 1A, which includes health care workers and personnel who are routinely involved with the care of COVID-19 patients.

According to the vaccine dashboard a total of 535,086 shots have been given as of this afternoon.

Ohio Buys 2M At-Home Tests

Gov. Mike DeWine announced yesterday that the state is purchasing 2 million at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests using telehealth services where the results are delivered in minutes without the need to send the test to a lab for processing. Developed by Abbott, BinaxNOW is an easy-to-use antigen test that detects the virus when people are most infectious.

To facilitate the delivery of the BinaxNOW test to the home and the guided collection and testing process, Abbott has partnered with digital health solutions provider eMed, who will deliver people their results through Abbott’s complementary NAVICA app in a matter of minutes. eMed will report the rapid test results in the electronic lab reporting system. 

The tests will go to local health departments which could use them to detect hot spots or potential outbreaks. 

All 88 counties continue to have a level of spread that is at least three times more than what the CDC considers high incidence. On the latest coronavirus map, Hamilton County remains the sole Level 4/Purple designation for a second consecutive week.

DeWine provided other statistics:

• Out of any 200 Ohioans, at least 1 has tested positive for COVID during the past 2 weeks.
• More than 1 of 4 patients who are COVID positive are being treated in ICU

Ohio is no longer included on its own travel advisory list for areas with high COVID-19 positivity rates. Ohio and five other states were removed from the list, which shows areas with positivity rates of 15-percent or higher that travelers should self-quarantine after visiting. There are now 14 states on the list: Mississippi, Georgia, Idaho, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. In addition, Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kentucky, Maine, and Connecticut are considered potential risk areas due to incomplete data.

Nominations are Open for OOA Awards

The OOA is accepting nominations for the 2021 awards. Consider nominating yourself or a colleague.

The Distinguished Service Award is the OOA’s highest honor. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in personal, scientific, and professional affairs, especially in service to the osteopathic profession in Ohio. The nominee must be a long-standing member of their local academy, the OOA and the AOA and not currently serving as an elected officer/trustee of the OOA.

The Meritorious Service Award is given to an individual who is not an osteopathic physician in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in scientific, philanthropic, or other fields of public service.

The M. Bridget Wagner, DO, Humanitarian Award recognizes an osteopathic physician or individual associated with the osteopathic profession for acts of philanthropy and service to mankind.

The Trustees Award is presented from time to time for dedicated service to the OOA. The award requires unanimous action by the OOA Board of Trustees.

Send your letter of nomination to ctatman@OhioDO.org or use this form. A copy of the nominee’s CV  is encouraged but not required.

OOA House of Delegates Set for April 22

The OOA House of Delegates will be held virtually on Thursday, April 22. The House, the policy-making body for the osteopathic profession in Ohio, is led by Speaker David A. Bitonte, DO, and Vice Speaker Michael E. Dietz, DO.

Resolutions may be submitted directly to the OOA office or through your local district academy. If you want the OOA Board of Trustees to take a position on your resolution, it must be submitted by February 10. Otherwise, the final deadline is March 15.

Email your resolution to ctatman@OhioDO.org.

Upcoming CMS Events

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting events this month of interest to physicians and their staff.

COVID-19 listening sessions with the CMS Office of Minority Health will be held January 26 and 28 to discuss the continuing impact of COVID-19 on populations who face health disparities, including racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, people with limited English proficiency, and rural populations.

A one-hour Open Door Forum for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals will be held January 27, 2:00 pm. The agenda includes documentation requirements reminder for physicians ordering repetitive, scheduled non-emergent ambulance services; updates to the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and information on COVID-19 vaccines.

More information and registration details for both events is here.