Registration is Open!

The Ohio Osteopathic Virtual Symposium, the premier osteopathic conference in the state, is set for April 23-25—and registration is now open. The event will offer 21 hours of Category 1-A credits and the latest in the art and science of patient care.

Plan to join us from your home or office (or wherever you are). The virtual program promises to offer an excellent agenda, as usual, packed with informative and stimulating medical education sessions presented by experts in their field.

Remember, the State Medical Board of Ohio has only delayed enforcement of CME requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the requirements are not waived.

OOA members enjoy a steep discount, so register today!

Extracting the Extra Dose; K-12 Staff Up Next for Vaccine

The Ohio Department of Health has surveyed best practices around the state regarding the Pfizer vaccine and how to extract an additional sixth dose per vial. Some vaccine providers have been able to extract this sixth dose as much as 90 percent of the time based on technique and type of syringe. The key is using syringes with low or zero dead volume and, when clinically appropriate, using a one-inch vaccine needle.

ODH found that it is possible to reliably extract a sixth dose using a hybrid model of traditional syringes for four doses and the less-available low dead volume syringes for doses five and six. This approach conserves limited special syringe supply.

The CDC updated clinical guidance this week:

• Second dose maximum interval 6 weeks after first dose – Previous guidance had not identified a maximum interval between doses; the latest says the second dose should occur as closely to the due date as possible, but not exceed 6 weeks after the first dose, regardless of manufacturer.
• Timing for administering COVID-19 vaccines in respect to other vaccines – The vaccine series should routinely be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration with any other vaccine. However, mRNA COVID-19 and other vaccines may be administered within a shorter period in situations where the benefits of vaccination are deemed to outweigh the potential unknown risks of vaccine coadministration (e.g., tetanus toxoid-containing vaccination as part of wound management, measles or hepatitis A vaccination during an outbreak) or to avoid barriers or delays to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., in long-term care facility residents or health care personnel who received influenza or other vaccinations prior to/upon admission or onboarding). If mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are administered within 14 days of another vaccine, doses do not need to be repeated for either vaccine.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week that every public school district in the state, except for one, has agreed to resume in-person schooling by March 1 which was a requirement for staff to have early access to the vaccine. Like other priority groups in Ohio’s vaccination program, this will be a rolling process starting with Cincinnati Public Schools this week. Due to the scarcity of vaccine, the process will take weeks, but Ohio’s goal is to have all schools first doses administered by the end of February. 

Vaccinations are currently open to Ohioans age 75 and older. Those 70 and older become eligible Monday, and 65 and older on February 8.

Ohio is second in the nation for the number of people vaccinated in nursing homes. Since not all residents and staff are choosing to receive the vaccine, Ohio will redirect approximately 77,000 vaccines set aside for nursing homes to others in Phase 1A and 1B. Starting the week of February 8, the state will deliver vaccine directly to affordable senior housing locations.  

In state-run developmental centers, 89 percent of residents have accepted the vaccine; 73 percent of long-term patients in state-run psychiatric hospitals have accepted the vaccine; and a total of 92 percent of veterans in state-run veterans homes have accepted the vaccine. Of those with developmental disabilities not living in state-run facilities, 5,500 people have been vaccinated so far.

According to the vaccine dashboard, 716,017 vaccines have been administered statewide as of this morning.

Little Change in COVID Heat Map

This week’s Ohio Public Health Advisory System map shows little change. Hamilton County is no longer listed as a Level 4/Purple public emergency, but the rest of the state remains the same as last week. Eighty-four counties are now at Level 3/Red while Gallia, Hocking, Monroe, and Vinton counties are at Level 2/Orange. All 88 counties continue to exceed CDC standards for high incidence of the virus.

As of yesterday afternoon, 883,716 cases have been reported in Ohio since the pandemic began, leading to 11,006 deaths and 45,786 hospitalizations. In addition, nearly 9 million PCR and molecular coronavirus tests have been administered.

The number of hospitalizations has been under 3,500 for the past seven days, which under a new plan from the DeWine Administration allows the statewide curfew to start at 11 pm instead of 10 pm. If hospitalizations drop below 3,000 for seven consecutive days, the state will move the curfew to midnight for at least two weeks.

#ThisIsOurShot

Because physicians are among the most trusted voices when it comes to health information, you play an important role to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Leading by example is one way to help educate Ohioans about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Many physicians are posting this historic moment on social media with the hashtag #ThisIsOurShot, with the hope to inspire and reassure others that the vaccine is safe and necessary to eventually achieve herd immunity.

Be sure to tag us in your social media posts so we can share it or send us your vaccination photo directly to cmarkino@OhioDO.org.

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.

Last Call!

We are compiling a list of members who serve on State of Ohio boards or committees. Often, the OOA is contacted to submit nominations for these types of appointments, but not always.

Please email the name of the entity and your term duration to ctatman@OhioDO.org.