Ultra-Cold Storage NOT Required for COVID-19 Vaccination Providers

With potential federal approval of one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks, it is a critical time for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to develop a strong network of vaccine providers across the state. If you want to administer the vaccine, enroll as soon as possible.

While the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine requires ultra-cold storage, it will be shipped to enrolled vaccination providers without this capability in a storage container with dry ice if/after the vaccine receives federal approval. Vaccination providers must then replenish the storage container with fresh dry ice according to manufacturer guidelines that will be provided. ODH has prepared a fact sheet which includes considerations for handling the shipping container, dry ice packaging and the ultra-cold vaccine itself. 

Assuming that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves the Pfizer/BioNTech application for emergency use authorization for their COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) must issue recommendations on how to use the vaccine, including who it should be offered to and in what order, before the vaccine can be administered. Both FDA approval and CDC ACIP recommendations are likely to occur in December.

Stanley Grogg, DO, who serves as the AOA liaison on ACIP, attended an emergency meeting on Monday. His highlights from the meeting are here. On a related note, the CDC recently issued 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about US COVID-19 Vaccination Plans.

The vaccine supply is expected to be limited initially, and Ohio will first vaccinate individuals who are most at risk, including high-risk health care workers, those who work in long-term care facilities/nursing homes, and first responders.  

To submit an application to become a COVID-19 vaccination provider, sign up online at the State of Ohio’s “OH|ID” and follow the steps outlined in this ODH instruction guide. Use the enrollment checklist to gather the necessary information. If you do not already have an OH|ID account, the first step will be to create one which must be reviewed and approved, usually within 24 hours.

For questions, contact the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment Team at covidvaccine@odh.ohio.gov.

Another Record, Hospitals Overwhelmed, Vaccine Update

On Monday, Ohio reported 11,885 new coronavirus cases—which shatters the previous record by nearly 3,000. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the number reflects two days of backlogged reports from at least two labs. Case numbers started lagging last week due to staffing issues at local health departments and an overwhelming number of cases. The numbers are still incomplete with about 6,000 reports pending review.

Hospitalizations are rapidly rising, which DeWine said could cause elective procedures to be postponed—as was the protocol at the outset of the pandemic. Several Central Ohio hospitals are already delaying some elective surgeries and other services. As of Tuesday, there were over 4,449  patients in Ohio hospitals with COVID-19 related symptoms. That figure includes 1,046 in intensive care units and 598 on ventilators.

At his briefing yesterday, DeWine announced Ohio is to receive a first shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine around December 15, with the Moderna vaccine to arrive a week later. He received news about the timeline during a call with the White House and other governors on Monday. Up to 30,000 doses are expected, with fresh supplies arriving every few days. Officials at the US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary said earlier this week that about 40 million doses of the vaccine would be available nationwide in December. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require two doses: Pfizer’s about three weeks after the first shot, and Moderna’s about a month afterward.

DeWine noted Ohio’s positivity rate continues to rise, with the most recent seven-day rate at 13.5%. Ohio officials track nationwide rates and warns against travel to states at 15% or higher.

Strengthen Your Profession on #GivingTuesday

Join the national day of generosity on #GivingTuesday and make your year-end donation to the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation (OOF). Celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely-recognized shopping events Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season.

With your help, we’ll raise funds to expand quality osteopathic CME offerings; develop physician leaders and advocates for the profession; and build the future by supporting students. These initiatives require considerable resources and we cannot do this work without you!

Your investment supports osteopathic distinctiveness for DOs throughout the state. Make your tax-deductible donation here.

Ohio CTR Course Available On-Demand

Ohio law provides that physicians with a full, unrestricted state license are eligible to apply for a certificate to recommend medical marijuana. To apply, physicians must complete a certified two-hour course that covers diagnosing qualifying medical conditions as defined in section 3796.01 of the Revised Code; and treating qualifying medical conditions with medical marijuana, including the characteristics of medical marijuana and possible drug interactions.

The OOA now has the certified two-hour course online and available on demand. Upon registering, you will receive an automated receipt and email with a link to the video program featuring Charles V. Barrett, DO. The course includes additional segments on the history and evolution of marijuana and hemp; 20th century evolution on related laws; cannabinoid receptors; homeostasis of activators and sensitizers; product types; and the patient experience.

OOA members receive a discounted registration fee of $175.

Details about obtaining a CTR under the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program are on the Medical Board website.

New Pathway to AOA Board Certification for ABMS-Certified DOs

DOs certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) prior to September 1, 2020, can now receive reciprocal certification from AOA Certifying Board Services without taking a high-stakes initial certification exam or paying initial certification fees.

To maintain AOA Board Certification, DOs will be required to meet their specialty/subspecialty board’s requirements for Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC).

The application fee is $299 for non-members and free for AOA members.

More information is here.

Medicaid Overhaul Advances

Bids were due last week for insurance companies interested in participating in the state Medicaid program. The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is overhauling the health insurance program in an effort to improve care and health outcomes, especially for those with special needs; focus on wellness; increase transparency and accountability; and emphasize personalized care experience.

Last year, ODM collected feedback from physicians, enrollees, and others to assess current services and ideas for improvement. The state agency heard from 1,100 individuals and organizations, including the OOA.

The timeline calls for contracts to be awarded January 25, 2021, with a new system in place in 2022. Three million people are covered under Ohio Medicaid and about 90% are enrolled in managed care. Last year, the state paid $17 billion to Medicaid HMOs.

Seeking Pediatric Surgeon for Committee

The Trauma Committee of the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS)  is seeking nominations for a board-certified surgeon who actively practices pediatric trauma surgery.

The Trauma Committee was created to advise and assist the EMFTS in all matters regarding trauma care and the Ohio Trauma System. Its membership is spelled out in Revised Code. The Committee generally meets every other month.

Candidates should submit a CV to OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.