More Vaccine Coming in February, March

Ohio is among the top five states for delivering COVID-19 vaccine doses to long-term care facility residents. Gov. Mike DeWine said as a result of this aggressive effort to vaccinate those in long-term care, Ohio is beginning to see a drop in cases.

Pfizer has notified Ohio that they believe they will increase their shipment of vaccine by 40 percent around mid-to-late February. Shipments could additionally increase even more by the end of March. Pfizer is currently shipping approximately 73,000 doses to Ohio per week. Moderna doses have increased from 73,200 two weeks ago to 105,600 doses that are expected next week. 

Ohio was one of the first states to draw unused doses from the long-term care program, and those 77,000 extra doses are being delivered this week to select CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.

The state’s vaccination program continued this week for Ohioans 70 and older, for residents with certain medical disorders and for school personnel. Next week, the Phase 1B group will expand to include Ohioans 65 and older. DeWine said the state will then hold eligibility at 65+ because of the limited supply. There are 2.2 million people in Phase 1B.

Ohio reached a milestone this week. More Ohioans have received at least one dose of a vaccine than the total number of people in the state with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. On Wednesday afternoon the Ohio Department of Health reported that 908,096 people have received at least one vaccine dose, which exceeded the 906,727 cumulative cases reported since the start of the pandemic.

As of this morning, 935,383 shots have been administered, representing 8 percent of the Ohio population.

News for Vaccine Providers

In the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Fact Sheet, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) outlines many forms of ID that could be used to verify someone’s identity. Specifically, it is important to note that an ID should be accepted regardless of expiration date or place of origin.

As part of Phase 1B, Ohioans are included who have severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable for severe illness or death if they contract COVID-19. These eligible individuals will be vaccinated in two groups staggered a few weeks apart. Individuals are eligible for vaccination now if they have a developmental or intellectual disability AND one of the qualifying conditions listed here.

Local boards of developmental disabilities are reaching out to individuals who already receive services from them and qualify for vaccination now to make vaccination arrangements for them. These boards are working with children’s hospitals or local health departments who are conducting the vaccinations. Only eligible individuals who work through their local board of developmental disabilities can be vaccinated at this time. Please do not refer patients to a children’s hospital, local health department, or pharmacy for vaccination. 

Beginning the week of February 15, people who have any of the qualifying medical conditions listed in the above link will be eligible for vaccination even if they do not have a developmental or intellectual disability. Information about how these individuals can choose to get vaccinated will be announced soon.

In other news, ODH has received reports that some providers are receiving suspicious calls from people posing as local health commissioners or ODH personnel and asking prying questions about vaccine allocation and shipment details. Please exercise extreme caution with these contacts and the information you are sharing about vaccine allocations.

Heat Map Remains Red Alert Level

There’s no change in the Public Health Advisory Map this week. In total, 84 out of 88 counties in the remain at Red Alert Level 3. Four counties, Hocking, Vinton, Gallia, and Monroe, are at Orange Alert Level 2.

All 88 counties continue to exceed the Centers for Disease Control standards for high incidence. Brown County has the highest rate—8 times higher than what the CDC says is a high-incidence level. Ohio’s 21-day case average dipped below 5,000 this week, but deaths, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions were higher than the 21-day average.

Senate Bill Calls for Joining Medical Licensure Compact

Joining the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact through newly introduced legislation, SB 6, would create an expedited path for physicians to practice in multiple states, according to Sen. Kristina Roegner, sponsor of the bill.

“Through the compact, the physician selects the states where he or she wishes to be licensed and upon receipt of a letter of qualification, the member states then issue a license for the physician,” Roegner explained. “That new license will come from that specific member state. The compact collects and remits fees to the boards of those individual member states.”

The compact works by sending certain information to other compact states, and allowing them to judge whether the applicant is qualified.

Senate Health Committee Chair Steve Huffman said joining the Compact would improve telehealth by allowing services across state lines.

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!

#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.

Nominate Yourself or a Colleague!

Across the state, osteopathic physicians are doing good work in their communities, for their patients, and for their profession. Help us recognize them! Nominate 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.

Renew Your Membership

Your OOA membership renewal will be coming to your mailbox in the next few days. You can reply to that mailed notice or renew online.

To those who’ve already re-joined for the 2021-2022 membership cycle, we thank you!