July 14, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19.

In an effort to provide accurate and helpful information to POMA members, we have gathered some of the resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time. We hope this helps you in staying on top of the latest developments in the spread of the disease and in helping your patients.

Stay safe and healthy!

New Headlines

Pennsylvania's COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Pennsylvania is currently administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government.

According to the PA Department of Health, as of July 14th, 11,357,206 total doses have been administered. There are 5,574,566 fully vaccinated people with a seven-day moving average of more than 11,200 people per day receiving vaccinations.

Become a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider

POMA is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to spread the word that YOU can become a COVID-19 vaccine provider!

Last month, Pennsylvania's Acting Physician General Denise Johnson, MD spoke about the DOH's current vaccine objective, pivoting from larger/mass vaccination sites to community physician practices.  Enroll as a provider and administer the vaccine in your office - click here to access the enrollment form.

Read the full message from Dr. Johnson regarding this important initiative and how you can keep your community healthy.

CMS Publishes Snapshot of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Medicare Population

Last week, CMS issued a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on the Medicare population from January 1, 2020 - April 24, 2021.  The updated data shows over 4.3 million COVID-19 cases and over 1.2 million COVID-19 hospitalizations.

CMS also published an updated FAQ about repayment of COVID-19 accelerated and advance payments.

Updated Fact and Info Sheets from the CDC and FDA

In late June, the FDA announced revisions to the patient and provider fact sheets for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines regarding the suggested increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination.

The CDC also recently updated their information regarding key things to know about COVID-19 vaccines. The update highlights that the COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading the virus.

POMA Members Can Receive PPE Discounts

Through POMA's partnership with ActionPPE.org, we are able to help our members acquire proper PPE supplies.  Launched in South Carolina, ActionPPE has supplied over 2.6 million units of PPE to members of over 20 state medical organizations through a reputable and certified supplier.  By pooling resources, POMA members receive a 5% discount on PPE orders when they use the discount code POMA-SAVE5. Product details and certificates for masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, etc. are provided on the site with most items in-stock and shipping directly to your office.

PA Health Alert Network (PA HAN) - Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates

• 578 - 6/23/21 - ADV - Circulation of Non-Influenza and Non-COVID Respiratory Viruses Including the Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (RSV)
• 575 - 6/3/21 - ADV - COVID-19 Treatment Options
• 574 - 6/1/21 - ADV - Myocarditis and Pericarditis after Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adolescents and Young Adults
• 572 - 5/26/21 - UPD - Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) Case Definition
• 570 - 05/10/21 - UPD - Response to an Outbreak and Residents with Exposure to COVID-19 for Long-term Care Facilities
• 569 - 04/30/21 - UPD - Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19
• 568 - 04/30/21 - ADV - Core Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Long-term Care Facilities
• 566 - 04/28/21 - UPD - Updated Public Health Recommendations for People Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19
• 565 – 04/27/21 - ADV - COVID-19 Treatment Options
• 563 – 04/09/21 - UPD - Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• 561 - 3/18/21 - ADV - Identification of Risk for Novel and High Concern Healthcare-associated Organisms as Part of a Comprehensive Travel History
• 557 - 3/9/21 - ADV - Call for Cases: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A)
     -Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with COVID-19 Case Report Form
• 556 - 02/28/21 - ADV - Change in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation and Storage Conditions
• 554 - 02/23/21 - UPD - Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions for Patients with COVID-19
• 553 - 02/22/21 - UPD - Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19
• 552 – 02/17/21 – UPD – UPDATE: COVID Vaccine Second Dose Administration and Timing  
• 550 - 02/08/21 - ADV - SARS-CoV-2 Variants - Situation Updates and Public Health Response
• 548 – 01/22/21 – UPD – UPDATE: Point of Care Antigen Test Use and Interpretation
• 547 – 01/22/21 – UPD – UPDATE: Point-of-Care Antigen Testing for Long-term Care Facilities

COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Map

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched a provider map along with an eligibility survey on its website to help those eligible, including health care workers not affiliated with a hospital, find a location to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Users can search by location, type in an address or zip code and filter by facility type.

Updated Pennsylvania Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Cases, Graphics, Resources

• Press releases regarding COVID-19 from Governor Tom Wolf and the Department of Health.
• COVID-19 Information for Health Care Professionals
• COVID-19 testing guidance for providers and patients. 
• PA-DOH alert for updated return to work guidance for healthcare providers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
• Providers should be working with their Regional Health Care Coalition to submit requests for PPE.
• Operational guidance for opioid treating providers and telehealth guidance for outpatient substance use disorder providers by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in response to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics and posters as well as fact sheets and resources are available.
• Resources to help individuals, families and businesses flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19 are available in the PA COVID-19 Guide.

Briefings and Updates from Pa. Governor Wolf and the Department of Health

• Latest PA-DOH coronavirus statistics
• https://pacast.com/live/doh
• https://www.governor.pa.gov/live/
• https://www.facebook.com/pennsylvaniadepartmentofhealth/

Resources from the CDC

The CDC has provided guidance and resources for healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, laboratories, as well as information for schools and childcare, businesses and employers, community and faith-based organizations, and the general public. Visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage for more information.

POMA will continue monitoring COVID-19 and provide updates and recommendations from PA-DOH, the CDC, the WHO and local health agencies. POMA's COVID-19 webpage and social media channels will be updated as information is shared from these organizations.

If you have any comments or questions for POMA, please email us at [email protected]. 

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org