September 14, 2022
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
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Now Available
On September 1, 2022, the CDC updated its recommendations on booster doses, after the FDA authorized the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech booster formulas. The updated vaccines target the original COVID-19 viral strain and two Omicron variants (BA.4/BA.5).
The CDC recommends individuals are eligible for their updated vaccine shot at least two months after at least completing their primary vaccinations series, regardless of how many monovalent COVID-19 boosters they have received to date.
The CDC also recommends the new bivalent booster replaces the existing monovalent vaccine booster. Therefore, the monovalent vaccine is no longer authorized for use as booster doses in people age 12 and up.
CMS also issued 4 new CPT codes, effective August 31, 2022:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent Product
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent Product
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent-Administration-Booster Dose
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent-Administration-Booster Dose
Click here to read more ►
CMS Updates Vaccine Resources
CMS has updated its online COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Toolkit. It contains the most current list of billing codes, payment allowances and effective dates. Click here to visit the toolkit.
Be sure to check out the August 26th episode of the POMA DOes... podcast series as we discuss "Collaborating to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy In Our Communities." The episode features a roundtable discussion with a patient advocate, a pediatrician, an infectious disease specialist and a psychologist who talk about COVID-19 vaccine options, technologies and patient concerns. Tune in to pick up tips on how you can collaborate effectively to provide patient-centered care and address vaccine hesitancy.
AOA Category 1-B patient safety CME credit is available to POMA members who listen to the episode and attest. Visit the POMA DOes podcast webpage for more information.
This podcast episode was supported by the Facts on Vax coalition which works to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in our communities and is supported by a grant from Pfizer. This episode was developed entirely by POMA. None of the panelists or planners for this episode have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
POMA is an accredited provider of CME. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the AOA.
Pennsylvania's COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Pennsylvania is currently administering the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine, the Spikevax (Moderna) 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 September 14th, 23,063,242 total doses have been administered, including 4,134,481 first booster doses since August 13, 2021; 846,1751 second booster doses since March 29, 2022; 711,120 pediatric doses (aged 5-11) since November 2, 2021; and 97,023 pediatric doses (aged 0-4) since June 18, 2022.
There are 8,555,459 fully vaccinated people in Pennsylvania.
Facts on Vax Resources Available
Osteopathic physicians and their practice teams play a key role in preventing COVID-19 infections among patients and communities. Check out the Facts on Vax website for a variety of educational materials, tools and resources that will help you discuss the importance of COVID-19 prevention with your patients.
Facts on Vax is a partnership of osteopathic organizations committee to lowering the rates of COVID-19 through prevention - POMA is a member of the coalition. We are collaborating in partnership to prepare osteopathic physicians to discuss the importance of COVID-19 prevention, including vaccinations, with patients.
Find resources and learn more ►
PA Health Alert Network (PA HAN) - Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates
Previously Published but Relevant Headlines
PA DOH Video Resource About COVID Vaccine Safety
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Director of the Vaccine Education Center and Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Paul Offit have developed a video resource for Pennsylvanians to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccine safety. The video includes a review of the vaccine approval process through the FDA, including the Emergency Use Authorization. They also discuss information on the increasing scientific data on the safety of vaccines for children and pregnant women and the effectiveness of the vaccine against variants, with a highlighted focus on effectiveness against the delta variant.
Dr. Johnson said "With so much information and misinformation out there, access to reliable and trusted sources can help you make the best decision for you and your family... It's essential that we continue to inform and educate Pennsylvanians about the COVID-19 vaccines, because good information leads to good decisions."
Anyone can access and share this video resource on Facebook or PAcast.
Updated Pennsylvania Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Cases, Graphics, Resources
Briefings and Updates from Pa. Governor Wolf and the Department of Health
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].
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