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OPA COVID-19 Vaccines: April 20, 2021 Update
OPA COVID-19 Vaccine Update
COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues to be available to all eligible individuals over age 16. All individuals from previous phases continue to be appropriate candidates for the vaccine as well.
Vaccine Allocation
Pharmacies have reported lower vaccine demand compared to supplies allocated to each site. If your site is experiencing lower demand, email ODH at COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov requesting a temporary hold to vaccine supply. This hold can be removed every week based on patient vaccine needs.
Post-Vaccination Patient Information
After the vaccine is administered, patients should be made aware of the importance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination card given to them. Patients should be advised to keep the card in a secure place if the card needs to be shown as proof of vaccination. Additionally, patients should be shown how to access the V-Safe after vaccination health checker. This smartphone-based tool utilizes text messaging to check in on patients after the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered.
Vaccination Administration Fees
As a reminder to all vaccinators, all COVID-19 vaccines are free to U.S. residents. Providers cannot refuse to administer the vaccine based on the ability to pay or citizenship status. The ODH Provider Guidance on Vaccine Administration Fees document provides further information on specific reimbursement rates for patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured coverage.
Adverse Vaccine Events Reporting System (Reminder)
In light of recent decisions on the pause for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, ODH encourages vaccinators to use the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to report vaccine administration errors. This document highlights errors that have previously been reported regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinators are urged to report any clinically relevant adverse event following vaccination.
OPA is working diligently to facilitate communication between state decision-makers and member pharmacists. OPA has created multiple COVID-19 resources, including a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Webpage, COVID-19 Testing Hub, and COVID-19 Resources Webpage, on the OPA website www.ohiopharmacists.org under the Resources drop-down box. For further questions, please contact Myriam Shaw Ojeda, Fellow in Policy and Innovation, at mshawojeda@ohiopharmacists.org.
