Opportunities for Health Care Providers
to Promote COVID Vaccinations
Unvaccinated Population: “Definitely Not” vs. “Wait and See”
Health Care Providers are Trusted Sources for Reliable Information on COVID-19 Vaccines
Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: Profile Of The Unvaccinated, Published: Jun 11, 2021 https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-profile-of-the-unvaccinated/
Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: June 2021, Published: Jun 30, 2021
https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-june-2021/
Health Care Providers are Trusted Information Sources
“Wait and See” group
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78% have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in their doctor to provide reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
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46% would be more likely to get vaccination if it was offered to them at a place they normally go for health care.
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KFF reports: top concerns and factors that would increase likelihood of vaccination.
Insurance Payment for COVID Vaccination Consultations
Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner
Emergency Order:
“All [insurance] carriers shall cover consultations
related to receiving vaccination against COVID-19.”
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Effective July 1- August 20, 2021 (subject to extension)
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No more than two consultations for a patient
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Diagnosis & CPT codes (item D-6)
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/emergency-order-21-02_0.pdf
Provider-Patient Communication
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Ask and listen
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Respect concerns - avoid using shame, fear, or guilt
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More than one conversation
Conversation Tools:
Whatcom County Health Department Vaccine Confidence Discussion Guide. https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/56679/Vaccine-Confidence-Discussion-Guide?bidId=
Washington DOH - Health Care Provider Discussion Guide: Building Confidence in COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/820-130-ProviderMRNAVaccinesDiscussionGuide.pdf
CDC - How to Talk to Your Patients About COVID-19 Vaccination.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/engaging-patients.html.
Targeted “Inreach”
Use EMR to identify patients who are less likely to be vaccinated:
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East, Northeast and North Whatcom County zip codes
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Uninsured patients or those with Apple Health
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Latinx and Slavic community members
Contact patients to inquire about their vaccination status or intention:
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Phone calls
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Text
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Mail postcards
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Flag charts
Offer Assistance
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Make them a vaccination appointment at your clinic.
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Help them schedule at another site that is convenient.
🡪 Pharmacies – many locations and appointment days/times
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Give phone numbers for scheduling assistance – “real people,” language access
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WCHD Vaccine Access Scheduling line: 360-778-6075.
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DOH vaccine hotline: 833-VAXHELP (833-829-4357)
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Email or text the link to WA Vaccine Locator: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/
Promoting Vaccination
What are you trying out?
What are you learning?
Challenges, successes?