August 24, 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

CDC Streamlines COVID-19 Guidance

On August 11, the CDC streamlined its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or tested positive for COVID-19.  The CDC says "This updated guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives."

In the coming weeks, the CDC is working to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission and travel, to the updated guidance.

Read the press release ►

POMA to Release First CME-Eligible Podcast Episode on Friday, August 26

Be sure to check out the latest episode of the POMA DOes... podcast series this Friday 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.

1.0 AOA Category 1-B CME credit will be 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.

PA Department of Health Continues to Offer Free COVID-19 Testing

The Department of Health is offering free COVID-19 testing to the public at seven locations across the state.  Testing sites are open to anyone who feels they need a test.  Registration will be completed on-site.  Below are the current testing locations:

• Berks County - Tuesday-Saturday - Direct Link Technologies in Reading, PA
• Blair County - Monday-Friday - Blair County CBTs in Altoona, PA
• Centre County - Tuesday-Saturday - 219 S. Water Street in Bellefonte, PA
• Clarion County - Monday-Friday - Clarion University in Clarion, PA
• Clinton County - Tuesday-Saturday - Parsons Union Building in Lock Haven, PA
• Erie County - Monday-Friday - Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA
• Washington County - Monday-Friday - California University in California, PA

In addition, Pennsylvanians can find testing sites in their area on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Viral Testing Sites locator map.

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 August 24th, 22,927,087 total doses have been administered, including 4,113,674 first booster doses since August 13, 2021; 797,562 second booster doses since March 29, 2022; 702,516 pediatric doses (aged 5-11) since November 2, 2021; and 67,021 pediatric doses (aged 0-4) since June 18, 2022.

There are 8,525,377 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

• 656 - 08/18/2022 - UPD - Update: COVID-19 Guidance Update for the General Population
• 644 - 05/26/2022 - ADV - Advisory: COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment
• 636 - 04/15/22 - UPD - Update: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and in Adults (MIS-A)
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with COVID-19 Case Report Form
• 635 - 4/12/2022 - UPD - Update: Guidance on Reporting Point of Care SARS-CoV-2 Test Results
• 634 - 4/7/2022 - UPD - Update: Therapeutics to Prevent and Treat COVID-19
• 633 - 4/4/2022 - UPD - Update: Report Requirements
• 632 - 4/4/2022 - UPD - Update: Booster Dose Update
• 628 - 2/18/2022 - UPD - Update to Recommendations Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination
• 627 - 2/15/2022 - UPD - Response to an Outbreak and Residents with Exposure to COVID-19 for Long-term Care Facilities
• 626 - 02/15/2022 - UPD - Core Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Long-term Care Facilities
• 624 – 02/08/22 – UPD – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• 622 - 1/25/22 - UPD - Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19
• 621 – 1/25/22 - UPD - Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19
• 620 - 1/15/22 - ADV - Therapeutics to Prevent and Treat COVID-19
  
• 613 - 12/23/21 - UPD - COVID-19 Treatment Options
• 611 - 12/8/21 - UPD - UPDATE: Seasonal Influenza Updates and Reminders
• 608 - 11/5/21 - ADV - Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for 5 to <12 Years Old Children
• 606 - 10/25/21 - ADV - Recommendations Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose
• 605 - 10/15/21 - UPD - Point of Care Antigen Test Use and Interpretation
• 602 - 10/4/21 - ADV - Recommendations Regarding Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose
• 601 - 10/1/21 - UPD - Quarantine Recommendations After SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test
• 600 - 9/30/21 - ADV - COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19
• 593 - 9/7/21 - ADV - Update to Recommendations Regarding Immune-based Testing for Tuberculosis and Co-administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine
• 592 - 8/6/21 - ADV - Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19
• 588 - 8/19/21 - UPD - COVID-19 Post Exposure Prophylaxis Update
• 587 - 8/17/21 - ADV - COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
• 586 - 8/13/21 - ADV - COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy
• 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
• 561 - 3/18/21 - ADV - Identification of Risk for Novel and High Concern Healthcare-associated Organisms as Part of a Comprehensive Travel History
• 556 - 2/28/21 - ADV - Change in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Transportation and Storage Conditions
• 552 - 2/17/21 - UPD - UPDATE: COVID Vaccine Second Dose Administration & Timing
• 550 - 2/08/21 - ADV - SARS-CoV-2 Variants - Situation Updates and Public Health Response
• 547 - 1/22/21 - UPD - UPDATE: Point-of-Care Antigen Testing for Long-term Care Facilities

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

• 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.
• Patient and provider fact sheets for the Spikevax (Moderna) and Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccines.
• Resources to help individuals, families and businesses 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