Keeping Physicians in Mind and Informed.
COVID-19 Update, 8/26/21
Status Update as of 8/25/21 from ADH Website: 


  • Total cumulative cases in Arkansas - 441,246
  • New confirmed cases since 8/24/21 - 2,781
  • Active cases - 23,587
  • Deaths - 6,774
  • Patients in the hospital - 1,368
  • Patients on ventilators - 354
  • Total Individuals Fully Immunizied - 1,178,475
  • Total Individuals Partially Immunized - 348,589
ADH Statement Regarding "Off-Label Use" of COVID-19 Vaccines

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has issued an alert on off-label use of the vaccines. If you are a COVID-19 vaccine provider, it is important that you read the update linked below.

Potential Toxicity of Human Use of Animal Formulations of Ivermectin

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is concerned about reports of individuals using veterinary formulations of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and would like Arkansans to know the following important points:

  • The Arkansas Poison Control Center has received an increasing number of calls regarding individuals who took ivermectin intended for animal or livestock use (such as that purchased at livestock supply centers).

  • Drugs intended for veterinary use are made with higher doses of the medication for use in large animals and can be highly toxic in humans.

  • Some of the symptoms associated with ivermectin toxicity include rash, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, neurologic disorders, and potentially severe hepatitis requiring hospitalization.

  • There are approved uses for ivermectin in both humans and animals. ADH advises people to never take any medications intended to treat animals and to only take ivermectin as prescribed by their physician.

  • Arkansans caring for someone with symptoms of illness related to ingestion of ivermectin should call the Arkansas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Medical providers can call the same number to report a case and ask for advice. 
Third Dose COVID-19 Vaccination Shot Guidance for Medicaid

Due to guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.

See official notice from AFMC for new and existing procedure codes for Medicaid. *NOTE: The temporary rate increase for vaccination administration does not apply to the third dose.

Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots

On August 18, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the following statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people.

CMS Expands Medicare Payments for At-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations

CMS is expanding opportunities for people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in their home. To ensure Medicare beneficiaries who have difficulty leaving their homes or are otherwise hard-to-reach can receive the vaccination, health care providers can now receive additional payments for administering vaccines to multiple residents in one home setting or communal setting of a home.  

This announcement aims to further boost the administration of COVID-19 vaccination – including second and third doses – in smaller group homes, assisted living facilities, and other group living situations by allowing vaccine providers to receive the increased payment up to 5 times when fewer than 10 Medicare beneficiaries get the vaccine on the same day in the same home or communal setting. This policy will help ensure that at-risk patients in smaller settings have the same opportunities as others to receive the vaccination.
On-Demand Webinars Available

There are three on-demand webinars that are available for you and your staff to watch. They are:


We will be having more on-demand content available in the future. Please take a minute and fill out our brief survey to give us feedback on content and delivery methods.
Got Questions? Let Us Help.

The Arkansas Medical Society is here to serve our physician members and their medical teams. On our website, we have a place that you can send us questions or share what you're experiencing. Visit ARKMED.org/covid19 and click on the Got Questions box. We will respond to your question as soon as possible. Thank you for your hard work and together we will make it through this crisis.
For more AMS COVID-19 Resources, visit ARKMED.org/covid19.
Arkansas Medical Society ARKMED.org