We have another tool in our belt in our fight against COVID-19: Children age 5 years and older can now get a COVID-19 vaccine and there are more sites every day offering the pediatric orange cap vaccine.

On, Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. In late October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine down to age 5 years.

While studies show that parents may be more hesitant to seek vaccination for their school-aged children than for themselves, we can help reassure them of the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. Especially leading into the holiday season and as cold weather drives playdates and recess inside, join me in encouraging parents and their children to get vaccinated.

I am proud of the Colorado Medical Society for speaking up against misinformation, urging the Colorado Medical Board in a letter sent last week to take strong action against licensees that intentionally spread misinformation that harms the public.

In the ER, I am personally dealing with this every single shift. It's exhausting. People demanding certain "treatments," others refusing to be swabbed at all, some staff promoting antivax information, protests, walkouts, patients/family becoming belligerent when staff asks about vaccination status or enforces visitation constraints; assaults on staff have even increased. CMS's support of the struggle against misinformation is a welcomed helping hand. Right now especially, we need all the help we can get. We, as the leaders in medicine, should also expand our scope to reach a broader audience, including the nursing board. Instead of the celebrities, athletes, and snake oil salesmen, WE should be the frontline in sharing credible, factual information with our patients and finally turning the tide against this pandemic of misinformation and the death of expertise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We urge you to renew your membership today to continue to make what we do possible! We are proud of what we have accomplished this year and have big plans for the future. Click here to read more.

Dues bills through the Colorado Medical Society were sent in September, with second and third notices sent in November and December. PCMS will send dues bills in November with reminders in December.

Thank you for your support. We wouldn't be here without it! Contact me anytime if I can assist at cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.

Our next PCMS Board meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, 6 - 7 p.m. RSVP required. Contact cheryl.law@pueblocms.org. Google calendar invitation with Zoom details will be provided.

Only 50 booklets are available for purchase at $20 each; first come, first served. Order a booklet for your staff, patients or yourself. It’s a helpful guide, especially for office staff fielding phone calls! It's also the best we've ever published - thanks to all your updates - and it's getting better every year.

Click here to place your order online today!

NOTE: Please email staff@pueblocms.org with any changes, photos (color), or corrections any time of the year.

The PCMS Board of Directors approved a partnership with the Pueblo Country Club to offer members another PCMS benefit. Join and the initiation fee will be waived for PCMS members -- a savings of up to $500 that also benefits our community. Read more here.

A CDPHE monoclonal antibody bus will be located at Pueblo Mall, 3429 Dillon Dr, Pueblo CO 81008 daily through Saturday, Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Depending on local case rates and other factors, this period may be extended, but we are currently scheduling one week at a time.

If you would like to refer a patient to receive monoclonal antibody treatment, use the CDPHE Connector Tool and select “CDPHE Bus-Pueblo Mall-4421” as the location. The patient will be contacted to schedule a specific day and time.

Please feel free to reach out to stephanie.tortora@state.co.us with any scheduling questions or cdphe_covid_med_guidance@state.co.us with any eligibility or other clinical questions.

On Nov. 5, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment released a public health advisory stating that COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths has reached the level of severe transmission rates. PDPHE advises all residents and visitors that everyone is at risk of contracting the virus when participating in indoor activities with mixed households who are unvaccinated or have mixed or unknown vaccination status against COVID-19.

Now that the Pfizer pediatric dose vaccine is approved and available for ordering for kids age 5-11, primary care physicians (including pediatricians) can enroll to start ordering vaccine and get funding.

Due to the advocacy work of the Colorado Medical Society, until Dec. 1, 2021, primary care providers, including pediatricians, can receive grant funding ranging from up to $60,000 to $120,000 (depending on practice size) to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The application process takes 15 minutes or less and we are here to help.

Learn more:

Colorado.com published a fun list of things to do this holiday season in Colorado. Check out some of the sights from around the state for experiences to remember. View the list here.

Join us for the next Pueblo County Provider Roundtable, open to medical providers and staff members. Join by visiting https://bit.ly/3zRad7M / Meeting ID: 859 2632 7138. 1 CME credit is available to providers who attend this presentation. Full accreditation information available here. View the slides from the Nov. 10 meeting here.

The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce will hold its 111th Annual Meeting on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at the Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main Street. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Dinner and program will follow at 7 p.m. The highlight of the event is the “Citizen of the Year” award presentation. Nomination forms are now available at: pueblochamber.org/chamber-events.

The Colorado Medical Society administers grants from the Jane Nugent Cochems Charitable Trust to offer short-term financial help to physicians in need. The average grant to approved applicants ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, although larger amounts can be approved. The application process is simple and the review process is completely confidential. Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2021. To download an application form, go to cms.org/about/cochems-trust. For more information, contact the Colorado Medical Society at 720-859-1001 or accounting@cms.org.

MISSION: Facilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy! 

VISION: To create a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Secretary: Kathleen Brown, MD; Treasurer: Robert Tonsing, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD | Directors: CMS Representative Brittany Carver, DO; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Brad Roberts, MD; and Kevin Weber, MD | Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

Visit our website at www.pueblocms.org