CDC Expands Booster Eligibility/Recommendations for Ages 12-17 |
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Delaware Vaccine Providers Can Begin Administering Booster Doses |
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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Delaware’s vaccine providers can now begin administering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 to 15 who completed their initial Pfizer vaccine series at least five months ago. Today’s announcement comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave its approval Monday to expand Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow for the Pfizer booster to be administered to this age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met Wednesday and agreed with the FDA findings. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky endorsed the advisory committee’s recommendations later that evening.
Shortened Booster Interval for Those Who Received Pfizer Vaccine Primary Series
Earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also shortened the booster interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This means that people can now receive an mRNA booster shot 5 months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. The booster interval recommendation for people who received the J&J vaccine (2 months) or the Moderna vaccine (6 months), has not changed. Individuals younger than 18 are only able to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and are not able to mix and match vaccine brands for their booster as those individuals 18 and older can do.
Moderately/Severely Immunocompromised 5-11 Year-Olds Can Receive Additional Dose
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC also moved to allow for moderately or severely immunocompromised 5–11-year-olds to receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children aged 5-11. Children in this age group who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise, may not respond adequately to the two-dose primary vaccination series, and benefit from a third dose. The FDA previously authorized a third primary series dose for use as part of the primary immunization series in individuals 12 years and older.
DPH encourages providers to use their clinical judgment and to consider additional factors for their patients when determining if the person meets the qualifications for immunocompromised status and is eligible for an additional/third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Using Therapeutics to Prevent/Treat COVID-19 |
DPH Issues Health Advisory to Familiarize Health Care Providers |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that eligible individuals should get all vaccines and booster shots as the best preventive measure available against severe disease, hospitalizations, and death due to COVID-19. Therapeutics are also available for preventing and treating COVID-19 in specific at-risk populations. These therapeutics differ in efficacy, route of administration, risk profile, and whether they are authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults only or adults and certain pediatric populations. Some therapeutics are in short supply, but availability is expected to increase in the coming months. The Delaware Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory serves to familiarize health care providers with available therapeutics, understand how and when to prescribe and prioritize them, and recognize contraindications.
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NCC to Distribute Rapid Test Kits to County Residents |
Event to Take Place on Saturday, January 8th |
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer has announced a plan to distribute 6,000 antigen COVID-19 self-test kits to New Castle County residents. Kits will be distributed on Saturday, January 8th beginning at 10 a.m. at the New Castle County Government Center, located at 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE. One box (two tests) of iHealth’s rapid antigen test will be given per car, along with a sheet of instructions. Members of the distribution team will be at the locations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., or while supplies last. New Castle County will work to organize future distribution events as test kits become available. |
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Delaware Transitions Rabies Reporting Process As of January 1 |
From Faxing to a Survey Completion on DPH Rabies Website |
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will be collecting data on potential human exposures to rabies in a REDcap survey effective Jan. 1, 2022. This will eliminate the need to complete and fax the exposure report to DPH. REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. To report a potential exposure to rabies, please visit the webpage link below and click on the link titled “Report a Potential Rabies Exposure.” Potential human exposures to rabies are defined as situations where the saliva or brain/nervous system tissue of a potentially infectious animal is introduced into a bite wound, open cuts in skin (scratches from nail OR tooth), or onto mucous membranes such as the mouth or eyes. All potential exposures, regardless of vaccination status, should be reported to DPH in a timely manner.
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No Surprises Act In Effect As Of January 1 |
Bans Most Unexpected Medical Charges From Out-of-Network Providers |
The No Surprises Act, which bans most unexpected medical charges from out-of-network providers, went into effect as of January 1 and will apply to about 10 million surprise bills a year, according to federal estimates. The law protects patients when they receive emergency care or scheduled treatment from doctors and hospitals that are not in the patients' insurance networks and that they did not choose. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released 11 documents to help providers comply with the No Surprises Act's requirement that providers give patients a "good faith estimate" of expected charges. Providers and facilities will need to be able to inform patients, both orally and in writing, of a cost estimate if they are not enrolled in a plan or are covered by a federal health care program, or who are not seeking to file a claim with their insurance for care. CDC Fact Sheet on Patients' Rights.
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Help Your Self-Pay Patients Obtain Health Insurance |
Improve Your Patients' Health and Your Bottom Line |
Many physician practices generously offer payment plans to uninsured patients, but this does not always result in receiving full payment. Quality Insights has an opportunity for you to help your uninsured patients obtain health insurance through the government Marketplace which will allow them to seek additional services, improve their health, and increase your chance of receiving full payment. Open enrollment for the Marketplace ends January 15th, so you must act NOW! Simply provide Quality Insights (via HIPAA compliant fax) a list of your uninsured patients and their phone numbers and/or addresses. Quality Insights’ federally certified staff will reach out to your patients and help them enroll in an affordable plan that meets their individual needs. Many plans are as low as $10/month! If interested, run a report from your practice management or billing system to identify uninsured patients and their contact information, then fax to Quality Insights at 304-347-8663 Attn: Kathy Wild.
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DHSS Marks Milestone of 100,000 Referrals |
For Substance Use, Mental Health Services |
The Department of Health and Social Services’ (DHSS) Division of Substance Use and Mental Health (DSAMH) has surpassed a milestone of 100,000 referrals through its Delaware Treatment and Referral Network (DTRN), a system for Delawareans seeking substance use and mental health services. Delaware is the first state to make more than 100,000 referrals using this system, built on the OpenBeds® platform, a bed registry platform owned by Bamboo Health (formerly Appriss Health + PatientPing). The DTRN system identifies and tracks behavioral health and social determinants of health resources throughout the state, giving providers immediate visibility into resource availability across a shared network. This makes it easier to get people the help they need when they need it.
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States Can Integrate Behavioral Health Services into Medicaid |
Support for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services |
States can integrate behavioral health services into their Medicaid programs under a new option meant to help people experiencing mental health or substance use crises, the Biden Administration announced. The option will allow states to support mobile crisis intervention services, which connect users to a behavioral health specialist on call. |
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DSB Now Accepting Applications for Site Readiness Fund |
Established Through Senate Bill 127 |
The Delaware Division of Small Business is now accepting applications for the Site Readiness Fund from qualified businesses or local governments. Established through Senate Bill 127, the fund promotes economic growth and stability by investing in the development or improvement of commercial and industrial sites to attract job-creating businesses. The Site Readiness Fund provides grants, loans, or other economic assistance to qualified businesses or local governments that invest in constructing, renovating, or improving commercial, industrial sites that are readily available to new businesses, established businesses that are considering moving to the state, or existing businesses within the state that need additional sites to remain or expand in Delaware. An information session will be held for interested applicants on Wednesday, January 19, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Those interested in attending the webinar can register at this link. Site Readiness Fund applications are available at business.delaware.gov/site-readiness-fund. Once completed, applications can be emailed to business_finance@delaware.gov. Applications must be submitted by February 18, 2022.
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Antigen Tests May be Less Effective in Detecting Omicron Variant |
Tests Detect Omicron Variant But May Have Reduced Sensitivity |
The Omicron variant has significantly more mutations than previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly in its S-gene, the gene that encodes the virus's spike protein. On December 28th, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that antigen tests may be less effective in detecting the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19. Early data suggests antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity. The FDA recommended a follow-up molecular test for people who are experiencing symptoms or have a high likelihood of infection due to exposure even if they have tested negative with an antigen test.
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MSD Launches Its Academic Channel |
Serves as Hub for Publishing Articles Through Cureus Journal |
Are you looking to publish your original article, case report, or technical report? MSD has worked with the team of the Cureus Journal of Medical Science and established a designated online "Academic Channel" for MSD on the Cureus site. As an author interested in publishing your work, this new process will make it simpler and keep you informed along the way of the submission process. The streamlined online submission system and efficient editorial review allow you to publish in weeks, not months. And since this is an open access model and published articles are indexed in PubMed Central, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and more, your work has global exposure. The peer review process leverages the collective intelligence of the Cureus community. We invite you to review the new Medical Society of Delaware Academic Channel and consider populating our "Articles" page with work from Delaware physicians. A separate Digital Digest will also be published and distributed via email to members every several months, delivering information about published articles on the site from your peers, as well as other educational information.
If you would like to join the team of peer reviewers on the Academic Channel, we'd love to have you! Please contact Mary LaJudice for more information.
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December Tornado Disaster Relief |
Help Victims of the Recent Devastating Tornadoes |
Sixty-eight confirmed tornadoes tore across ten US states on Friday, December 10th, and Saturday, December 11th leaving a path of destruction and death in their wake. The total damage and economic loss will take time to sort through. The Southeastern Delegation of the American Medical Association is a coalition of sixteen states, in addition to Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, of which Delaware is a member. The recent tornadoes impacted several of our Southeastern Delegation family states, particularly Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The Southeastern Delegation is asking for all the states in the coalition to spread the word to encourage donations to the stricken areas. Donations are encouraged through any fund you feel most helpful, however, please be sure your donation is going to a legitimate site. MSD is sharing the letter that was sent out to the Southeastern Delegation states asking for assistance to help those in need, which provides options for donation sites, including the AMA Foundation. If you can help, please do. Who knows if one day Delaware could face similar circumstances and be in need.
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Bayhealth announced it has received a $1.5 million grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware to support its Graduate Medical Education residency programs, the second grant awarded by Highmark to the GME residency programs.
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MSD Member Interest Corner |
MSD Member Publishes Second Book |
Jona Gorra, MD, FACP, hot off the heels of publishing "It's Only a Bump: Overcoming Challenges in a Small-town Medical Practice" in mid-2021, continues her success with her next publishing accomplishment. "Dr. Oozy" is a story of a cat who wanted to become a doctor but fretted because he was a cat. With the encouragement of his sister, Buki, he continued his education, opening up opportunities he never expected. The book was recently independently published and is available on Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback versions. Congratulations again, Dr. Gorra!
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Highlight On Events And Educational Offerings |
An Approach to Patients Who Have Not Gotten the COVID-19 Vaccine |
This course module was developed by the "Made to Save" Campaign and will explore a patient-centered approach to COVID-19 vaccine counseling to increase trust, confidence, and vaccine uptake, based on the experience of a national grassroots COVID-19 vaccine education and outreach campaign focused on underserved communities of color. The Yale School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Education Series |
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MSD/VIP Lunch and Learn Session |
Join us Wednesday, January 12 at 12:00 noon for an informative virtual one-hour session about the MSD Voluntary Initiative Program (VIP) and how it supports patients enrolled in the state's Health Care Connection Program. You'll learn about participating in the VIP network, the benefits for physicians and patients, and resources available to your practice. The event is open to physicians (including those who are already enrolled in VIP), allied health professionals, office managers, etc. There is no charge to participate, however, registration is required by Monday, January 10th. Once registered, details for joining the meeting will be provided 24 hours in advance.
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MSD, ACP, DAFP Delaware Virtual Healthcare Town Hall- Advocacy 101 |
Calling all Early Career Physicians! The American College of Physicians Delaware Chapter, the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians, and the Medical Society of Delaware are pleased to present a virtual Town Hall-style event with State Representative Michael F. Smith on February 16, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This event is being co-sponsored to bring together the primary care physician community in this dialogue. You are being invited to join us to share your thoughts and ideas about health care, as well as to have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with one of our state legislators and learn about healthcare advocacy. There is no charge to participate but we do require registration.
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Rick Hong, MD - Emergency Medicine, Delaware Division of Public Health
Joshua Rosen, MD- Emergency Medicine, Delaware Division of Public Health
Adam Skrzynski, MD- Infectious Diseases, ChristianaCare
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MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments.
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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447
The number of opioid deaths in Delaware in 2020, up from 431 in 2019.
DE Department of Health and Social Services
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83%
Percentage of the 447 Delaware opioid deaths in 2020 involving the use of fentanyl.
DE Department of Health and Social Services
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45.2
Delaware's opioid prescribing rate in 2020, per 100 people - higher than the US average of 43.3.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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January 21 - SAVE THE DATE! Delaware Section, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day "Maternal Care in the 21st Century," 1:00-5:00 p.m., virtual.
March 5-7 - Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health 2022 Annual Meeting, Accelerating Climate Solutions: From Urgency to Impact for Health Equity.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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The information contained herein is solely informational, planned in accordance for a diverse membership audience. This communication reflects news and announcements that have been made available to MSD and is not intended to exclude other pertinent material. The content published is proposed to represent facts of interest and provide awareness to the members. MSD reserves the right to determine what information is relevant to its membership. |
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Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
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