ODH Letter to Primary Care Providers re Addressing Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment

Dear Health/Medical Association and Licensing Board Partners,

Primary care providers can play a pivotal role in increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines and building vaccine confidence with their patients. As Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy has evolved to a more community-based approach, partnerships with Ohioans’ most trusted sources in healthcare are essential.

According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, half of individuals who indicated they are taking a “wait and see” approach to COVID-19 vaccination also indicated they would be more likely to get the vaccine if it were offered during a routine medical visit. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) deeply appreciates primary care practices who have already been able to enroll as COVID-19 vaccination providers – and we thank all primary care providers who have been working tirelessly to educate their patients on the importance and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Their efforts have helped save lives and will continue to do so.

ODH understands that COVID-19 vaccination provider enrollment and requirements may seem complicated and perhaps daunting to some primary care providers. We would like to share with them recent actions taken to reduce potential barriers to enrollment while continuing to adhere to federal requirements for vaccination providers. Details are outlined in the attached letter which we ask you to consider sending to your primary care members/licensees and/or repurposing the content for your other member communications such as an e-newsletter article, etc.

If you have any questions about this request after today (Wednesday), please contact ODH Chief Policy Officer Erica Wilson in my absence over the next couple of days. She can be reached at Erica.Wilson@odh.ohio.gov or mobile phone (614) 359-4098.

Thank you for considering this request!

Regards,

Russ Kennedy

Director of Stakeholder Relations

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