Resources available for your physicians on COVID-19 vaccine strategies

Posted on: 4/30/21

In an effort to improve the COVID-19 vaccine uptake, the statewide COVID vaccine planning committee, led by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, is reaching out to physicians and asking them to encourage their patients to receive the vaccine. It is thought that physicians could influence those who are either hesitant to receive the vaccine, or just have not taken the time to make an appointment for the vaccine.

OHA has sent information to our member CEOs because hospitals have many owned and managed physician practices, and we are hoping that you will discuss this within your organization and assist your affiliated physicians in developing strategies to reach their patients about taking the vaccine. Please pass this information on to the appropriate person in your organization to implement these strategies.

In the “letter to physicians,” there are several suggestions on how physicians can participate in the vaccine program and encourage their patients. These suggestions are below. 

1. If you have the vaccine at your facility, we encourage you to offer the opportunity to get the vaccine to your patients.

2. If you don’t have the vaccine in your facility, you can enroll to become a provider (enrollment process is available at the link below).

3. If you will not have the vaccine at the facility, we encourage you to take the opportunity to discuss the vaccine with your patient and answer any questions. If they decide they would like to get the vaccine, there are options for them to schedule the appointment.
     a. You can provide them with the link to schedule an appointment through the state’s Vaccine Scheduler Portal (vaccinate.oklahoma.gov) or through the federal Vaccine Finder tool (vaccinefinder.org).
     b. You can provide them with literature or resources to schedule the vaccine at a local event or through a local pharmacy.

Using these other resources hospitals and their affiliated physician practices can identify ways to reach out to their patient population.

The COVID Vaccine Planning Committee thanks you for your attention to this matter. (LaWanna Halstead)