Coronavirus: AAFP calls for primary care vaccine prioritization

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is calling on federal and state authorities to prioritize primary care physicians and practices in the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccination push.

According to a news release, the AAFP urged the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Governors Association (NGA) in separate letters to “ take appropriate actions to prioritize community primary care physicians and their practices in vaccination strategies.”

Both letters strongly advocate for the vaccination of primary care physicians in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The release says the academy impressed upon these leaders that failure to include primary care physicians in their vaccination plans could lead to the failure of the whole enterprise and compromise the safety of patients seeking care both connected to COVID-19 and not.

The AAFP isn’t the only organization speaking up about the vaccination drive. Previously, the American College of Physicians (ACP) released recommendations seeking to According to a news release, the recommendations seek to address the role of physicians as vaccinators and informing they and the public about COVID-19 vaccines. They also enforce the importance of communication and collaboration between physicians and other vaccinators to ensure safety and continuity of care.

These recommendations include:

• Using all appropriately trained, state-licensed clinicians to administer the vaccines
• Urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, vaccine manufacturers, state, and local health departments to distribute all vaccine-related educational materials to all vaccinators including information on adverse effects of the vaccines.
• All vaccinators should coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with the patient’s primary care team to ensure safety and continuity of care.
• Vaccinators should record the administration data within the patient’s medical record and promptly report the vaccination to the state immunization information system or other designated system.
• That insurers be required to provide adequate reimbursement for all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines.