Health systems swap insights on COVID-19 vaccine rollout – American Medical Association

COVID-19 vaccine distribution has not gone as smoothly as we all would like. With health systems and physician practices across the country expressing their frustrations, the message is clear: More vaccines are needed to meet the growing demand.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout and distribution was discussed at the inaugural AMA Insight Network virtual meeting. The network aims to help AMA Health System Partner Program members save time and money, gain early access to innovative ideas, get feedback from their peers, network, and learn about pilot opportunities. Learn more.

These meetings are meant to bring together AMA subject-matter experts and health care leaders from around the country to share insights, best practices and also address questions or challenges that many are sharing on key issues, said James Gilligan, AMA vice president of health systems and group partnership. The networks meetings may be held up to 10 times a year and will cover a variety of topics such as satisfaction and sustainability, health equity, advocacy andchronic disease prevention.

Our team keeps a close eye on trends in health care that are relevant to our group partners, said Gilligan. Additionally, with several health system leaders reaching out about key vaccine questions, it led to the topic of planning and executing on strategies to distribute vaccines quickly and effectively to your communities.

Weve been hearing from physician offices that theyre not able to get the vaccines with the amount that they would like to be able to get, said Margaret Garikes, AMA vice president of federal affairs.

Focusing on COVID-19 vaccination rollout and distribution, the AMA Insight Network meeting in February featured presentations from physician leaders at Hattiesburg Clinic, Marshfield Clinic Health System and The Permanente Medical Group.

They all reported a similar problem: The supply of vaccines they are receiving is far below their capacity to administer them to eligible patients. The average weekly vaccine allotment from their individual states is only 20% as much as they could administer if they got more doses. The physician leaders attending said that states should look more to health systems already equipped to operationalize distribution.

Find out more about these health systems and others are moving medicine at theAMA partner spotlight page.

During the meeting, Garikes also shared the AMAs recent and ongoing COVID-19 advocacy efforts to help health systems and physician practices.

The AMA offers a COVID-19 vaccines guide for physicians to help build trust in vaccine safety and efficacy. This guide contains background and actions, evidence-based messaging guidance and best practices for consideration in external communications on COVID-19 vaccine topics.

Learn more about how the AMA is helping health systems face 2021s biggest challenges.

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Health systems swap insights on COVID-19 vaccine rollout - American Medical Association