News & Views: Three Current Clinical Issues Resulting from COVID-19 and Resources to Help

COVID-19 has upended all aspects of life, creating a need for new approaches, additional resources, and a whole lot of patience. As society tries to return to some sense of normalcy, the issues that require attention change. The most pressing issues at this moment, and resources to help, include:

1. COVID fatigue

People are gathering in crowds, not wearing masks, and trying to return to life as normal. Some are questioning whether it is better to intentionally expose one’s self and family to the virus to “get it over with.” All of these are concerning issues, particularly as cases rise and needs for medical resources, like ICU beds, near their limits.

Resources to help:

• Cases are Up, Mask Use Is Down — Let’s Reverse That, Medscape Commentary, Paul G. Auwaerter, MD (May require signing up for a free account.)
• Coronavirus parties are a bad idea, Medscape Commentary, Charlotte A. Moser
• CDC resources — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a variety of helpful resources, including printable resources, videos, public service announcements (PSAs), and a social media toolkit. The CDC also offers an embeddable microsite that you can add to your own website.

2. Creating new policies and procedures for medical visits

Medical visits have decreased as people fear exposure to COVID-19, and practices have had to grapple with instituting new procedures and practices to keep staff and patients safe during the pandemic.

Resources to help:

• Framework for healthcare systems providing non-COVID-19 clinical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC
• COVID-19 practice management resources, American College of Physicians
• Guidance for providers returning to practice, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Tools and models for social distancing in vaccination clinics, Maryland Partnership for Prevention — Webinar featuring contact-free and contact-limited tools. Note: Use password 6Y!66^*1 to access the recording. If you would like to learn more or schedule a demo, contact Tiffany Tate, Executive Director, Maryland Partnership for Prevention at tiffany.tate@immunizemaryland.org.

3. Catching up on routine immunizations

During the shutdown, many children fell behind on routine vaccinations. Further, as people continue to have concerns about COVID-19 exposure, they may wonder about forgoing routine visits. In order to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, it is important to actively work toward catching up and keeping up with routine immunizations.

Resources to help:

• Vaccination guidance during a pandemic, CDC
• Recommendations for pharmacy-based immunization services during COVID-19, California Pharmacists Association
• Guidance on providing pediatric well-care during COVID-19, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Additional resources

For more information and to stay updated on new resources, check out the “Repository of Resources for Maintaining Immunization during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” offered on the Immunization Coalitions Network website and maintained by the Immunization Action Coalition.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) also has a series of webinars that providers may find helpful, including:

• Protecting adults with heart disease
• Protecting adults with diabetes
• Preparing college campuses
• Protecting high-risk adults at home and in the community

Access these and other webinars on the NFID website or check out their other coronavirus resources.