NYSDOH Guidance for Physicians Interested in Administering the COVID-19 Vaccine

A recent media alert issued by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) outlines the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) guidance for physicians interested in administering the COVID-19 vaccine in their practice or clinic. To prepare for the first supply of Pfizer’s immunization, which according to MSSNY President Bonnie Litvack will likely arrive to New York in December, State officials are directing physicians to enroll in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) or in New York City’s Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). Furthermore, physicians must complete the 2020 COVID-19 & Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Provider Information questionnaire, which evaluates interest in providing the vaccine to patients and collects information on practice size, location, storage ability and more.

According to the State’s distribution plan, available vaccinations will first be dispensed to those at high risk of exposure, illness and/or poor outcomes, including healthcare workers and patients in long term care facilities, federally qualified health centers, urgent care centers, pharmacies, state institutional settings, ambulatory care providers, including independent private practices and clinics, and home health/hospice care.

NYSDOH says it will release a recorded webinar and written materials with further detail and an enrollment instruction guide in early December. Enrollment in the COVID-19 Program for ambulatory care providers is scheduled to begin on December 21,2020.

Policyholders are strongly encouraged to monitor NYS regulations and protocols related to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as emerging evidence on the safety and efficacy of the immunization.

Additionally, MLMIC has assembled a number of other critical resources to support New York physicians as they navigate the pandemic. This information, which includes the latest developments in medicine and government, can be accessed on our website.