COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Providers

2021 Louisiana Health Alert Network Messages

Provider Enrollment for COVID-19 Vaccine   

COVID-19 Vaccine Provider ToolkitCOVID-19 Vaccine Storing & Handling

Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions for Providers

COVID-19 Provider Training

Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines

Ending the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to vaccinate as many people as possible. The new vaccines offer our best path toward saving lives, opening schools and businesses, and rebuilding our economy.

The decision to get vaccinated is a personal one that is influenced by many factors. Research shows that Americans most trust their own doctor for information about COVID-19 and vaccines. People want unbiased facts about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines – and information about whether vaccination is the right choice for them – from their doctor.

The nation is making good progress in getting more people vaccinated, but many still say they will probably not get the vaccine. While numerous national and local efforts are attempting to address people’s concerns, the single most influential factor will be a strong recommendation from a medical professional.

What is vaccine confidence? 

Vaccine confidence is the trust that patients, their families, and providers have in:

  • Recommended vaccines
  • Providers who administer vaccines
  • Processes and policies that lead to vaccine development, licensure, or authorization, manufacturing, and recommendations for use

Many factors influence vaccine decision-making, including cultural, social, and political factors; individual and group factors; and vaccine-specific factors. However, confidence in the vaccines, the vaccinator, and the health care system all support the decision to get vaccinated. 

Why is it important?

Most people in the US are planning to get vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines. But some may want more information about COVID-19 vaccines, including the process for developing and authorizing these vaccines and information about their safety and effectiveness. It is important to note that the medical system has a long history of mistreating Black and disabled Americans. Is it because of this earned mistrust that we must focus efforts on fostering confidence and trust-building in our pursuit to vaccinate as many Louisianans as possible. 

By taking the time to listen to individual's concerns and to answer their questions, you can help people become more confident about the vaccines and increase the likelihood of vaccination. When you get vaccinated, share the reasons why you did on social media and in your conversations with family and friends. You can have a powerful influence on those around you by sharing your experience. Strong confidence in the vaccines means more people get vaccinated, which means fewer COVID-19 illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.  

Click here for VACCINE CONFIDENCE resources

Six Ways to Improve Vaccine Acceptance Among Your Patient Families
 
Learn more on talking to patients about COVID-19 vaccine confidence.
  1. Lead by example. Get vaccinated and encourage your entire staff to be vaccinated.
  2. Prepare your health care team, pharmacy teams, and staff to have these conversations. Ask your staff members if they’d be willing to speak with their colleagues and patients about why they got vaccinated. All staff should be
    equipped to answer basic questions about COVID vaccines.
  3. Share educational materials widely. Post information in the waiting room, the staff break room, and common areas in your facility. Publish information on your website, intranet, and social media platforms. Include a way for people to contact you with questions.
  4. During patient visits, make the COVID-19 vaccine a new vital sign. Ask every patient what their vaccination plan is. For those who say they will take it, make sure they know how and where to schedule an appointment. If they
    say they’re not sure, discuss their concerns and answer their questions.
  5. Partner with your health department, employers, and others to engage with community members. Collaborate with trusted messengers – like faith-based leaders, local employers, and other community leaders – to tailor and share culturally relevant messages and materials.
  6. Consider sending a letter or email to your patients. Start by expressing your concern for the health of your patients and their loved ones. Provide facts, refer them to additional resources, and offer to answer questions. 

Provider Enrollment Hotline 

LDH has established a COVID-19 Provider Enrollment Hotline to assist potential COVID-19 vaccination providers with enrolling in the program. If there are questions related to enrollment, please call 225-325-5880. A team member will be available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) to help complete the enrollment process. The following help will be provided:

  • Assistance with the Provider Enrollment Process and Provider Agreements
  • Locating an Immunization Consultant within your Region
  • Provider status updates

For technical assistance with LA LINKS, providers should email: LA.LINKS@la.gov

Vaccination Resources for Vaccinators of Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Recipients and Workers

Recipients of LDH Home and Community Based Services ages 16 and up are currently eligible for vaccination. Click here for samples of documents recipients can show when they are present for vaccination.

Helpful Resources

Flip the Script: Provider Talking Points

Newsletters & Important Updates 

Worksite COVID-19 Vaccination Providers

Safe Vaccine Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Using infection-prevention practices with all patients is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination providers should adhere to the guidance below:

Staff personal infection prevention and control procedures

  • Wear a medical facemask at all times.
  • Conduct recommended hand hygiene and cleaning of the environment between all patient appointments.
  • Use eye protection based on level of community transmission.
  • Wear gloves when administering intranasal or oral vaccine. Gloves should be changed with each patient in addition to performing hand hygiene.
  • If gloves are worn when administering intramuscular or subcutaneous vaccines, they should be also be changed with each patient in addition to performing hand hygiene.

Other facility-level procedures to minimize exposure among patients

  • Screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms and thier contact with COVID-19, before and upon arrival.
  • Isolate any symptomatic patients as soon as possible.
  • Limit and monitor points of entry to the facility and install barriers to limit contact with patients at triage.
  • Implement policies for the use of a cloth face covering in persons over the age of 2 years.
  • Promote adherence to respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and hand hygiene among everyone in the facility.
  • Separate sick patients from well patients by scheduling these visits during different times of the day.
  • Ask patients to remain outside until they are called into the facility, if possible.
  • Ensure that physical-distancing measures, with separation of at least 6 feet between patients and visitors, are maintained during all aspects of the visit, including check-in, checkout, screening procedures, and post-vaccination monitoring, using strategies such as physical barriers, signs, ropes, and floor markings.
  • Utilize electronic communications as much as possible (e.g., filling out needed paperwork online in advance) to minimize time in the office as well as reuse of materials (e.g., clipboards, pens).

Additional ResourcesSafe Vaccine Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for vaccination providers on using proper infection-prevention practices with all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - A step-by-step guide on how to properly put on different types of PPE. 

Protect your Health - Learn how to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 Non-Traditional Vaccination Clinics - How to protect staff, patients, and visitors at satellite, temporary, or off-site locations.  

Multi-Use Communications

Sequence for Putting on PPE

 

 

 

  

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Medical Staffing Vendors

If you have additional staffing needs, click here for list of agencies.

Information for Providers

  

Schools and Daycares

Long Term Care Facilities

The guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease. Residents in retirement communities and independent living facilities are considered to be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes because of older age and because they may have underlying health conditions. These resources be accessed using the links below.

If you have questions about the updated guidance or recommendations, please reach out to:  eocevent357@cdc.gov.

Also of interest, other updates from CDC