Published by Healthcare Innovation
More local health systems are getting the vaccine, but small and independent practices are still largely being left behind.
More research is coming out confirming that despite being the largest healthcare platform, primary care remains a largely untapped resource in vaccine administration.
Late last month, a survey from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) revealed that 85 percent of independent practices and 45 percent of hospital or health system-owned practices actively seeking the COVID-19 vaccine for their patients reported they have not obtained enough at the time the research was conducted. Now, a survey from the Primary Care Collaborative and the Larry A. Green Center finds that less than a fifth (19 percent) of responding physicians say they are currently administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
The survey took place from Jan. 15 to Jan. 19 and included responses from 1,065 U.S. primary care physicians spanning across all 50 states. Nearly a third of respondents said they have “no idea” when or if their practice will get the vaccine. And 32 percent of respondents say they have not been included in any state or regional planning and do not know if or when their practice will get the vaccine. Another quarter say they are waiting for delivery of the doses.