Primary Care’s Historic Role in Vaccination and Potential Role in COVID-19 Immunization Programs

• DOI: 10.1370/afm.2679
• Publication Date: 2021-07-12T22:20:17Z
• Authors: Elizabeth Wilkinson; Anuradha Jetty; Stephen Petterson; Yalda Jabbarpour; John M. Westfall
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic recovery will require a broad and coordinated effort for infection testing, immunity determination, vaccination. With the advent of several COVID-19 vaccines, dissemination delivery immunization across nation is concern. Previous patterns may reveal important components comprehensive sustainable to immunize everyone in nation.The vaccinations were enumerated by provider type using 2017 Medicare Part B Fee-For-Service data 2013-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The these services was examined at service, physician, visit level.In Fee-For-Service, primary care physicians provided largest share (46%), followed closely mass immunizers (45%), then nurse practitioners/physician assistants (NP/PAs) (5%). Survey showed that most clinical visits vaccination (54% all visits).Primary have played crucial role US population, including elderly, between 2012-2017. These findings indicate practices be element vaccine counseling upcoming efforts United States.