April 8, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Thrive Tip: Seeking Care is Safe and Healthy During COVID-19
- Everyone Ages 16 and Older Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccinations Later in April
- COVID-19 Vaccination Insights
- Why I Got the Vaccine: Monica Serrano
- KPNW Superhero Award Winners
Thrive Tip: Seeking Care is Safe and Healthy During COVID-19
Visits to the doctor and dentist have dropped dramatically during the pandemic because people are nervous about being exposed to COVID-19. In this month’s KPTV Thrive Tip, Dr. Olubukola O. Okafor, Pediatrics, physician-in-charge in Longview, cautions that health issues don’t just go away – and minor conditions left untreated can get worse.
We can all help spread the word that routine medical and dental visits – in-person or virtually – help keep us healthy, and it’s safe to seek care. Reassure friends and family, and direct members to visit kp.org and click on “Get Care.”
Everyone Ages 16 and Older Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccinations Later in April
In line with federal updates, eligibility dates for vaccine in Oregon and Washington have moved up:
Oregon: Beginning April 19, everyone ages 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. More information is available at the OHA Vaccine Sequencing Infographic.
Washington: Beginning April 15, everyone ages 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. For a full description of all phases and tiers in Washington, refer to the Washington Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine site.
Vaccination is still by appointment only. Guide patients to kp.org/covidvaccine/nw to check vaccination appointment availability and schedule an appointment. Beginning this week, an expanded number of medical office buildings began offering the vaccine. However, vaccine supply fluctuates week to week so the number of available vaccinations will vary.
Next Live Audio Broadcast Coming Up Tuesday
Plan on joining the next LIVE audio broadcast on Tuesday, April 13, starting at 12:10 p.m. Note: We plan to offer a live audio broadcast every other Tuesday through June.
What COVID-19 topics interest you most? What questions do you want answered? Submit your questions or suggestions to help shape our audio broadcast agendas!
Why I Got the Vaccine: Monica Serrano
Monica Serrano, manager of Interpreter and Translation Services for KPNW, shares how family health and a desire to get her kids back in school drove her decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine. At the end of last year, a relative who has diabetes spent a week in the hospital due to COVID-19. “The experience was very stressful for the whole family. It enhanced my commitment to help others understand how they can protect themselves by getting vaccinated,” Monica says. Read more here.
COVID-19 Vaccination Market Insights and Trends
KP National teams are looking at market and member insights to plan and adjust our approach to vaccination communications. The following findings were reported April 7:
- All 50 states have expanded or will expand vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and up by April 19. Oregon expands April 19 and Washington on April 15.
- Enthusiasm for the vaccine is growing, with shift greatest among Black adults, with 55% now saying they have received a dose or want one soon (compared with 41% in February).
- For the first time, more than half of Americans feel confident about knowing where (67%) and when (53%) they’ll get a vaccine.
- J&J vaccine is more popular among people who are somewhat hesitant
- Males have higher intent but lower vaccination rate*
- Older members are likelier to be vaccinated and have higher intent to vaccinate compared to younger members*
- Medicare members have the highest vaccination rate and highest intent to vaccinate*
- Hispanic members have a lower vaccination rate than Black members but higher vaccination intent*
*Source: IRAD and NMR Vaccine Perceptions Survey
Starting today: ‘OpenNotes’ Launches
The 21st Century Cures Act (“OpenNotes”) begins today, April 8, in ambulatory, inpatient, and the care continuum. Inpatients will receive clinical notes in real time, rather than when they are discharged. Review the reminder that was published in the most recent HealthConnect Update.
KPNW Superhero Award Winners
Anita Vinson, Licensed Professional Counselor at Brookside Center Addiction Medicine
Anita, who is considered a high-risk individual for COVID-19, spent most of the early days of the pandemic working from home developing a successful Virtual Intensive Program for Brookside members who were also high-risk and unable to come in for treatment. Read more.
The KPNW Superhero Award celebrates this excellence by recognizing the creative and collaborative ways your teammates support our company, our members, and community. Help spread the word! Post the KPNW Superhero Award flier in break rooms, and wherever teams gather for meetings / huddles and nominate your hero today!
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of April 7. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
NWP 365 Podcast Episodes
Episode 148 | Dr. Dacones speaks with Dr. Spindel about COVID-19, vaccines, and symptoms.