It’s finally here! The first COVID-19 vaccinations were given this week after nine long months of enduring the world-wide pandemic. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government, through Operation Warp Speed, has been working on one or more vaccinations. Healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff and patients were the first to receive the vaccine. BioNTech, Pfizer and Fosun Pharma are manufacturing the vaccine and all are FDA approved. On December 17, Moderna’s vaccine was endorsed by the FDA panel and should start being administered soon.
As with any vaccine, side effects could occur. Reported side effects include pain and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle pain. If the injection site swelling increases or symptoms last for several days, call your doctor.
Most COVID-19 vaccines require two shots. It is recommended that the second shot be administered even if side effects occur after the first shot (unless a doctor advises otherwise). COVID-19 vaccines that require two shots may not be effective until a week or two after your second shot, so it is important to continue to use the necessary precautions to battle the ongoing pandemic. Currently, those patients who contracted and recovered from COVID-19 may still need to receive a vaccine. Additional studies will be done and the Centers for Disease Control will make recommendations when more data is available.
The general public should be able to receive a vaccination sometime during the second quarter of 2021. The CDC states that children may not be able to receive the vaccine until further studies are done. There are currently not additional vaccines that prevent COVID-19; however, receiving the flu vaccine is recommended as it can prevent severe illness if and when you get the novel coronavirus.
The vaccination will be covered by most insurance plans. According to cms.gov, people without health insurance or whose insurance does not provide vaccine coverage will also be able to receive the vaccine at no cost through the Provider Relief Fund.
Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html for more information on the COVID-19 vaccine.
About PGM
Physicians Group Management (PGM) is one of the fastest-growing medical billing companies in the United States. For over 35 years, PGM has been providing medical billing and practice management services and software to physicians, healthcare facilities, and laboratories. PGM’s current client base encompasses the full spectrum of medical specialties, including Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Pathology, EMS & Ambulatory Services, Cardiology, Nephrology, Urology, Pain Management, OB/GYN, Gastroenterology, Independent Laboratory, and many more. PGM’s medical billing and practice management solutions include:
– A full suite of practice management and medical billing solutions each tailored to the specific needs of your practice
– CCHIT-certified electronic medical record software and services
– Streamlined, customized credentialing services for providers of all sizes
– Practice management software that provides advanced financial and practice analysis tools, specifically designed to give enhanced visibility of operations at the click of a button
– Laboratory billing software that offers best-in-class systems to streamline, and manage and track, financial and administrative processes