Last updated 11.29.2021
Today, AVMA launched a targeted campaign to encourage members, the veterinary healthcare team, and clients to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are able. This campaign was encouraged by the CDC, as the agency recognizes the key role veterinarians play in society and public health. You may see campaign elements in your email, social media feeds, through advertising on websites that you visit, in your mailbox, or even on digital screens at various businesses.
As veterinarians, we understand the power of vaccines and are uniquely qualified to share their importance in preventing and controlling disease, and we have created a variety of materials for members to use in sharing this information in their practices and communities. These include:
Many of the materials offer multiple versions featuring veterinarians interacting with various animal species, so that they are relevant to different audiences. Physical campaign materials will be mailed the week of December 3rd to practices located within geographic areas that have been reported by the CDC to have lower vaccination rates. You are invited to view www.avma.org/VaccinationTools to view and download any of these materials.
We fully understand that not every veterinarian will be comfortable discussing the COVID-19 vaccine, and that every encounter with a colleague or client simply isn't going lend itself to a conversation about vaccination against COVID-19. The resource materials are intended to make that conversation easier for those who are comfortable and do want to take the opportunity to discuss it with their colleagues and clients.
—AVMA Division of State Advocacy
All State of Ohio Emergency Health Orders have been rescinded as of June 18, 2021.
The Executive Orders, when originally issued, allowed non-traditional vaccine administrators to administer COVID-19 vaccine to the public. With the lifting of these orders, veterinarians and other previously authorized administrators are no longer permitted to give COVID vaccines in the state of Ohio.
Dentists, dental hygienists, and veterinarians scheduled to participate in upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics, and enrolled provider sites that utilize these professionals to administer COVID-19 vaccine, must make alternative arrangements to have others administer vaccine.
This morning, Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the next stage of Ohio’s vaccination schedule, which is based on age and medical condition, rather than specifically incorporating essential workers as identified in the CDC guidelines. However, in less than two weeks, all Ohioans over age 16 will be eligible to be vaccinated.
Beginning Friday, the next phase includes individuals ages 40 and up and those with the following medical conditions: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and/or obesity.
On March 29, all Ohioans are tentatively scheduled to become eligible.
Vaccination appointments can be scheduled through various health provider networks and the state’s new statewide vaccination website.
The Ohio Department of Health director has issued an order authorizing certain medical personnel, including veterinarians, to administer COVID vaccines.
In his press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 12, Gov. Mike DeWine shared the following information:
In his press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 5, Gov. Mike DeWine shared the following information:
With the COVID vaccine distribution and administration underway, there have been a number of inquiries regarding when and how veterinarians might be eligible to receive it. As we have previously shared, veterinarians are identified in the CDC guidelines as "essential workers," with a grouping now identified by the CDC as 1B and 1C. The OVMA has reinforced your importance in food safety and public health in correspondence with Gov. DeWine’s office.
While we have indications that the State of Ohio will likely follow much of the CDC framework, there will be some variations, such as identifying individuals 65 years of age and older and teachers for the next round of vaccinations in Ohio.
It remains unknown how the essential worker pool, including veterinarians, will be prioritized after that round. Available vaccine quantities and distribution rates will of course impact the timing as well.
At present, there are no means to sign up, reserve, or otherwise take action to place yourself “in line” for when veterinarian healthcare teams will be eligible for the vaccine. There is also no information at this point explaining how individuals will be asked to verify their status to receive the vaccine.
We have been told it will likely be two to four weeks at minimum before more definitive information on subsequent phases will be made available. As soon as we have more information, we will notify members via e-mail and update this page.
With multiple COVID-19 vaccines on the verge of gaining FDA approval, Gov. Mike DeWine held a press conference last week to unveil the state's vaccination distribution plan. Initially, there will be a limited supply of doses available, which the Ohio Department of Health plans to distribute first to the following populations during Phase 1A:
According to CDC guidelines, essential workers are included in the second tier of vaccine distributions. OVMA reached out to the governor’s office a few weeks ago to reaffirm the role of veterinarians and their staffs as essential workers. In other words, veterinarians and their teams are currently identified in the second vaccination group, right after human healthcare.
As vaccine supply increases, Ohio will be able to continue to vaccinate Ohioans who choose to receive the vaccine. The speed at which Ohio will move through the phases is largely dependent upon the number of vaccines available.
For more information on Ohio's COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan, please visit the ODH Coronavirus website.
In a statewide address last week, Gov. Mike DeWine reaffirmed and strengthened Ohio’s statewide mask requirements, as well as outlining possible next steps if COVID-19 infections continue to rise.
By state order, both employees and customers are required to wear masks in businesses. The stepped-up mask requirements also state that businesses must post signage regarding the mask mandate; specific verbiage or dimensions are not stipulated. The state has created sample signs for businesses to use; you may download these and other signage on ODH's coronavirus website (the new mask mandate signs are under the "Face Coverings" tab).
Additionally, businesses must now enforce the mask mandate on customers entering their facility. Failure to do so would result in a warning on the first occurrence and a possible forced closure for 24 hours for subsequent violations.
At this time, the governor's order includes no other related restrictions that would affect veterinary operations. We will keep you apprised of any changes as they may occur.
The Ohio Public Health Advisory System consists of four color-coded levels that provide Ohioans with guidance as to the severity of the problem in the counties in which they live. The levels are determined by seven data indicators that identify the risk level for each county and a corresponding color code to represent that risk level.
Level 3 (red) indicates very high exposure and spread. Residents are advised to limit activities as much as possible.
Gov. Mike DeWine has mandated wearing face coverings in all public locations statewide. Specifically, this includes any non-residential indoor location and outdoors when unable to maintain a distance of six feet from other people.
Although the new rule mandates face coverings with few exceptions, it does not stipulate any required external enforcement by the business owner.
Businesses in counties not under a mask order may still choose to require visitors to wear masks as a condition of entering their facilities.
On May 21, the Ohio Expositions Commission announced the cancelation of the 2020 Ohio State Fair out of concerns for public health, citing the difficulty of hosting an event that last year drew 934,925 visitors while adhering to social distancing protocols.
"The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity fair would be too great," commission chair Andy Doehrel added, "and we need to protect the Ohio State Fair for future generations."
As for county and independent fairs, decisions about whether to proceed or to cancel are made on a local level.
To assist county fair boards and agricultural groups in making this determination, the Fair Advisory Group has developed guidelines for how officials can work with county health departments to safely operate junior fairs.
We recognize that some of you have grooming services associated with your clinic operations. Accordingly, we had reached out to Gov. Mike DeWine's office to ascertain whether pet grooming services would be considered as a retail service and allowed to restart next week on May 12, or would be considered under the personal appearance category for resumption on May 15. As of today, we have not received clarification; however, with human grooming allowed to resume next Friday, both options will, one way or another, take effect next week.
We are aware of a local health department that has already provided guidance that grooming would be considered a retail service and allowed to resume May 12. After reviewing the retail service and personal appearance order provisions, this seems consistent with its intent. Though absent specific state guidance, resumption of grooming on May 12 is reasonable, and in any event will be permitted by May 15.
In all grooming situations, proper general safety business protocols (e.g., masks when around other people, social distancing, and frequent disinfecting) is required. "Curbside service" and other safety measures you are now following in your clinic should be extended to grooming situations as applicable and to the extent possible.
Gov. Mike DeWine's announcement yesterday cleared the way for all veterinary medical procedures to restart this Friday, May 1. This expansion includes elective procedures, all vaccines, and well checks, among other activity related to the animal's current and future health.
At this juncture, it does not appear this was intended to include grooming services unless there is a correlating medical necessity. The expansion to all veterinary medical activity mirrors the broadening of human medical activity. Because human grooming services are not cleared to resume at this point, the spirit of the directive would suggest the same is true for pets, though the interactions are obviously different. We will provide additional clarity as we receive more information.
Please note that the directive instructs the continuation of minimizing PPE use to the extent possible, stating that "dental services and veterinary services may also proceed if a safe environment can be established."
The safety protocols all entities are now instructed to follow include:
Veterinary medical professionals are already practicing many of these protocols, and other safety measures implemented during the pandemic, such as keeping clients and animals in vehicles until service can be provided and remote payment, should continue.
We will keep you apprised of new developments as they occur. Please remember, a number of related health and business operational guidance materials can be found on OVMA's coronavirus resources page.
Gov. Mike DeWine today announced his general plans to begin reopening and expanding activities in Ohio. In his press conference this afternoon, he discussed a return to elective medical procedures and stated that veterinary medicine would be "full speed ahead," effective this Friday, May 1.
To verify a complete understanding of all parameters, we need to review the language of the actual order, which was not yet available at press time. It is, however, our understanding that elective procedures, such as spay/neuter and routine dentals, are no longer restricted and can resume beginning Friday.
It is important to note that there are also general business parameters that are to be followed, including six feet distancing where possible, wearing masks when around fellow employees, health check-ins with employees, and frequent disinfecting.
While we know you may have a number of questions, please be aware that we are awaiting complete information before we can provide any additional details. We understand that more information will be posted sometime today on Ohio's coronavirus website. We will share more information tomorrow morning after we review and confirm the details.
As reported on Monday, OVMA has asked the governor to remove restrictions on elective procedures in veterinary medicine. To date, we have not received word on when this will take place.
Earlier this week, you may have heard that ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton issued a new order regarding elective procedures. However, this action was a clarification to the original order on human elective surgery (view parameters here) issued on March 17 and does not pertain to veterinary medicine.
We recognize our request interrelates to a broader plan to begin resuming certain activities with appropriate safeguards in place. We also are aware that many veterinary clinics and their clients are eagerly anticipating the return of the availability of these elective procedures.
We will likely learn of the governor's plans early next week, but cannot guarantee the same. We will inform you as soon as we are made aware.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed this afternoon that two pet cats in New York have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. These are the first pets in the United States to test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Both cats had mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery.
The animals live in separate areas of New York state. While neither lives in a household with any residents confirmed COVID-19 positive, it is not clear if the owners were only mildly ill or asymptomatic. It is possible they also may have contracted it from a person outside the home.
The CDC and USDA reconfirmed that routine testing of animals is still not recommended at this time. State animal health and public health officials will take the lead should that recommendation change.
Yesterday the Ohio Department of Health issued an order requiring healthcare practitioners and facilities to register ventilators online with ODH, so health officials can track quantities and locations.
The definition of ventilator in the order (click here to read) includes anesthetic machines. It is not clear from the order whether it was intended to apply to veterinary facilities. We have reached out to the governor's office this afternoon for clarification. While the order calls for posting a ventilator equipment inventory online by the end of today, there is not a stated penalty for failure to meet this timeline.
To prevent confusion in their data, we suggest waiting until OVMA receives clarification on if veterinary facilities are required to register. We will advise you as soon as we have received confirmation from an appropriate authority.
Federal legislation passed late last week by Congress offers important relief options to mitigate some of the economic effects of the pandemic crisis. Besides individual relief payments to some taxpayers, the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers assistance to small businesses, student loan payees, and laid-off workers.
Open to companies with fewer than 500 employees, these loans are available through SBA lending institutions. Small businesses can receive funds of up to 250% of their average monthly payroll, which can be used to cover certain expenses. Borrowers will also be eligible for loan forgiveness for certain expenses equal to the amount spent during an eight-week period after the loan's origination date.
The federal relief package also includes a provision suspending federal student loan payments and interest accrual for a six-month period (through Sept. 30, 2020).
For individuals whose employment has been impacted during the coronavirus pandemic, a federal expansion of unemployment benefits now includes self-employed and independent contractors who make less than $100,000 annually. Additional federal funds now add $600 weekly to state unemployment benefits. Ohio has also waived minimum waiting period provisions.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton has issued an order for all Ohioans to shelter in place effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23. Essential services/businesses are exempted, including veterinary medicine. Clients taking animals in for treatment are also exempt as are animal shelters. Businesses that remain open must implement social distancing provisions.
We are confirming our understanding of all elements of the order with the governor's office tomorrow and will also share additional information relative to the order at that time.
We are aware that you have received conflicting information on the permissibility of elective surgeries in veterinary medicine. We apologize for the confusion this has caused you, your staff, and your clients.
This morning, we spoke with senior policy officials in Gov. DeWine's office to clarify how the provisions of yesterday's order were applicable to veterinary medicine. What we shared earlier today accurately reflected the information as we understood it.
After sending our e-bulletin, however, we were made aware that it conflicted with information you received from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board. As a result, we immediately reached back out to the governor's office for clarification. We have received the following clarification from the governor:
"At yesterday's daily update on COVID-19, Dr. Acton announced an order limiting elective surgeries in light of the demand for medical supplies and the need for personal protective equipment. As a follow-up to this announcement, the Governor's office sent out communication that said this order would include elective surgeries for animals. After further review, it needs to be clarified the Director of Health's order did not include elective surgeries for animals."
Please be aware that the governor's office also indicated that:
"in the coming days the Director of the Ohio Department of Health will be signing an order clarifying that veterinarians will be included as part of the directive regarding elective surgeries. In the interim, it is [the governor's office's] hope that Ohio's veterinarians will partner with the state in the preservation of Personal Protective Equipment/necessary medical supplies needed for the ongoing health emergency."
In the current environment of rapidly evolving and changing information, we strive to be as complete and accurate as possible while also providing information in a timely manner. Unfortunately, there obviously can be miscommunications and misunderstandings, as occurred in this instance. We know this can be frustrating and confusing for all involved, and we hope the above has clarified the situation for you.
ODA has made changes in the process of delivering samples to limit human-to-human contact. When dropping off a sample, please call the lab, and a staff member will come to the door to accept the sample in a safe manner for both parties.
On Saturday, March 14, OVMA President Dr. Greg Hass and Executive Director Jack Advent spoke with Gov. Mike DeWine, who asked that veterinary offices turn over any personal protective equipment (PPE) that could be spared to their local Emergency Management Agency for distribution and use in human healthcare. The governor also encouraged any efforts within veterinary medicine that could conserve PPE use. We did share with the governor that, to our knowledge, PPE supplies in veterinary medicine facilities are already very limited due to current demand and backorders, but as a profession we would do our best to assist.
If you are in a position to do so, please deliver any PPE supplies you can spare to your county's Emergency Management Agency. Please also let the OVMA office know of your donation (contact [email protected]) so we can track a statewide response. It is not clear at this time whether you will be reimbursed by the state for any donation, but at a minimum any donation may be eligible for a business tax deduction.
Later on March 14, Gov. DeWine's office released the following statement:
"Governor DeWine announced that the state had received its personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, and goggles, from the National Strategic Reserve last night. He asked all health care providers and others that use PPE to conserve their supplies. Governor DeWine requested that dentists and veterinarians postpone elective surgeries. Governor DeWine explained that his health advisory group is in the process of developing guidelines for doctors for postponing elective surgeries that will not put patients at risk. These measures will open up critical treatment beds while preserving the state's limited supply of PPE." Read full release ❯❯
Relative to elective surgeries, be advised that the governor's statement was a request. It should be viewed in a broader context of conservation of resources. OVMA has not taken a formal position on postponing elective surgeries; as with most medical decisions, it is a determination best made between the veterinarian and the client, reflecting individual medical circumstances.
Another option to consider in the effort to preserve PPE is temporarily modifying general surgical standards of care where appropriate, including:
❯❯ See also: FDA's Surgical Mask and Gown Conservation Strategies
On Monday morning, OVMA made a formal appeal to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, requesting that it permit actions like these that would normally violate the minimum standards of care (OAC 4741-1-03) during this current healthcare crisis. We are also part of national discussions relative to this approach.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201 very early Saturday, March 14. The bill will be taken up by the Senate very quickly and is expected to pass the Senate this upcoming week. It is possible the Senate will make changes. President Trump has indicated he will sign the bill as soon as it is delivered to his desk. Read more from AVMA ❯❯
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Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Helpline
Phone: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (Daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Website: www.coronavirus.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services COVID CareLine for Ohioans
Trained staff are available to provide emotional assistance to anyone struggling with mental health concerns due to the ongoing stress of the pandemic.
Phone: 800-720-9616 (available 24/7)
Last updated 05.01.2020 at 11:20 a.m.