A Message from Premise Health COO Beth Ratliff

Good morning everyone,

I hope this note finds you healthy as we move into 2021. While this year has already brought its own set of challenges, including a slower-than-hoped vaccine roll out, we are hopeful that the U.S. is turning a corner in regard to the pandemic. In the months since I last wrote, the first Americans have been successfully vaccinated with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, two other viable vaccines, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, are estimated to receive FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) early this year, and other vaccines are on the horizon. Creating and distributing a safe and effective vaccine in just nine months is an incredible medical achievement and based on those that are approved and those forthcoming, federal estimates state we will be able to vaccinate 30 million people in January and 50 million in February.

After months of challenging work, this positive news is a great source of motivation as we move into the new year. Similar to the early days of the pandemic, information is changing daily, so I’d like to provide you all with an update on COVID-19 vaccine efforts, both in the United States and within Premise.

What We Know

Having not one but two approved vaccines means more Americans can be vaccinated in a shorter amount of time, which should significantly shorten our country’s timeline to getting the coronavirus under control. There is no preference between the two vaccines, as both are highly effective. In the early weeks and months of the vaccine rollout, state and local officials will distribute the vaccine based on availability, prioritization, and in accordance with the storage requirements for each vaccine type. As you know, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on a phasic prioritization of distribution made up of phases 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2. It’s important to note that state governments may subdivide these phases at their discretion and each state will oversee vaccine distribution in accordance with the needs of their population.

As you may have heard in the news, there is a coronavirus variant, B117, that has spread in the United Kingdom and is now present in over 35 countries, including the United States. Our COVID-19 clinical response team is closely monitoring this situation and any new developments out of the WHO, CDC, and the medical community. We continue to see vaccination playing a critical role in combating the virus.

Where Premise Stands

At Premise, we see our team members and members getting access to a vaccine across several stages based on the industries we serve. Several of our clients are hospitals with healthcare workers falling under the 1a category, and we are actively vaccinating against COVID-19 at those sites now.

The majority of our sites are awaiting the vaccine. Our teams have been hard at work and are prepared to administer a vaccine when available to their respective member populations. We have created procedures, workflows, and member resources for use at our centers to best serve your populations. To ensure a seamless rollout at our centers, we're planning our vaccine strategy in three categories:

1. Health center-based vaccination at our centers, which have completed the CDC enrollment process in preparation to participate in state-by-state vaccination programs.
2. Ongoing vaccination within retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens, our longtime partner. Our Premise pharmacies are preparing for COVID-19 vaccine inclusion in their allocation strategy, based on supply and availability.
3. Event-based vaccinations, structured similar to a mass flu or biometric event. There are some nuances to these programs given the nature of the COVID-19 vaccine’s storage and post-administration observation requirements. We anticipate the Moderna vaccine will be our primary vaccine, given it can be stored in standard freezers at our centers.

We know keeping your people safe is your top priority and understand waiting for a vaccine to protect them can be difficult. Please continue to have patience and know we are doing everything in our power to ensure we’re able to vaccinate our more than 11 million members across the country. We are continuing to have conversations with all state health departments and jurisdictions to express our willingness to acquire the vaccine and would encourage you or your government affairs teams to do the same. As your partner, we’ve created a template letter you may customize to aid in your outreach, which you can view here.

As the year moves on and we work through the CDC’s phases of distribution, we will continue to be transparent and provide updates through our weekly clinical newsletter and direct updates from myself. If you have not received the new clinical newsletter or know someone within your organization that should receive it, please let your DCO know.

Throughout 2020 we remained optimistic for a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is here, and we’re committed to standing by your side to ensure your people get, stay, and be well.

Be well,

Beth