The SCMA has been busy working with state officials and stakeholders to prepare for when a COIVD-19 vaccine is available.  On behalf of the SCMA, several physicians have volunteered their time to attend meetings and review proposed materials as our state prepares for a potential vaccine release. The SCMA works hard to provide a seat at the table for physicians, and it want to acknowledge how grateful we are for the hard working physicians who donate their time to fill these seats and provide clinical knowledge.  Below are several key items physicians should be aware of as this process moves forward.

First, on October 16, 2020, South Carolina submitted its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read the plan here. Frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinations can be found here.

Second, the federal Vaccines and Related Biological Product Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) is prepared to review potential vaccinations, and it is possible that a vaccine will be reviewed in early December.  To prepare, Dr. Linda Bell, MD, State Epidemiologist, has gathered a South Carolina COVID Vaccine Advisory Committee that is working on plans to distribute any vaccines on behalf of South Carolina.  The SCMA has a physician representative included.  The Committee is working hard to ensure a fair, equitable and evidence-based approach is used.  The SCMA will communicate information on vaccine prioritization before a vaccine is available.

Three, the SCMA, as part of the Clinical Leadership Council, has worked on guidance to help healthcare professionals determine how best to distribute the vaccine when it is ready.  Click here to see vaccine guidance for healthcare professionals in South Carolina from the Clinical Leadership Council.

Fourth, in preparation for distribution, of the vaccine, physicians can enroll in the vaccine distribution program.  Please see the important letter below from Linda Bell, MD, State Epidemiologist regarding the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Program Enrollment and how to effectively enroll.
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Physicians from around the state share their insights related to COVID-19 as we work together to slow the spread of Coronavirus in South Carolina. Click here to check out the most recent blog posts by SCMA President, Michael T. Finch Jr., MD and Elizabeth Mack, MD, Medical Director, MUSC Health.

The AMA recently provided information that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and two additional federal agencies warned of an “imminent cybercrime threat” to US hospitals and health care providers.  With COVID-19, cybercriminals are aiming at health care providers and public health agencies with ransomware for financial gain.  If you are not familiar with this, a company takes over your computer systems and demands a ransom in order for you to access the information, which can include patient records.  The AMA urged hospitals, physician practices, and public health organizations to take precautions.  The FBI and other agencies recommended several steps, which the AMA distilled to the following:

• Patch operating systems, software, and firmware as soon as manufacturers release updates.
• Regularly change passwords to network systems and accounts and avoid reusing passwords for different accounts.
• Use multi-factor authentication where possible.
  • Disallow use of personal email accounts
• Disable unused remote access/Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) ports and monitor remote access/RDP logs.
• Identify critical assets; create backups of these systems and house the backups offline from the network.
• Set antivirus and anti-malware solutions to automatically update; conduct regular scans.

The American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have created two resources to help physicians and hospitals guard against cyber threats. Those resources and additional cyber security information can be found at the AMA’s cybersecurity webpage.

The SCMA takes this opportunity to remind you that when you are at home reviewing patient information, you must have a firewall and anti-malware software to protect this access point to data.  Most internet access modems and routers have built in firewalls, but not anti-malware that is subscription based and updated automatically, such as Netgear Nighthawk.  And, be careful when you are not behind a firewall, such as using public access in a Starbucks or at the airport.  If you are interested in learning more about Cyber Liability Insurance, contact your Fulcrum Risk Solutions Representative Jimmy Cannizzaro to learn about such insurance products.