News Releases

ODH Shares Resources, Including Key Messages for Patients, on COVID-19 Treatments

As major vaccine manufacturers, including Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, are working on vaccines to better protect against the COVID-19 Omicron variants, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reminded providers of the treatments now available that can keep those at the highest risk for severe illness from being hospitalized.

“Ohio has built a strong infrastructure of providers for oral antiviral pills and monoclonal antibodies that includes hospitals, federally qualified health centers, retail pharmacies, and long-term care pharmacies across the state,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, in a letter to providers. “The Ohio Department of Health asks healthcare providers across the state to help increase awareness of these life-saving treatments and help patients understand how they can access those treatments quickly if eligible.”

ODH has compiled important information and resources about COVID-19 treatments for providers as well as for the general public at coronavirus.ohio.gov in the COVID-19 Testing and Treatment section. In addition, the department shared in its letter to providers some key messages that can be used for communicating with patients about available treatments as well as a number of other resources, including a link to a webinar about oral antivirals, and specifically Paxlovid, produced by the Ohio Hospital Association featuring experts from around the state, including Dr. Steven Gordon, chairman of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic.

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