Ok, then why optometrists? Because they’re already in the insurance network? Since anyone can do it, let’s train the insurance guys. Cut out the middle man.
Where are you getting that from?
It would be better to confirm this before arguing about it.
good point!
(But I’ve done both subcutaneous and intramuscular injections in mice, and I, too, would be comfortable with most anyone giving me either of those, if they had steady hands and a few minutes of training.)
Not anything to do with optometrists, but you might be surprised how many people develop shaky hands when jabbing a needle into a fellow human. Lol. Actually physically handling people every day builds a different mindset.
It appears that some optometrists and opticians may be involved in vaccination programs in the UK, with some already having received training from nurse practitioners.
I haven’t found anything specific about the US.
Wrong link, I think.
Anyway, maybe there’s some good logistics reason for the idea but it’s kinda “wtf?” on the face of it.
Fixed.
Optometrists actually have four years of advanced training beyond a BS, which includes prescribing drugs and dealing with patients. Opticians have much less training, but at least are trained to deal people in a professional setting.
I get it to a degree but there’s dozens of other medical offices that already have people trained to do shots. But thinking about it, this shuffles people away from clinics and pharmacies. Probably not super busy at the opticians these days.
And of course dentists inject lidocaine and then shove a drill into your mouth, which they need to handle extremely precisely. My dentist is careful, dextrous, and gentle, and would be terrific at giving simple injections like an intramuscular vaccine
Here’s a story from NBC about the possibility of dentists and optometrists being authorized to administer covid vaccines.
As discussed, it makes perfect sense for dentists to administer injections, since they do so anyway. Optometrists at least have training in dealing with patients in a quasi-medical setting, and can prescribe some medications.
Around 600,000,000 injections will need to be given in order to vaccinate most of the US population (since two are required for each person), so it’s probably not a bad idea to have additional capacity.
Yes, probably need extra people. Remember though, 600M is a lot but it’s not all at once - it’s two rounds. Last year, America doled out 175M flu shots. So this is having to sorta double that capacity. I’m surprised that requires recruiting professionals that don’t already have injections as part of their normal scope of practice.
It may not just be additional personnel but additional locations. Being able to get the vaccine at your dentist’s office or optometrist could relieve crowding or wait times at pharmacies, clinics, and other locations.
Your article mentions that the optometrist professional organizations are pushing for it but also doesn’t list them being recruited in past big immunization drives, unlike dentists. And if it’s about space, why not just send some nursing students to their space rather than expand optometrists scope of practice? I mean, this might seem nitpicky but scope of practice is actually pretty important and a product of a lot of study and argument. It doesn’t quite sit right with me.
And their families? One of the biggest concerns about keeping LTC residents locked up is the severe damage to their mental health. They need to see their families. Vaccinating only the carers doesn’t do anything to help that situation.
FTR, here in the UK, the talk is of vaccinating residents AND carers at the same time.
One of the reasons they are desperate to see their families is because all normal social interaction at their residence is shut down. Frankly, being able to leave your room for activities and having communal meals is a lot more important than family visits.
Eta: that’s not directly arguing against your point but it could be more realistic to immunize staff, depending on how great these vaccines work on the elderly.
They do that already - my MIL is in a care home. Social interaction is only curtailed when there’s an outbreak. And I also know that interaction with family is the only thing my MIL cares about. She is, quite literally, going out of her mind right now.
A pretty large portion of these people don’t get regular visits covid or not.
Your evidence for this is? Because that isn’t my experience at all. Very few residents don’t get visitors, most have families who, you know, still love them.
So you may quibble about “large portion” but 40% don’t get weekly visits, 16% get no family visits.
I should also point out that this might not be super true. It might be the only concern she communicates to you but your MIL has problems if her daily interactions are meaningless.