Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Administration on Radiology Department Workflow: A Single Academic Center Experience

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kaushik Chagarlamudi, Case Western Reserve University; Amy Rutledge, Case Western Reserve University; Victoria Uram, Case Western Reserve University; Elias Kikano, Emory University; Sree H. Tirumani, Case Western Reserve University; Daniel A. Smith, Case Western Reserve University; Nikhil H. Ramaiya, Case Western Reserve University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-10-01
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 American College of Radiology.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2021.06.005
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: 1439
• End Page: 1441
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Radiology; Biology, Virology

Abstract

The advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has ushered in a new era in public health. The first COVID-19 vaccines became available for distribution in December 2020. Health care personnel were among the first eligible to receive FDA emergency use authorized COVID-19 vaccines [1]. Although mass vaccination was widely anticipated, expedited widespread vaccine rollout has presented a unique operational challenge in the workplace. There are three vaccines currently available to the public. The Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are given as two-dose series utilizing novel mRNA technology, and the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine employs a more traditional vaccine technique [2, 3, 4]. Data from multiple clinical trials studying these vaccines have demonstrated the highest incidence of side effects from the Moderna vaccine, followed by the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, respectively. Clinical trials for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines demonstrated greater local and systemic adverse reactions after the second dose of the vaccine compared with the first dose in all age groups [4]. Despite the increased adverse events, the results of these trials show promising results in preventing major complications from COVID-19. Given the necessity of protecting against developing variants, the FDA published a guidance document on future COVID-19 vaccines or booster doses [5]. These guidelines allow for a streamlined process for vaccines to receive emergency use authorization to allow for expedited access for health care and non–health care workers alike. With this, more of the population will have quicker access to subsequent booster shots, leading to a larger-scale magnification of the logistical issues with vaccination rollout in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to detail workflow disruptions after COVID-19 vaccine administration at one institution with the goal of developing a more efficient method for vaccine rollout.