NJ's Primary Care Doctors Say They're Key To Ramping Up Vaccinations But State Slow To Distribute Doses

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a plan this week to give vaccines to medical offices near the state's six vaccination megasites. But which doctors will be included and the amount of doses they'll receive is unclear. The shift comes as demand for the shot is slowing. 

But primary care doctors said they've largely been left out of the equation as the state focused on churning out as many doses as possible at mass vaccination sites.

"Getting the shots in the right arms versus just shots and arms needed to be a priority," said Claudine Leone, government affairs counsel for the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians. She said it's wrong to assume everyone who wants the shot will go anywhere to get it.

Research shows that primary care doctors can be an important resource for patients who are undecided about receiving the vaccine. Leone says that means they can play a role in reaching out to unvaccinated people, including communities of color and those most at risk of getting sick and dying.

"They have to start wondering who are the folks that aren't coming in and making the appointments? How do we find them?" she said. "I think it's identifying at least those who have a primary care physician, and letting their physician find them."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said primary care doctors have been part of the vaccine rollout, including 23 federally-funded clinics that serve underinsured and uninsured populations. Spokeswoman Dawn Thomas said a handful of large private practices have also received vaccines.

"As supply has increased, we have begun discussions with more primary care providers about what vaccines they can accommodate. The department recognizes they will be vital increasing access to vaccine," Thomas wrote in an email. 

Roughly 1,900 providers have registered with the state to begin inoculations and about 650 have received doses.