COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is always here as a partner in caring for children in Columbus and beyond and keeping them safe and healthy. As our community has battled the COVID-19 virus, we have remained open, providing essential care to families.
At the forefront of patient care, we know families turn to you for support and reassurance before looking anywhere else. We value our partnership and continue to rely on our community partners throughout this pandemic.
View the updated content below to access COVID-19 resources for both your practice and your patient families.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Nationwide Children’s offers all stages of the COVID-19 vaccine (first, second and third doses and boosters, as defined by Ohio Department of Health guidelines) for all children aged 6 months to 18 in our school-based clinics at several Columbus City Schools. Current Nationwide Children’s primary care network patients can receive the COVID vaccine with their pediatrician.
Children under 5 years old will receive the Moderna vaccine and ages 5-18 will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
View a list of school-based clinic locations here. Patients can call (614) 355-2590 to schedule an appointment.
For more information about COVID vaccine providers in your area, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations | COVID-19 (ohio.gov).
Access Vaccine Resources & Scheduling Information for Patient Families
COVID-19 Testing Update
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital drive-through COVID-19 testing center (POD) closed April 29, 2022.
Testing Options For Patients:
- At home testing kits for patients 2 years and older (when collected by an adult).
- Authorized at-home over the counter tests are available without a prescription and are typically available online or at local retailers.
- Through community testing centers: Test to Treat locations and community health centers
- At primary care physician (PCP) offices
For Patients Who Require a COVID PCR Test, or Who Need a FARVPP (Respiratory Panel):
We encourage community practices to collect samples in their office and send to Laboratory Services via courier. Patients can also drop off the collected sample at a Nationwide Children's Hospital Close To Home (CTH) Lab location. Samples CANNOT be collected at CTH Lab locations.
- For collection: NP Swab in viral media
- Samples are good at room temp for 4 hours.
- Samples are good if refrigerated for 3 days.
- Turn-around time is typically less than one day.
COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies
COVID-19 Therapies
Treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 is available for patients who are at least 28 days old, weigh at least 3 kg, and are at high risk for progression to severe disease. Data evaluating the use of pharmacologic therapies in non-hospitalized children are limited; the risks and benefits of therapy should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. At Nationwide Children’s, treatment is available for patients who have risk factors for progression to severe disease (see link below). Patients eligible for therapy will receive oral antiviral (Paxlovid: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) or IV remdesivir depending on eligibility.
To Refer a Patient: If you think your patient may meet criteria, please call Physician Direct Connect, our 24-hour physician/provider consult-transfer center, at (614) 355-0221 or 1 (877) 355-0221 and ask to speak to an Infectious Disease (ID) specialist to make a referral.
Review Interim Guidance and Eligibility
Review Summary Table - Outpatient Therapies
Pulmonary COVID-19 Clinic
Nationwide Children’s Pulmonary COVID-19 Clinic comprehensively evaluates postacute COVID-19 syndrome pulmonary symptoms (Long-COVID pulmonary symptoms) in pediatric patients.
- Candidates: Pediatric patients >8 years with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome pulmonary symptoms for at least one month after initial infection date. Athletes and non-athletes welcomed.
- Symptoms: Typical post-acute COVID-19 syndrome pulmonary symptoms include shortness of breath (resting or with activity), cough, wheezing, chest/throat pain and decreased exercise capacity.
- Referrals: Please refer to pulmonary medicine with Pulm-COVID clinic in the referral description.
Long COVID-19 Symptoms
Providers seeking referrals or follow up for patients with long COVID-19 symptoms should call Physician Direct Connect, the 24-hour physician/provider consult-transfer center, at (614) 355-0221 or 1 (877) 355-0221.
Return to Play After COVID-19 Infection
There is new evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may affect the heart more than other viruses and has the potential to cause myocarditis. One way to test for myocarditis is with a cardiac MRI.
While there is some emerging information that shows evidence of myocarditis on the MRIs of college athletes, we do not know for certain what this means in terms of actual risk of sudden death. However, in those who had significant symptoms with their COVID-19, the risk is likely higher than those who were asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic.
Resources for Community Practices
COVID Distribution Toolkit
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccine Team is eager to support community practices as they embark on vaccination efforts for kids in our region.
If the Nationwide Children’s team can help with answering any questions, you can email
COVID-19VaccineQuestions@NationwideChildrens.org. If you find yourself needing a more immediate answer to a question that we can help answer, please contact us.
Michael Storey, PharmD, MS
Medication Use Strategist
Office: (614) 722-2117
Mobile: (814) 282-7500
Jenna M. Merandi, Pharm.D., MS, CPPS
Medication Safety Officer
Office: (614) 722-2092
Mobile: (304) 677-1025
Weekly Respiratory Report
Access local respiratory pathogens data, including RSV, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and more.
Download Weekly Pathogens Report
COVID-19 Resources for Families
Our COVID-19 page for families offers vaccine resources, testing information and more. Vaccine resources for families are available for download in multiple languages below.
COVID-19 Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know
COVID-19 Vaccine: Fast Facts
