It is not uncommon for patients to ask doctors or practice staff about the vaccination status of the team. Indeed, more than half of the respondents (53 percent) to a recent Women In Optometry Pop-up Poll said that they are getting this question “once in a while” and 12 percent said they are asked “quite often.” More than a quarter (28 percent) said that patients do not or rarely ask about vaccination status.

For some, the frequency of this question seems to be waning, with 7 percent saying they heard the question more frequently earlier. However, nearly 5 percent said they have begun hearing it more frequently recently.

Overall, two-thirds of the respondents, 66 percent, said that they volunteer their own vaccination status if asked. Indeed, some use it as a marketing tool. One male OD responded, “I have my vaccination card blown up and attached to the wall so anyone can see it.” One female OD wrote, “We are very forthcoming about our complete office vaccination status and promote it.”

More than a third of respondents (35 percent) said they relay the safety protocols the office used without revealing specific employee information. However, a number of these respondents also said that they will volunteer their own vaccination status, especially if asked directly. About 10 percent of respondents reported that they did not and will not volunteer their vaccination status to patients.

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