Issue 1453: October 16, 2019
TOP STORIES
- CDC issues report that 65% of pregnant women do not receive recommended Tdap and influenza vaccines to protect themselves and their newborns
- CDC posts 20-minute video about influenza vaccine storage and handling requirements and administration for the 2019–2020 season
- IAC's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives" enamel pins are now available—they make great gifts!
- It's time to order IAC’s new "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers!
- Register now! Dr. L.J Tan, IAC’s chief strategy officer, will present webinar on current issues in influenza on October 29
- CDC publishes “Update: Influenza Activity—United States and Worldwide, May 19–September 28, 2019 and Composition of the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine” in this week’s MMWR
- AAP News publishes article about why AAP recommends initiating HPV vaccination as early as age 9
- September’s Technically Speaking column by IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Wexler discusses the joint letter from AAFP, AAP, ACHA, ACOG, APhA, SAHM, and IAC that stresses the importance of implementing an immunization visit at age 16
- IAC Spotlight! IAC’s PowerPoint Slide Sets web page contains 13 presentations on a wide variety of immunization topics; available by request for your use
- Three winners of the 2019 Maurice R. Hilleman essay contest recently announced; their essays can be viewed on the Hilleman Film website
- “I Nearly Died of the Flu and It Forever Changed My Perspective on Vaccines” published on Prevention.com
- Families Fighting Flu issues three new family stories featuring adult flu survivors, Allison, Christa, and Nick
- Vaccinate Your Family posts joint letter signed by 54 organizations, urging U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to vaccinate people in custody, particularly children, against flu
- CDC publishes article about measles cases and outbreaks in the United States in 2019
- The 49th National Immunization Conference will be held in Atlanta on May 19–21; abstract submissions due December 16
IAC HANDOUTS
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
TOP STORIES
CDC issues report that 65% of pregnant women do not receive recommended Tdap and influenza vaccines to protect themselves and their newborns
On October 11, CDC published a report titled Burden and Prevention of Influenza and Pertussis Among Pregnant Women and Infants—United States as an MMWR Early Release. A few days prior, on October 8, CDC issued a press release titled Low Rates of Vaccination During Pregnancy Leave Moms, Babies Unprotected. The first three paragraphs of the press release are reprinted below.
The majority of mothers-to-be in the United States—65%—have not received two safe and effective vaccines recommended during pregnancy to reduce the risks of influenza (flu) and whooping cough (pertussis) and protect their infants and themselves, according to a new Vital Signs report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
When pregnant women are vaccinated they pass on antibodies to the fetus that provide protection after birth, during the time babies are too young to be vaccinated. Newborns who get influenza or whooping cough are at high risk of hospitalization and death.
And the benefits are not just for the babies. Pregnant women have more than double the risk of hospitalization compared to nonpregnant women of childbearing age if they get influenza. Since 2010, among women ages 15 to 44 years who were hospitalized for influenza, 24% to 34% of them were pregnant—even though only approximately 9% of U.S. women in this age group are pregnant at any given time each year.
Read CDC's press release: Low Rates of Vaccination During Pregnancy Leave Moms, Babies Unprotected.
Read CDC's Vital Signs report in MMWR: Burden and Prevention of Influenza and Pertussis Among Pregnant Women and Infants—United States (PDF format).
Visit CDC’s Vital Signs Vaccinating Pregnant Women web page.
Related Links
Back to top
CDC posts 20-minute video about influenza vaccine storage and handling requirements and administration for the 2019–2020 season
CDC posted a new 20-minute video, Influenza Update 2019–2020, to increase healthcare professionals’ knowledge of influenza vaccination and practices. This video includes information on vaccine storage and handling requirements and vaccine administration for the 2019–2020 flu season.
Continuing education (CE) credit is available. Visit Training and Continuing Education Online for more information.
Related Links
Back to top
IAC's elegantly designed "Vaccines Save Lives” enamel pins are now available—they make great gifts!
IAC has just designed an elegant new “Vaccines Save Lives” pin on hard black enamel with gold lettering and edges.
The pin is a stick-through-post variety with the back end covered by a round rubber cap that holds the pin securely. A gold metal spring-lock clasp is also provided. The pin makes a refined statement, measuring 1.125" x 0.75".
Wear these pins on clothing, uniforms, lab coats, tote bags, and backpacks to show that you value vaccines!
 
Click here for "Vaccines Save Lives" pins pricing and ordering information.
Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including enamel "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.
Back to top
It's time to order IAC’s new "FLU VACCINE" buttons and stickers!
Prepare for the 2019–20 influenza season by ordering IAC's new “FLU VACCINE” buttons and stickers. Modeled after “I Voted” stickers which are given to voters in many states as they leave the polls on Election Day, these flu vaccine buttons and stickers are bright red to help broadcast your important vaccination message. And the cost is minimal!
“FLU VACCINE” BUTTONS
The button measures 1.25" across and carries a bold message! Pin on lab coats, uniforms, other clothing, tote bags, or backpacks to show support for flu vaccine.
Buttons are delivered in bags of 10 buttons per bag.
Click here for pricing and ordering information for "FLU VACCINE" buttons.
“FLU VACCINE” STICKERS
Measuring 1.5" across and printed on Avery labels, theses stickers adhere well to clothing and have an easy-peel-off back.
Stickers are delivered to you cut individually (not on rolls)—available in bundles of 100.
Click here for pricing and ordering information for “FLU VACCINE” stickers.
Visit Shop IAC for additional items, including "Vaccines Save Lives" enamel pins, patient record cards, and a vaccine administration training video.
Back to top
Register now! Dr. L.J Tan, IAC’s chief strategy officer, will present webinar on current issues in influenza on October 29
Litjen (L.J) Tan, MS, PhD, chief strategy officer, IAC, will present a webinar titled "Current Issues in Influenza" on Tuesday, October 29, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Registration for this event is now open and a brief description is below.
Dr. Tan will discuss the 2018–2019 influenza season, some of its unique aspects, and the topic of vaccine effectiveness. He will review the importance of vaccination in preventing negative outcomes, particularly in the elderly, in those with chronic illnesses, and in the young. Finally, he will highlight new ACIP language regarding influenza vaccination and discuss messaging for the 2019–2020 season.
Register today for this engaging informational session!
Back to top
CDC publishes “Update: Influenza Activity—United States and Worldwide, May 19–September 28, 2019 and Composition of the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine” in this week’s MMWR
CDC published Update: Influenza Activity—United States and Worldwide, May 19–September 28, 2019 and Composition of the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine in the October 11 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.
Low levels of influenza activity were reported in the United States over summer 2019, with cocirculation of influenza A and influenza B viruses. In early October 2019, it is too early in the season to know which viruses will circulate in the U.S. later this fall and winter or how severe the season may be. Regardless of what is circulating, the best protection against influenza is a flu vaccination. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against flu. As the 2019–2020 flu season begins, CDC is reporting influenza activity in the United States and the Southern Hemisphere during the U.S. summer months and the vaccine viruses selected for the 2020 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines. During the summer months in the U.S., influenza activity remained low as is typical for that time of year. Influenza A and B viruses circulated widely in the Southern Hemisphere with the predominant virus varying by region and country. While influenza is unpredictable and circumstances can change very quickly, data to date continue to support the appropriateness of the recommended composition of the vaccines for the upcoming 2019–2020 season in the United States.
Access the complete report: Update: Influenza Activity—United States and Worldwide, May 19–September 28, 2019 and Composition of the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine
Related Link
- MMWR main page provides access to MMWR Weekly, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, and MMWR Supplements
Back to top
AAP News publishes article about why AAP recommends initiating HPV vaccination as early as age 9
On October 4, AAP News published an article titled Why AAP Recommends Initiating HPV Vaccination as Early as Age 9. The fourth paragraph of the article is reprinted below.
“The AAP recommendation, which was introduced in the 2018–2021 Red Book, is as follows: “The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend routine HPV vaccination for females and males. The AAP recommends starting the series between 9 and 12 years, at an age that the provider deems optimal for acceptance and completion of the vaccination series.”
To read the article explaining why AAP issued this recommendation for younger children, see the complete AAP News article.
Reprinted with permission of AAP News, October 2019.
Back to top
September’s Technically Speaking column by IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Wexler discusses the joint letter from AAFP, AAP, ACHA, ACOG, APhA, SAHM,
and IAC that stresses the importance of implementing an immunization visit at
age 16
Technically Speaking is a monthly column written by IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Wexler for Vaccine Update, a monthly e-newsletter from the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The column covers practical topics in immunization, such as vaccine administration, immunization scheduling, vaccine storage and handling, and vaccine recommendations.
September's column is titled "Dear Colleague" Call-to-Action Letter from AAFP, AAP, ACHA, ACOG, APhA, SAHM, and IAC Stresses Importance of Implementing Immunization Visit at 16 Years of Age and is available on IAC’s Technically Speaking web section.
Read the Dear Colleague letter from AAFP, AAP, ACHA, ACOG, APhA, SAHM and IAC in PDF format.
You can access the current and past issues of Technically Speaking in the following ways: from a box in the middle of the immunize.org home page, from the "Guide to immunize.org" at the bottom of every web page, or by going directly to the www.immunize.org/technically-speaking main page.
Related Links
Back to top
IAC Spotlight! IAC’s PowerPoint Slide Sets web page contains 13 presentations on a wide variety of immunization topics; available by request for your use
IAC's PowerPoint Slide Sets web page on immunize.org contains 13 presentations on a variety of immunization topics. These slides are available for your use "as is" or you can modify them to suit your organization's needs. Some of the slide sets include speaker’s notes. Currently the 13 slide sets are available for viewing online in a 6-slide-per-page handout format. The titles and links to the handout-formatted slides are listed below.
To request any of the PowerPoint format slide sets, go to IAC's PowerPoint Slide Sets web page. Just below the presentation's title and description, click on "Request the PowerPoint slide set" and an email request form for the PowerPoint presentation will appear. Complete the form, and hit “send.” Once you have submitted your request, we will send you the presentation and, when available, the speaker’s notes. You can edit and use the slides as you see fit. If you change the slides in any way, please acknowledge that the slide set was adapted from the Immunization Action Coalition.
Visit the IAC's PowerPoint Slide Sets web page on immunize.org to access and begin utilizing these valuable slide sets today!
Back to top
Three winners of the 2019 Maurice R. Hilleman essay contest recently announced; their essays can be viewed on the Hilleman Film website
Parents PACK (Possessing, Accessing, and Communicating Knowledge about vaccines) from the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers an electronic newsletter for parents.
The October issue features information about the 2019 Maurice R. Hilleman essay contest winners. An article from the Vaccine News & Notes section of the newsletter about the award is reprinted below.
The winners of the 2019 Maurice R. Hilleman essay contest recently traveled to Philadelphia to accept their awards, learn about work at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and share their essays. Students who entered the contest answered the question, “How would the world be different if Dr. Hilleman did not live the life he did?” in honor of the 100th birthday of the most prolific vaccine inventor in history. Dr. Hilleman helped to create more than half of the routinely recommended childhood vaccines; his efforts are estimated to save about 8 million lives every year.
Related Links
Back to top
“I Nearly Died of the Flu and It Forever Changed My Perspective on Vaccines” published on Prevention.com
Prevention.com published I Nearly Died of the Flu and It Forever Changed My Perspective on Vaccines, telling the story of Rosalind Schell, a 51-year-old woman from Australia, who survived a 25-day hospitalization, including a medically induced coma in the ICU, pneumonia, and a grand mal seizure, in her battle with influenza. The first and last two paragraphs of the article are reprinted below.
Last year, just before my 52nd birthday, I got the flu and spent more than a week in a medically induced coma. The doctors couldn’t promise my husband that I’d survive. I was so sick that I ended up staying in the hospital for 25 days.
The thing is, before this happened to me, I didn’t think the flu was a big deal. I’d never even gotten a flu shot. As an international flight attendant for almost 30 years, I’d flown all over the world and had never come down with a bad illness before. I thought I was indestructible. But I was wrong....
...I couldn’t wait to get my flu shot this past April. I also got the pneumonia vaccine. I’ve never been so happy to get two injections. They made me a lot more confident about my health.
Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have thought about getting vaccinated if this hadn’t happened to me. But once you’ve gone through what I did, it’s a big whack on the head. It was brutal. Now I’m a convert. I’ll be getting the flu shot forever.
Read the article in its entirety: I Nearly Died of the Flu and It Forever Changed My Perspective on Vaccines.
According to the Prevention.com website, the online publication reaches more than 5 million monthly users, and a highly engaged social media audience of more than 3 million.
Back to top
Families Fighting Flu issues three new family stories featuring adult flu survivors, Allison, Christa, and Nick
Families Fighting Flu continues its storytelling campaign with the emotional stories of families whose lives have been permanently altered by the flu. Three new stories have been added, featuring adult flu survivors.
A description of the Families Fighting Flu: Family Stories web section is reprinted below.
Our family stories put a face on the flu and illustrate why we’re so driven in our mission. Influenza does not discriminate, and can be a serious—and even deadly—disease for children, adults, and seniors. Our emotional family stories recount how our lives have been permanently altered by flu. A diverse range of families from across the U.S. and other countries have been brought together by the tragic loss of a loved one from flu or by a loved one who has experienced serious medical complications from the virus—families who have banded together to heal and work together to ensure that this tragedy does not happen to other families.
Watch any of the videos, including the three new stories, by going to the Families Fighting Flu: Family Stories web section.
Back to top
Vaccinate Your Family posts joint letter signed by 54 organizations, urging U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to vaccinate people in custody, particularly children, against flu
On October 7, Vaccinate Your Family and 54 organizations representing nearly half of the states in the U.S. sent a letter to federal leaders asking U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to vaccinate people, particularly children, in their custody against influenza. The signed letter was delivered to Acting Secretary McAleenan, Secretary Azar, Director Redfield, and Surgeon General Adams via email. It was also shared with select reporters and Congressional offices.
Selections from this call-to-action letter are reprinted below.
Dear Acting Secretary McAleenan, Secretary Azar, Director Redfield, and Surgeon General Adams:
As organizations representing medical professionals, the public health community and individuals who are immunocompromised, we are writing to urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its decision to not vaccinate families in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against influenza (flu). The deaths of three children in CBP custody from influenza have been deeply troubling and immunizing these families against influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases would help prevent additional tragedies....
...With the official start of the new flu season rapidly approaching and cases of the disease already being reported throughout the country, the CDC is recommending everyone over the age of six months get vaccinated by the end of October if possible. In order for vaccines to effectively stop the spread of disease in the U.S., however, we must ensure all people within our borders are fully vaccinated according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations.
For all these reasons and many more, the presence of pediatricians, primary care physicians, pediatric nurses and other health professionals who regularly treat children is vital to ensuring proper immunizations and care. Therefore, we strongly urge you to allow pediatric health professionals, as well as general healthcare professionals, greater access to children and adults detained in CBP facilities.
Experts have raised serious concerns about the risks of detention, particularly on children. We urge you not to compound these risks by failing to immunize those in detention from potentially fatal diseases, such as flu.
Access the complete letter to federal leaders asking U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to vaccinate people in custody against influenza.
Back to top
CDC publishes article about measles cases and outbreaks in the United States in 2019
CDC published National Update on Measles Cases and Outbreaks—United States, January 1–October 1, 2019 in the October 11 issue of MMWR. On October 4, 2019, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release. The beginning of the first paragraph is reprinted below.
During January 1–October 1, 2019, a total of 1,249 measles cases and 22 measles outbreaks were reported in the United States. This represents the most U.S. cases reported in a single year since 1992, and the second highest number of reported outbreaks annually since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Measles is an acute febrile rash illness with an attack rate of approximately 90% in susceptible household contacts. Domestic outbreaks can occur when travelers contract measles outside the United States and subsequently transmit infection to unvaccinated persons they expose in the United States. Among the 1,249 measles cases reported in 2019, 1,163 (93%) were associated with the 22 outbreaks, 1,107 (89%) were in patients who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, and 119 (10%) measles patients were hospitalized. Closely related outbreaks in New York City (NYC) and New York State (NYS; excluding NYC), with ongoing transmission for nearly 1 year in large and close-knit Orthodox Jewish communities, accounted for 934 (75%) cases during 2019 and threatened the elimination status of measles in the United States. Robust responses in NYC and NYS were effective in controlling transmission before the 1-year mark; however, continued vigilance for additional cases within these communities is essential to determine whether elimination has been sustained....
Access the complete report: National Update on Measles Cases and Outbreaks—United States, January 1–October 1, 2019.
Related Link
- MMWR main page provides access to MMWR Weekly, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, and MMWR Supplements
Back to top
The 49th National Immunization Conference will be held in Atlanta on May 19–21; abstract submissions due December 16
The 49th National Immunization Conference (NIC) will be held May 19–21 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, GA. NIC brings together more than 1,500 local, state, federal, and private-sector immunization stakeholders and partners to explore science, policy, education, and planning issues related to immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Registration for the conference is now open.
CDC will be accepting abstract submissions from October 1–December 16. Visit NIC Abstract Information for details on the conference themes and for instructions on submitting an abstract.
Visit the National Immunization Conference web page for more information about conference and hotel registration, fees, and more.
Back to top
IAC HANDOUTS
IAC updates 12 of its popular easy-to-read Q&A handouts on vaccines given to infants and children
IAC recently updated 12 popular one-page handouts for parents posted on its Easy-to-Read Q&As web page. Specifically developed to be short and simple, the handouts emphasize the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Links to each information sheet and a description of the changes made to them are included below. All of the handouts have been recently reviewed; only a few have had updates to their content.
Related Links
IAC's Handouts for Patients & Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public more than 250 FREE English-language handouts (many also available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely.
Back to top
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
IAC posts 14 translations of CDC’s two newly issued influenza VISs
On August 15, CDC released two new influenza vaccine VISs, one for injectable influenza vaccine (inactivated and recombinant) and the other for intranasal influenza vaccine.
IAC recently posted translations of both VISs in Armenian, Farsi, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, and Tagalog.
IAC thanks the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, for generously providing the translations.
Influenza, inactivated or recombinant VIS translations:
Influenza, live intranasal VIS translations:
Related Links
Back to top
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NIH forms new collaborative influenza vaccine research network to develop more durable, broadly protective, and longer-lasting influenza vaccines
On September 30, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a press release titled NIH Forms New Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Research Network. The first two paragraphs of the NIH press release are reprinted below.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has initiated the Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVICs) program, a new network of research centers that will work together in a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort to develop more durable, broadly protective and longer-lasting influenza vaccines. NIAID will provide up to approximately $51 million in total first-year funding for the program, which is designed to support the CIVICs program centers over seven years.
“To more effectively fight influenza on a global scale, we need better influenza vaccines that are more broadly protective,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “With the CIVICs program we hope to encourage an exchange of ideas, technology and scientific results across multiple institutions to facilitate a more efficient and coordinated approach to novel influenza vaccine development.”
Access the entire press release: NIH Forms New Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Research Network.
Back to top
HHS is seeking stakeholder input on the 2020 National Vaccine Plan; comments are due October 24
The National Vaccine Plan (NVP) is the nation’s leading roadmap for enhancing all aspects of the U.S. vaccine and immunization system. To ensure the NVP remains nimble to the evolving vaccine and immunization landscape, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking stakeholder input on the development of the 2020 National Vaccine Plan. View the Request for Information about the NVP and submit your comments before 5:00 p.m. (ET) on October 24.
Back to top
FEATURED RESOURCES
IAC's comprehensive Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide is available for free download either by chapter or in its entirety (142 pages)
In late 2017, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) announced the publication of its new book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).
This completely updated "how to" guide on adult immunization provides easy-to-use, practical information covering essential adult immunization activities. It helps vaccine providers enhance their existing adult immunization services or introduce them into any clinical setting. Topics include:
- setting up for vaccination services,
- storing and handling vaccines,
- deciding which people should receive which vaccines,
- administering vaccines,
- documenting vaccinations (including legal issues), and
- understanding financial considerations and billing information.
In addition, the Guide is filled with hundreds of web addresses and references to help providers stay up to date on the latest immunization information, both now and in the future.
The Guide is available to download/print either by chapter or in its entirety free of charge at www.immunize.org/guide. The downloaded version is suitable for double-sided printing. The National Vaccine Program Office and CDC both supported the development of the Guide and provided early technical review.
The Guide is a uniquely valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult immunization rates. Be sure to get a copy today!
Related Links
Back to top
Influenza season has begun; be sure all your patients are getting vaccinated!
Influenza season is now beginning, and CDC expects flu activity to remain low but increase in the coming weeks. Visit the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, for details.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services.
Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public:
Back to top
The Washington Post creates three new videos called “The Vaccines Project” which answer common vaccine-related questions
On September 5, The Washington Post released “The Vaccines Project,” a series of three video episodes addressing common questions about vaccines. In an accompanying article titled Five Surprising Moments in Vaccine History, science and health journalist Ann Rothschild wrote the following:
When I set out to make a video series about vaccines, I didn’t know just how much history I would uncover. I figured this would be a straightforward science story that answered some of the big questions that worry parents. Questions such as “Why is there aluminum in vaccines?” and “Is it dangerous to give my kid so many shots at one time?”
Visit The Vaccines Project: An Original Series from The Washington Post for more information. The three available episodes are highlighted below.
Back to top
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
The journal Vaccine publishes “Billing and Payment of Commercial and Medicaid Health Plan Adult Vaccination Claims in Michigan since the Affordable Care Act”
The journal Vaccine published Billing and Payment of Commercial and Medicaid Health Plan Adult Vaccination Claims in Michigan since the Affordable Care Act, by R.M. Goodman, et al., in its October 23 issue. The abstract is reprinted below.
Background
Provider concern regarding insurance non-payment for vaccines is a common barrier to provision of adult immunizations. We examined current adult vaccination billing and payment associated with two managed care populations to identify reasons for non-payment of immunization insurance claims.
Methods
We assessed administrative data from 2014 to 2015 from Blue Care Network of Michigan, a nonprofit health maintenance organization, and Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, a Medicaid managed care plan, to determine rates of and reasons for non-payment of adult vaccination claims across patient-care settings, insurance plans, and vaccine types. We compared commercial and Medicaid payment rates to Medicare payment rates and examined patient cost sharing.
Results
Pharmacy-submitted claims for adult vaccine doses were almost always paid (commercial 98.5%; Medicaid 100%). As the physician office accounted for the clear majority (79% commercial; 69% Medicaid) of medical (non-pharmacy) vaccination services, we limited further analyses of both commercial and Medicaid medical claims to the physician office setting. In the physician office setting, rates of payment were high with commercial rates of payment (97.9%) greater than Medicaid rates (91.6%). Reasons for non-payment varied, but generally related to the complexity of adult vaccine recommendations (patient diagnosis does not match recommendations) or insurance coverage (complex contracts, multiple insurance payers). Vaccine administration services were also generally paid. Commercial health plan payments were greater for both vaccine dose and vaccine administration than Medicare payments; Medicaid paid a higher amount for the vaccine dose, but less for vaccine administration than Medicare. Patients generally had very low (commercial) or no (Medicaid) cost-sharing for vaccination.
Conclusions
Adult vaccine dose claims were usually paid. Medicaid generally had higher rates of non-payment than commercial insurance.
Read the full article: Billing and Payment of Commercial and Medicaid Health Plan Adult Vaccination Claims in Michigan Since the Affordable Care Act.
Back to top
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Hepatitis B Foundation and Hep B United offer webinar on initiatives to prevent hepatitis B and liver cancer on October 21
The Hepatitis B Foundation and Hep B United will present a webinar titled "National and State Initiatives to Prevent Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer" on October 21 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).
Three speakers will discuss liver cancer and its risk factors, as well as promising state-based initiatives and strategies for liver cancer prevention: Behnoosh Momin, DrPH, MS, MPH, health scientist, CDC Division of Cancer Prevention and Control; Charlene Cariou, MHS, CPH, CHES, health program manager, Comprehensive Cancer Control, Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare; and Jacki Chen, #justB storyteller and patient advocate.
Registration information
Related Links
New Medscape CE program titled "Case-by-Case: Preventing MenB Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults" now available online
In September, Medscape posted a new online training program titled Case-by-Case: Preventing MenB Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults (you must register with Medscape to access the online training). The presenter is Gary S. Marshall, MD, professor of pediatrics, and chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine.
The goal of this program is to improve clinicians' competence in administering the serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine according to current recommendations and schedules. This activity is intended for pediatricians, primary care physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, pharmacists, and nurses.
If you are not a registered user on Medscape, you can register for free and get unlimited access to all Medscape features, including continuing education activities.
Back to top
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
Tune in to CDC's ACIP meeting October 23–24 (Wednesday and Thursday) via live webcast
Tune in to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting in Atlanta on October 23 and 24 (Wednesday and Thursday) via live webcast. Instructions on how to participate in the meeting via live webcast or phone will be posted on the ACIP Meeting Information web page.
Related Links
Back to top
Immunize Ohio hosts 2019 Statewide Immunization Conference on November 6
Immunize Ohio will host the 2019 Statewide Immunization Conference on November 6 at the Galaxy in Wadsworth, OH. Noteworthy speakers include Gary Marshall, MD, author of The Vaccine Handbook, and Ethan Lindenberger, a young adult vaccine advocate raised by an anti-vaccine mom, who later sought out information publicly about how to get the vaccines recommended for him.
Registration for the conference is now open and the agenda is posted on the Immunize Ohio web page.
Back to top
Reminder: National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships will take place November 13–15 in Honolulu
The 14th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) will take place in beautiful Honolulu from November 13–15. Conference attendees will learn from expert speakers and network with members of immunization coalitions from around the nation.
Keynote speakers will include Nancy Messonnier, MD, director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, and Erica DeWald, directory of advocacy, Vaccinate Your Family. The conference will also include 40 breakout sessions, as well as research and coalition posters.
Click on the graphic below for more information about the conference, including registration.
Back to top
|
|
