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Moving the Curve: Influenza Vaccination. Barry S. Lachman, MD, MPH Medical Director 11/4/2011. The Issue. Vaccine utilization rates remain low The ACIP has endorsed universal vaccination Influenza has a high impact on Medicaid STAR plans in the first quarter of every year
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Moving the Curve: Influenza Vaccination Barry S. Lachman, MD, MPH Medical Director 11/4/2011
The Issue • Vaccine utilization rates remain low • The ACIP has endorsed universal vaccination • Influenza has a high impact on Medicaid STAR plans in the first quarter of every year • Influenza poses an increased risk in pregnant women • Cocooning has been proposed as a strategy to improve protection against disease spread
Pregnant Women and Children under Age 1 • Influenza poses increased risk in pregnant women • Influenza has an increased risk in children under one year • Influenza vaccine cannot be given under on six months • Vaccination of pregnant women has been shown to lower risk in their children under a year • Influenza vaccine is safe during pregnancy • OB providers often do not provide immunizations
Targeted Populations • Pregnant women and their children under one year • Children under 18 • Parents and other household members
PCHP Response:PregnantWomen • Produce a brochure in collaboration with Merck Vaccines to promote immunization of pregnant women for pertussis and influenza • Provide the brochure to offices of community ob providers in the Parkland Community Health Plan • Medical Director academic detailing to high volume community providers on vaccination during pregnancy • Parkland Hospital which accounts for 2/3 of PHCP 22,000 deliveries per year (1:1000 US births!) routinely offers pertussis and influenza vaccine
PCHP Response: Children • Expansion of the partnership with Pfizer Vaccines to use Televox automated calls and reminder cards for immunization from present 12-18 month olds to all children in PCHP under age 5 • Working on developing a similar partnership for children over age 5 with another vaccine manufacturer
PCHP Response: Adult Cocooning • The issue – many parents of PCHP members are uninsured • Possible response – provide vaccine vouchers to parents of PCHP members • Barrier – Rules on use of Medicaid funds for non members • PCHP is exploring this strategy further
Contact Information For further information contact Barry S. Lachman, MD, MPH, Medical Director PCHP Barry.lachman@phhs.org 214-266-2104