Few Adults Get Needed Shots

[Guest guest]

CDC 12-30-10

UNITED STATES: " Few Adults Get Needed Shots "

Los Angeles Times (12.13.10):: s

In the United States, about 90 percent of kids receive the vaccines they need,

due to federal programs and other subsidy efforts. However, things change at

adulthood. Though increasing in recent years, the adult vaccination rate remains

low, new CDC data show. The new health care law should correct that, but gaps

exist.

" The moment we cross the threshold of the 19th birthday, the system is

uncoordinated, meager, and it turns out, quite unsatisfactory, " said Dr.

Schaffner, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Vaccines against hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, pneumonia, and

shingles are among those recommended for adults. In 2009, just 17.1 percent of

women ages 19-26 had received even the first of three doses needed for

vaccination against HPV, CDC found. Among adults ages 19-49, 9.8 percent had

been vaccinated against hepatitis A. For those at high risk of infection,

hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 43.2 percent among non-Hispanic whites and

43.6 percent for non-Hispanic blacks.

As part of health care reform, new health plans must provide full coverage for

vaccinations recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Medicaid eligibility will expand to cover vaccinations in adults with incomes up

to 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($14,404 in 2010). However, those

already enrolled in Medicaid will not have such coverage under the law, said

Sara Rosenbaum, chair of the department of health policy at Washington

University's school of public health.

Medicare beneficiaries will have certain preventive coverage starting in 2011,

mostly under the Part D prescription drug program. But that could entail

coordinating visits to the pharmacy and then to a physician to get vaccinated,

one expert said. Medicare access barriers are under study by the comptroller

general, with a report due by June 1.

[Guest guest]

CDC 12-30-10

UNITED STATES: " Few Adults Get Needed Shots "

Los Angeles Times (12.13.10):: s

In the United States, about 90 percent of kids receive the vaccines they need,

due to federal programs and other subsidy efforts. However, things change at

adulthood. Though increasing in recent years, the adult vaccination rate remains

low, new CDC data show. The new health care law should correct that, but gaps

exist.

" The moment we cross the threshold of the 19th birthday, the system is

uncoordinated, meager, and it turns out, quite unsatisfactory, " said Dr.

Schaffner, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Vaccines against hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, pneumonia, and

shingles are among those recommended for adults. In 2009, just 17.1 percent of

women ages 19-26 had received even the first of three doses needed for

vaccination against HPV, CDC found. Among adults ages 19-49, 9.8 percent had

been vaccinated against hepatitis A. For those at high risk of infection,

hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 43.2 percent among non-Hispanic whites and

43.6 percent for non-Hispanic blacks.

As part of health care reform, new health plans must provide full coverage for

vaccinations recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Medicaid eligibility will expand to cover vaccinations in adults with incomes up

to 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($14,404 in 2010). However, those

already enrolled in Medicaid will not have such coverage under the law, said

Sara Rosenbaum, chair of the department of health policy at Washington

University's school of public health.

Medicare beneficiaries will have certain preventive coverage starting in 2011,

mostly under the Part D prescription drug program. But that could entail

coordinating visits to the pharmacy and then to a physician to get vaccinated,

one expert said. Medicare access barriers are under study by the comptroller

general, with a report due by June 1.