Wednesday 3 October 2012

Infulenza vaccination - Who are covered by Medicare

Influenza

According to the June 27, 2002, MMWR Erratum, vaccination for the following groups should begin in October, regardless of the setting in which a person receives vaccination:

• *persons at increased risk for influenza-related complications (persons aged >65 years, persons aged 6 months to 64 years with certain medical conditions, and healthy children aged 6-23 months);

• health-care workers;
*This group also might be offered vaccination in September, if available, when seen for routine care or during hospitalization to avoid missed opportunities for vaccination.
**Beginning in 2002, the ACIP is encouraging when feasible the vaccination of all children 6-23 months. A full recommendation is expected in 1-3 years.

• household contacts of persons at increased risk for influenza-related
complications (including contacts of infants aged <6 months who are not eligible for influenza vaccine); and

• children aged 6 months to <9 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time.

The CDC recommends that vaccination immunization campaigns be held after mid- October. Mass immunization clinics held prior to November should focus on the high risk groups and their household contacts. Healthy persons aged 9-64 years (and those 2-8 years who are not receiving vaccine for the first time), who are not household contacts of high risk persons, and who do not fit into any of the groups listed above should wait until November to seek vaccination. Vaccination should continue through December and
later, as long as vaccine supplies are available.

According to ACIP, high priority target groups to receive influenza vaccination are persons who are at increased risk for complications from influenza:
• persons aged >65 years;
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
• adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or
cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or
hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency [HIV] virus);
• children and adolescents (aged 6 months-18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection;
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the
influenza season; and 
• children 6-23 months.*
ACIP also recommends that persons aged 50-64 years receive this vaccine, because this entire age group has an increased prevalence of high-risk conditions. Persons who can transmit influenza to those at high risk also need to be vaccinated, according to ACIP. Vaccination of health-care workers and others in close contact with persons at high risk, including household members is recommended: 

According to ACIP, high priority target groups to receive influenza vaccination are
persons who are at increased risk for complications from influenza:
• persons aged >65 years;
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of
any age who have chronic medical conditions;
• adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or
cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or
hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases
(including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or
immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by
human immunodeficiency [HIV] virus);
• children and adolescents (aged 6 months-18 years) who are receiving long-term
aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome
after influenza infection;
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the
influenza season; and
• children 6-23 months.*
 
ACIP also recommends that persons aged 50-64 years receive this vaccine, because this entire age group has an increased prevalence of high-risk conditions. Persons who can transmit influenza to those at high risk also need to be vaccinated, according to ACIP. Vaccination of health-care workers and others in close contact with persons at high risk, including household members is recommended:

• physicians, nurses, and other personnel in both hospital and outpatient-care
settings (including medical emergency response workers);
• employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with
patients or residents;
• employees of assisted living and other residences for persons in groups at high risk;
• persons who provide home care to persons in groups at high risk; and
• household contacts (including children) of persons in groups at high risk,
including household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0-23
months.

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