Vaccines are one of the safest and most convenient ways to prevent disease and maintain good health. IPRO urges providers to remember the WAVE acronym. This encourages providers to ask: “What About Vaccines?” Every Time, at every patient encounter. Opening a dialogue about vaccines is the first step toward protecting the health and well-being of both patients and providers.
Vaccine Recommendations
Vaccine recommendations are subject to change in response to new variants, or as new formulations become available. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updated recommendations regarding:
• Immunization schedules
• Covid-19
• Pneumococcal disease
• Influenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Paying for Vaccines
Most commercial insurance provides coverage for the COVID-19 vaccine. Medicare Part B covers vaccines and vaccine administration for:
• Flu
• Pneumonia
• Hepatitis B (for individuals at high and intermediate risk)
• COVID-19
• Certain reasonable and necessary vaccines to treat an injury or exposure to a disease
Medicare Part D covers the RSV vaccine.
The Bridge Access Program provides free coverage for COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults.