Letters Archive - Page 3 of 12 - Adult Vaccine Access Coalition

AVAC Puts Forward Recommendations on the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Confidence Campaigns

AVAC supports the allotment of $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan for vaccine confidence campaigns; however, we encourage the Biden Administration to expand the CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence Campaign to include all age groups. Doing so will build greater trust in recommended vaccines to increase routine vaccination rates in the long term.

Letters to Administration

Benefits of Immunization COVID-19 Response

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Dear President Biden,

Thank you for your continued efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthen vaccine confidence, and improve vaccination rates throughout the United States. We appreciate that the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 dedicates $1 billion to build vaccine confidence, support vaccine education, and improve vaccination rates for COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccine preventable diseases (Section 3002).

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to afflict individuals, families, and communities across the country, there is newfound attention on the importance of vaccines as an effective preventive health measure.1 Vaccines have always been one of greatest public health achievements, but especially in the midst of the pandemic, where there is overlap between populations that are vulnerable to the COVID-19, and other vaccine preventable disease.

Unfortunately, as result of the pandemic, routine vaccination rates, across all ages, have plummeted–leaving communities vulnerable to preventable disease, illness, and outbreaks.2 Data indicate up to a 26% drop for MMR, DTap, and Polio vaccines between January and September of 2020.3 Another analysis found that adult and adolescent CDC recommended vaccines declined between 41%-53% from March-August 2019 as compared to March-August 2020.4 Weekly vaccination rates among Medicare beneficiaries also declined drastically (70%–89% below 2019 rates).5 Long-standing health disparities are also laid bare in these trends. For example, emerging data shows traditionally underserved populations, such as those who are insured through Medicaid, have not only seen the greatest decline in routine vaccination rates but are also are recovering at a slower rate compared to those with private insurance.6 Further, data indicate that 35% of Black Americans and 42% of Hispanic Americans report wanting to receive the COVID-19 compared to 53% of white Americans.7 Meanwhile, Black Americans and Hispanic Americans are proportionally receiving less COVID-19 vaccinations than their share of the total population.8 Additionally, data on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations is currently lacking and needs to be included in all aspects of COVID and public health.

Recognizing these concerning trends and challenges could have serious consequences for the future, threatening to reverse decades of progress in achieving vaccine equity,9,10 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 targets funds to build vaccine confidence, support vaccine education, and improve vaccination rates for COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccine preventable diseases. To ensure disparate communities do not become even more vulnerable to preventable illnesses, outbreaks and death11 we ask that you expand CDCs Vaccinate with Confidence campaign12 to include all age groups – children, adolescents and adults. A sustained federal effort aimed at improving trust in recommended vaccines across the lifecourse and the systems that administer them—is essential to overcoming vaccine hesitancy and increasing acceptance of vaccines.13,14 We specifically recommend:

Building the trust that patients, their families, and providers have in recommended vaccines. This includes expand education and outreach, with a focus on sustained partnerships with trusted community messengers on the importance of recommended vaccines. This includes targeted vaccination campaigns to areas where people are least likely to be reached by traditional health care infrastructure and where there are known pockets of vaccine hesitancy. Furthermore, we urge CDC to expand upon community level grants and resources to enable local leaders to test and tailor proactive messages, while countering anti-vaccination sentiments.
Building trust for providers who administer vaccines. Efforts must seek to simultaneously educate and inform healthcare professionals (HCPs) to ensure they make a strong recommendation to patients, in order to raise awareness among patients regarding the need to receive all ACIP-recommended vaccinations and the alternative vaccination locations that may be available to them.
Helping communities understand and have confidence in the process and policies that lead to vaccine development, licensure or authorization, manufacturing, and recommendations for use.

Our country and public health infrastructure cannot afford to follow a pandemic with an increase in cases or large outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases. We are optimistic that this funding can support the ongoing work across the United States to not only recover from the pandemic but continue to protect our communities from vaccine preventable diseases and future outbreaks.

Sincerely,

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

American Public Health Association

Dynavax

Families Fighting Flu

GSK

Hepatitis B Foundation/Hep B United

Immunization Action Coalition

Medicago

Merck

Moderna

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs

National Consumers League

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

National Hispanic Medical Association

Sanofi

STChealth LLC

The AIDS Institute

The Gerontological Society of America

Trust for America’s Health

Vaccinate Your Family

Vaxcare

AVAC Expresses Strong Support for the Helping Adults Protect Immunity Act

AVAC sent a letter to Senator Brown to show support for his leadership on the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act, a bill that provides a baseline of consistent and reliable Medicaid coverage to ensure that all Medicaid enrollees do not face insurmountable financial hurdles when a recommended vaccine provides a clear and direct health benefit.

Letters to Congress

Eliminating Disparities Reducing Financial Barriers

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Dear Senator Brown,

We write to express our strong support for the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act. We appreciate your bi-cameral leadership to strengthen access to immunizations under Medicaid.

Medicaid, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is a federal-state insurance partnership that provides coverage to over 70 million low-income children and adults. Medicaid covers low-income older adults, persons with disabilities and chronic conditions, and pregnant women. Many of these same populations have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. These high-risk health groups are also extremely vulnerable to serious adverse health consequences of other vaccine preventable illnesses. Hospitalizations, increased morbidity and mortality, loss of independence, the ability to engage in activities of daily living, and reduced quality of life are but a few of the devastating, but avoidable, direct and indirect costs. Vaccine preventable conditions add over $8.3 billion to the health care system overall, according to a 2016 study of just four vaccine preventable conditions (influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster and pertussis).

The HAPI Act seeks to provide a baseline of consistent and reliable Medicaid coverage across the country. Currently, access to vaccines under Medicaid varies, depending on where you live and your Medicaid eligibility status. Medicaid enrollees who are covered through Medicaid expansion programs are guaranteed access to all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with no cost sharing requirements. By contrast, not all vaccines recommended for adults are covered by traditional Medicaid programs and those that are covered may have cost sharing requirements that put access to the vaccine out of reach. The HAPI Act seeks to ensure that all Medicaid enrollees have access to this important preventive health service and do not face insurmountable financial hurdles when a recommended vaccine provides a clear and direct health benefit.

Again, thank you for leadership on the HAPI Act. Members of AVAC stand ready to work with you on this, and other important policy solutions, to strengthen and expand coverage for recommended vaccines to those who need it most.

Sincerely,

Alliance for Aging Research
American Academy of Family Physicians
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
American Immunization Registry Association
American Lung Association
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Emily Stillman Foundation
Families Fighting Flu
GSK
Hepatitis B Foundation
Hep B United
Immunization Action Coalition
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Kimberly Coffey Foundation
Medicago
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)
National Black Nurses Association
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
STChealth
The AIDS Institute
The Gerontological Society of America
Trust for America’s Health
Vaccinate Your Family
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

AVAC Urges the Biden Administration to use its Presidential Budget to Tackle Vaccination Barriers

AVAC members offered comments on the need for the Biden Administration to address financial burdens brought about by vaccines, particularly those for adults, by allocating the necessary funds in its Build Back Better Recovery Plan.

Letters to Administration

Appropriations/Funding for Immunization Reducing Financial Barriers

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Dear President Biden

As our nation undergoes a vaccination program that will be the greatest public health efforts of our generation, members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) and stakeholder partners ask that as you consider updating longstanding structural flaws in our vaccine policies as part of the Build Back Better Recovery plan. Inequities in coverage of vaccines across public and private programs, particularly for adults, has hindered our nation’s disease prevention efforts and put older adults and persons with chronic conditions needlessly at risk and is critical to expanding access to preventative health care services.

Section 2713 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) removed cost-sharing and co-pays for vaccinations recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for all compliant private plans. However, Medicare and some Medicaid beneficiaries were left out of this change and still face high out-of-pocket costs for vaccinations. Financial barriers to all ACIP recommended vaccines must be eliminated for individuals covered by Medicaid and Medicare to improve the underlying health of the communities most at risk for COVID-19 and aid the elimination of racial disparities in health care. A fully vaccinated public is an investment in our future health, wellbeing and economic success of our national. Eliminating financial barriers thus is imperative and we urge you to tackle this issue in the President’s forthcoming Budget Proposal by including budget proposals that would remedy this disparity.

Immunizations are a cornerstone of our nation’s disease prevention efforts and have a demonstrated track record of success as a cost-effective means of reducing disease burden and saving lives. Despite the well-known benefits of immunization, adult coverage lags behind federal targets for most commonly recommended vaccines: influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, and HPV. Millions more adults suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases, causing them to miss work and leaving some unable to care for those who depend on them. Adults seeking access to and coverage for vaccines encounter multiple barriers, including lack of awareness and information about recommended vaccines, financial hurdles including high-cost sharing, as well as technological and logistical obstacles. Improving adult access to vaccines can save thousands of lives and billions of dollars. The health care costs associated with low adult vaccine rates are high—each year, the U.S. spends $26.5 billion treating four vaccine-preventable diseases (Flu, Pneumococcal, Shingles, Pertussis).

Medicare

Vaccines are particularly important for older adults because our immune systems weaken with time. Adults age 50 and over are particularly susceptible to many vaccine-preventable diseases and account for a disproportionate number of the deaths and illnesses they cause. This is why older adults are most at risk of developing severe illness from coronavirus. For older adults, many of whom live on fixed incomes, additional costs may delay or even prevent them from getting vaccinated. A 2018 study of Tdap and herpes zoster vaccine claims under Medicare Part D demonstrated that when the costs of vaccines are high, seniors can’t or won’t get them. The study found that costs of $51 or more to the beneficiary are associated with a greater rate of cancelled vaccination claims compared to beneficiaries with no out-of-pocket costs. We ask that you include the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act2, bicameral, bipartisan legislation which would ensure all vaccines under Medicare are available to beneficiaries with no cost sharing or deductibles as part of your budget proposal to Congress. The bill brings parity between out-pocket costs between Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D.

Medicaid

Currently, access to vaccines under Medicaid varies, depending on where live and your Medicaid eligibility status. Medicaid enrollees who are covered through Medicaid expansion programs are guaranteed access to all vaccines ACIP-recommended by the with no cost sharing requirements. By contrast, not all vaccines recommended for adults are covered by traditional Medicaid programs and those that are covered may have cost sharing requirements that put access to the vaccine out of reach. We must fix disparities in coverage in the Medicaid program by providing a baseline of consistent and reliable Medicaid coverage across the country. Medicaid covers low-income older adults, persons with disabilities and chronic conditions, and pregnant women. Many of these same populations have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. These high-risk groups are also extremely vulnerable to serious adverse health consequences of other vaccine preventable illnesses. We ask that you also include in the budget the Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act3, which would ensure that all Medicaid enrollees have access to this important preventive health service and do not face insurmountable financial hurdles when a recommended vaccine provides a clear and direct health benefit.

As our country continues to work to meet the challenges of the pandemic, now is the time to redouble our efforts to eliminate the underlying vaccination disparities that have been prevalent in our health care system for too long. Our organizations are available to answer your questions at your earliest convenience. Please reach out to AVAC Managers Abby Bownas, (abownas@nvgllc.com) or Lisa Foster (lfoster@nvgllc.com).

Sincerely,

American Academy of Family Physicians
American Lung Association
American Public Health Association
BIO
Dynavax
Families Fighting Flu
GSK
Hepatitis B Foundation/Hep B United
Immunization Action Coalition
Medicago
Moderna
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs
National Consumers League
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Minority Quality Forum
Sanofi
STChealth LLC
The AIDS Institute
The Gerontological Society of America
Vaccinate Your Family
Vaxcare

AVAC Supports the Introduction of the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act to Congress

AVAC commends Congresswomen Annie Kuster’s and Congressman Larry Bucshon’s leadership on the introduction of H.R. 1978, the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act, to the 117th Congress. This legislation is vital for preventing disease in older adults by reducing the financial barriers that are often associated with vaccines covered under Medicare Part D.

Letters to Congress

Appropriations/Funding for Immunization Reducing Financial Barriers Vaccine Infrastructure

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Dear Representatives Kuster and Bucshon,

As members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), we commend you for introducing the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021.

AVAC consists of more than sixty organizational leaders in health and public health who are committed to raising awareness of the importance of adult immunization with the ultimate goal of addressing barriers to adult immunization. A top priority for AVAC is to achieve increased adult immunization rates through improving education and awareness of recommended vaccines and addressing challenges to access.

Introduction of this legislation comes at a crucial time. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused adults to delay or avoid interactions with the health care system for preventative services. Despite the well-known benefits of immunization, adult coverage lagged behind federal targets for most commonly recommended vaccines even before the pandemic. Each year millions of adults suffer from vaccine-preventable diseases, causing them to miss work and leaving some unable to care for those who depend on them.

Often, Medicare beneficiaries do not realize that coverage for immunizations is divided between Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D. While vaccines under Medicare Part B are available to beneficiaries with no cost sharing or deductibles, beneficiaries face varied costsharing requirements under Medicare Part D plans. When Medicare beneficiaries encounter financial barriers in Medicare Part D, it discourages vaccine uptake and causes inequities in access to recommended vaccines. Due to the pandemic, too many Americans are feeling increasingly financially insecure and any cost barrier to the important preventative measure of recommended vaccines must be removed.

The Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021 will help inform more beneficiaries about Medicare coverage for vaccines while bringing parity between out-pocket costs between Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D.

Congress can send a clear message of support for prevention by advancing the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act. The future holds great promise for new immunizations, specifically for older adults, but the benefits of immunization cannot be realized if patients do not access the services. AVAC members are pleased to offer our support for this important legislation and stand ready to work with you toward equitable access and parity of coverage for all ACIP-recommended vaccines for the Medicare population.

Sincerely,
Alliance for Aging Research
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM)
American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA)
American Lung Association
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
American Public Health Association (APHA)
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
Association of Immunization Managers (AIM)
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Dynavax
Families Fighting Flu
GSK
Hep B United
Hepatitis B Foundation
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
Kimberly Coffey Foundation
Medicago
Merck
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)
National Consumers League
National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP)
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR)
Moderna
Novavax
Pfizer
Sanofi
Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC)
The AIDS Institute
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
Trust for America’s Health
Vaccinate Your Family
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

AVAC Urges House to Support Full Funding of Immunization-Related Activities at the Department of Health and Human Services.

AVAC sent a letter to House members asking for $1.13 billion for immunization-related activities at the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS), and Education Appropriations bill. This investment would strengthen the immunization infrastructure, vaccinate against COVID-19, and restore vaccination rates for routine immunizations back to pre-pandemic levels.

Letters to Congress

Appropriations/Funding for Immunization COVID-19 Response Vaccine Infrastructure

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March 10, 2021

Dear Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole,

As members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), we write to ask for full funding of immunization-related activities at the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS), and Education Appropriations bill.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of fully funding immunization efforts. Vaccines help us mitigate diseases, prevent severe illnesses, and reduce rates of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a catastrophic toll on our society. The rollout of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines signals a light at the end of the tunnel but there are still important steps that Congress needs to take to ensure success of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The pandemic has also introduced new challenges to our health care system that have resulted in a significant reduction in routine vaccination rates across the life course.

It is critical that the LHHS appropriations bill includes sustainable funding for immunization efforts, including long-term investments in immunization infrastructure, including immunization information systems, vaccine confidence campaigns, and support for health care providers. Immunizations are a sound investment because they are a highly cost-effective form of preventive medicine that help save lives by protecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in communities nationwide. Vaccines not only help protect the immunized person but they can also help protect those around them who may not be able to be immunized because they are too young to be vaccinated or suffer from a health condition that prevents them from being immunized. We ask the Committee to strongly support the following programs in the FY22 LHHS bill:

$1.13 billion for the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) (+$400m). The immunization program at CDC provides funding to state and local health departments to carry out a variety of activities vital to the prevention, detection, and mitigation of vaccine-preventable conditions. These essential grants are utilized not only for the purchase of vaccines, but also support a number of other important infrastructure activities, including: surveillance, safety and effectiveness studies, education and outreach, implementation of evidence-based community interventions to increase immunization coverage among underserved and high-risk populations, and vaccine-preventable disease outbreak response. The resources provided under the immunization program are vital to communities across the country, many of whom rely solely on these funds to support their immunization activities.

The work of the immunization program has become even more necessary as part of the sustained COVID-19 vaccination campaign. However, COVID-19 has also exposed weaknesses in the immunization infrastructure, including a lack of adult data in the immunization information systems (IIS), vaccine hesitancy, and disparities in vaccination rates. On top of the COVID-19 pandemic, disease outbreaks – including measles, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B—are on the rise and investments must be made to restore vaccination rates for routine immunizations back to pre-pandemic levels.

Fortunately, most health departments already have infrastructure in place but it is imperative that Congress invest in modernizing and take steps to sustain these important investments even once the immediate threats of the pandemic. Providing $1.13 Billion in FY22 will go a long way to strengthen the immunization infrastructure, vaccinate against COVID-19, and to restore vaccination rates for routine immunizations back to pre-pandemic levels.

$241 million for Influenza Planning and Response at CDC’s NCIRD (+$40m).

CDC’s Influenza Planning and Response programs help to protect the United States from seasonal influenza and pandemic influenza. Each winter, influenza causes millions of illnesses and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. The 2017-2018 season was especially dangerous with an estimated 61,000 Americans having died from influenza and its complications. During the 2018-2019 season, an estimated 35.5 million people got sick with influenza and 34,200 people died. Providing $241 million for the program will ensure CDC has the resources necessary to address the continual threats posed by seasonal and pandemic influenza.

$134 million for CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis (+$94.5m).

In 2021, the National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan called for the elimination of hepatitis A, B, and C as public health threats in the United States. There is currently a large-scale outbreak of HAV, resulting in an 850% increase in cases1. HAV and HBV have a safe and highly effective vaccine that can prevent infection. Yet only 25% of adults are vaccinated for HBV, representing a lost opportunity to prevent HBV infection. Chronic HBV requires life-long medical care, as there is no cure. Providing $134 million to expand adoption of CDC/United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for HBV and HCV testing, HBV vaccination, and linkage to care.

$10 million for the National Vaccine Program within the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP).

The National Vaccine Program at HHS provides strategic leadership and coordination of vaccine and immunization activities among federal agencies and other stakeholders whose mandate is to help reduce the burden of preventable infectious disease. This portfolio includes the National Vaccine Plan and National Vaccine Advisory Committee. Providing a $10 Million investment will be especially important for the work this office does around vaccine equity, confidence and safety. These funds will be essential in securing future implementation of the National Vaccine Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap in the development and use of vaccines across the life course in the United States.

Now more than ever, sustained and predictable, funding for the CDC immunization programs is vital, to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, to increase routine vaccination rates and to prepare for future pandemics. We look forward to working with your office as the FY22 appropriations process gets underway. For further information, please contact the AVAC managers at info@adultvaccinesnow.org.

Sincerely,

Alliance for Aging Research
American Academy of Family Physicians
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Heart Association
American Immunization Registry Association
American Pharmacists Association
American Public Health Association
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
Association of Immunization Managers
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Association of Occupational Health Nurses
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Dynavax
Families Fighting Flu
GSK
Hep B United
Hepatitis B Foundation
Hepatitis Education Project
Immunization Action Coalition
Immunization Coalition of Washington, DC
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Johnson & Johnson
March of Dimes
Medicago
Merck
Moderna
National Association of City and County Health Officials
National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)
National Black Nurses Association
National Consumers League
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Minority Quality Forum
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
Novavax
Pfizer
Seqirus
STC Health
Takeda Vaccines
The AIDS Institute
The Gerontological Society of America
Trust for America’s Health
Vaccinate Your Family
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

AVAC Supports Congresswoman Castor’s Leadership on the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act

AVAC sent a letter to Congresswoman Kathy Castor expressing support for her introduction of the Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act (PREVENT HPV Cancers Act), which authorizes $5 million toward the creation of a national HPV vaccine public awareness campaign through the CDC. Implementing the HPV public health campaign is vital for preventing HPV-related cancers.

Letters to Congress

Benefits of Immunization

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March 5, 2021

The Honorable Kathy Castor

United States House of Representatives

2052 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congresswoman Castor,

We write to thank you for introducing the Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act (PREVENT HPV Cancers Act). We appreciate your leadership on education campaigns around vaccines.

As you know, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the HPV vaccine be given to adolescents, as well as to certain adults who have not been previously vaccinated adequately, including all those under age 26 years and those between the ages of 27 and 45 years based on recommendations by their clinicians. Informing the public and providers about the importance of the HPV vaccine for this catch-up population is critical for preventing HPV-related cancers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the important role that vaccines play in protecting public health. The pandemic has also demonstrated the importance of educational campaigns for sharing information about vaccines with the public. Educational campaigns about the benefits of vaccines, who should receive vaccines, and on vaccine safety are critical for combating vaccine hesitancy and building confidence in vaccines.

That is why we are particularly appreciative that your legislation would create a national HPV vaccine public awareness campaign. The PREVENT HPV Cancers Act would authorize $5 million to create a national HPV vaccine public awareness campaign through the CDC, using advice from stakeholders based on evidence-based information for policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Again, thank you for leadership on the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act. Members of AVAC stand ready to work with you on this, and other important policy solutions, to expand access to HPV vaccines to those who need it, particularly to the adult catch-up population.

Sincerely,

American Public Health Association

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

Immunization Action Coalition

Infectious Diseases Society of America

March of Dimes Inc

National Black Nurses Association

National Consumers League

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)

STChealth

The Gerontological Society of America

Vaccinate Your Family

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AVAC Leads Stakeholders in Support Letter for IIS Modernization

Members of AVAC joined with partners and allies to ask Congressional leadership to include the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 550) in any next COVID-19 response package. The Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act provides the framework needed for the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign, while also improving systems to manage “routine” immunization efforts and outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases. This legislation is critical for the success of the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

Letters to Congress

COVID-19 Response Vaccine Infrastructure

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February 8, 2021

Dear Leaders Schumer, McConnell, Pelosi and McCarthy,

As the Congress and our nation continue to respond to the public health emergency that is overtaking our nation, members of AVAC join with partners and allies to ask that the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 550) be considered as part of any next Covid-19 response package.

Immunizations are essential to protecting individuals across the life course from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. The ability to exchange immunization information across multiple jurisdictions has the ability to improve immunization rates, saving lives and dollars. Immunization Information Systems (IIS) are an essential tool for achieving this, informing providers of the vaccines a patient needs and when they need them. During past pandemics and natural disasters, IIS have been able to respond to the unique and pressing issues that these public health emergencies present for affected communities. However, IIS vary across states in terms of their capabilities and the breadth of patient information contained.

The Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act would provide much needed resources for IIS modernization and enhancements, and provide a desperately needed “shot in the arm” to successfully meet existing federal health goals as well as the future challenges of a mass pandemic vaccination campaign. Providing federal support and guidance to Health departments and health care providers at the state and local level to strengthen IIS, and to the health care information framework, would enable a successful response to a future pandemic vaccine, as well as manage “routine” immunization efforts and outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases, which could be happening simultaneously.

Now is the time to streamline policies across states and localities to facilitate the secure and confidential sharing of immunization record data across IIS’ jurisdictions on a more permanent basis. This would reduce immunization gaps, empower providers, and integrate immunization data into 21st-century health systems.

Again, we ask for your support for inclusion of Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act. Our organizations stand ready to work with you on this, and other important and effective solutions around vaccines.

Sincerely,

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Physicians

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

American Immunization Registry Association

American Pharmacists Association

American Public Health Association

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)

Association of Immunization Managers

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Dynavax

Families Fighting Flu

GSK

Hep B United

Hepatitis B Foundation

Immunization Action Coalition

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Kimberly Coffey Foundation

Medicago

Moderna

National Association of County and City Health Officials

National Consumers League

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

Public Health Informatics Institute

Seqirus

STChealth

The Gerontological Society of America

Trust for America’s Health

Vaccinate Your Family

AVAC Urges Support of the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act

AVAC sent a letter to Representatives Kuster and Bucshon, thanking them for introducing the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act. This important legislation would provide funding for IIS modernization and enhancements that are needed to meet existing federal health goals as well as the challenges of a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Letters to Congress

Appropriations/Funding for Immunization COVID-19 Response Vaccine Infrastructure

Download

Dear Representatives Kuster and Bucshon,

As the Congress and our nation continue to respond to the public health emergency that is overtaking our nation, members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) thank you for introducing the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act.

We appreciate that your legislation would provide much needed resources for IIS modernization and enhancements, and provide a desperately needed “shot in the arm” to successfully meet existing federal health goals as well as the future challenges of a mass pandemic vaccination campaign. Providing federal support and guidance to Health departments and health care providers at the state and local level to strengthen IIS, and to the health care information framework, would enable a successful response to a future pandemic vaccine, as well as manage “routine” immunization efforts and outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases, which could be happening simultaneously.

Again, we thank you for introducing the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act, and for your steadfast leadership around promoting access to and utilization of adult immunizations. Members of AVAC stand ready to work with you on this, and other important and effective solutions around vaccines.

Sincerely,

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

American Immunization Registry Association

American Pharmacists Association

American Public Health Association

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)

Association of Immunization Managers

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Dynavax

Families Fighting Flu

GSK

Hep B United

Hepatitis B Foundation

Immunization Action Coalition

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Medicago

National Association of County and City Health Officials

National Consumers League

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

Public Health Informatics Institute

Seqirus

STChealth

The Gerontological Society of America

Trust for America’s Health

Vaccinate Your Family

AVAC Urges Support of Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act

AVAC sent a letter to Senator Tina Smith and Representative Lauren Underwood, thanking them for introducing the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act. The legislation would provide robust funding to develop, scale, and evaluate local initiatives to promote recommended vaccinations during this pandemic. These investments are particularly important for building confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines now that two have been proven to be safe and effective.

Letters to Congress

Appropriations/Funding for Immunization COVID-19 Response

Download

January 22, 2021

Dear Senator Smith and Representative Underwood,

As the Congress and our nation continue to respond to the public health emergency that is overtaking our country, members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) thank you for introducing the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act.

This legislation would provide robust funding to develop, scale, and evaluate local initiatives to promote recommended vaccinations during this pandemic. These investments are particularly important for building confidence around the COVID-19 vaccines now that two have been proven to be safe and effective.

Immunizations are essential to protecting individuals across the life course from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. At risk populations, including older adults, persons with disabilities, and those living with chronic health conditions such as heart and lung disease, diabetes, and cancer, are extremely vulnerable and at increased risk of suffering from the serious adverse health consequences of vaccine preventable illnesses. Your important legislation will provide a heightened focus on addressing vaccination hesitancy concerns and increase public confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccines as a potentially lifesaving medical countermeasure.

It is critical to continue communication and engagement with the public on the need to continue to stay up to date with the immunization schedules recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the receipt of vaccinations for flu, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and hepatitis. At the same time, it is necessary to be educating and encouraging our most vulnerable populations to seek access to Covid-19 vaccines. Doing so will address the long-standing disparities around adult vaccines.

Again, thank you for your steadfast leadership around immunizations during this difficult time. Members of AVAC stand ready to work with you on important and effective solutions.

Sincerely,

Alliance for Aging Research

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Immunization Registry Association

American Lung Association

American Pharmacists Association

American Public Health Association

Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Families Fighting Flu

GSK

Hepatitis B Foundation

Hep B United

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Kimberly Coffey Foundation

March of Dimes

Medicago

Moderna

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)

National Consumers League

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

Novavax

Seqirus

STChealth

The AIDS Institute

The Gerontological Society of America

Trust for America’s Health

Vaccinate Your Family

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

AVAC Asks CMS for Clarification on Physician Fee Schedule Update

AVAC sent a letter asking CMS to send clarifying instructions to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) following the Physician Fee Schedule Update of January 7, 2021.

Letters to Administration

Supporting Providers

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January 22, 2021

Dear Director Blackford:

On behalf of members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), we write respectfully to request that CMS provide clarifying instruction to the MACs, following the Physician Fee Schedule Update of January 7, 2021, that payment amounts set in the final CY21 MPFS rule for immunization administration services described by HCPCS codes G0008 (Administration of influenza virus vaccine), G0009 (Administration of pneumococcal vaccine), and G0010 (Administration of hepatitis b vaccine) should be increased by 3.75% pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) along with all other CY 2021 MPFS payment rates.

AVAC consists of over 60 organizational leaders in health and public health that are committed to addressing the range of barriers to adult immunization and to raising awareness of the importance of adult immunization. Our organization believes that ensuring that clinicians are properly reimbursed is key to fostering a sustained environment for high-value immunizations. We fully agree with CMS that vaccination services are vital for the health of Medicare beneficiaries, particularly during the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic where health systems are stretched thin, and we believe the MACs, providers, and beneficiaries would benefit from clarification of this supportive payment policy for 2021.

Administering vaccines comes with a number of important responsibilities for providers, including staff training, ordering and tracking vaccine inventory and ancillary supplies for vaccine administration, proper handling, storage and reporting for each vaccine administered, as well as counseling and educating patients and caregivers. Inadequate reimbursement for vaccination administration discourages providers from proactively offering immunizations, and results in missed immunization opportunities and declines in immunization rates. Routine immunizations for Medicare beneficiaries during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will require all of these activities on an unprecedented scale all while having to implement new safety measures while vaccinating.

Thank you for your consideration to provide clarifying instruction. We also look forward to working with you and other stakeholders to develop additional information to establish appropriate payment for these services on a long-term basis. Please be in touch if AVAC can serve as a resource to your office around adult vaccine issues.

Sincerely,

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Immunization Registry Association

American Pharmacists Association

Families Fighting Flu

GSK

Hepatitis B Foundation

Hep B United

Immunization Action Coalition

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Kimberly Coffey Foundation

Medicago

Moderna

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

NFID

Novavax

Sanofi

STChealth LLC

The Gerontological Society of America

Vaccinate Your Family

VaxCare

Cc: Gift Tee, Ryan Howe