• AVAC Leads Stakeholder Letter on Equitable COVID Vaccine Distribution

    Dear Secretary Azar, ADM Giroir, Director Redfield, Commissioner Hahn, and Chief Advisor Slaoui:   As the nation plans for the upcoming allocation, distribution, and administration of a new COVID-19 pandemic vaccine, we write to emphasize that the success of that plan will be judged by how well it ensures equitable access for all. While continued efforts on testing […]

    Letters to Administration COVID-19 Response
  • AVAC Comments on CMS Physician Fee Schedule

    October 5, 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1734-P P.O. Box 8016 Baltimore, MD 21244-8016 RE: CMS-1734-P Medicare Program: CY 2021 Revisions to Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; etc. To Whom It […]

    Letters to Administration Supporting Providers
  • Coronavirus Virus

    Immunizing in a COVID-19 Environment: Best Practices

    AVAC hosted the second briefing in a series on “Immunizing in a COVID-19 Environment.” The briefing featured a discussion on best practices for immunizing in the adult population, ways to vaccinate safely during an emergency pandemic, and legislative steps that can be taken now to prepare for the upcoming flu season and future COVID-19 vaccine.

    Blogs Benefits of Immunization
  • AVAC Sends CMS Recommendations Around Improving Adult Immunization

    Memo To:  Seema Verma, Administrator for the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services From: Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (Abby Bownas / Lisa Foster, AVAC Managers) CC: Brady Brookes; Demetrios Kouzoukas; Kimberly Brandt; and Jeffrey Kelman Date: 7/29/2020 Re: Recommendations to CMS around improving Adult Immunizations Incentivize beneficiary uptake of recommended […]

    Letters to Administration COVID-19 Response
  • AVAC Spotlight: Laura Morris, MD – University of Missouri

    During AVAC’s June briefing on immunizing in a COVID-19 environment, Dr. Laura Morris explained how she counsels patients on immunization by basing her advice on science and making clear and strong recommendations.

    Blogs COVID-19 Response
  • AVAC Makes Recommendations to 2021 Physician Fee Schedule

    May 19, 2020 Demetrios Kouzoukas Principal Deputy Administrator for Medicare and Director Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244 RE: Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) Recommendations for the FY2021  Proposed Rule Medicare Program: Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; […]

    Letters to Administration Supporting Providers
  • The Essential Role of Physicians in Immunization

    It should come as no surprise then that patients are far more likely to receive an immunization when a provider has recommended it. Vaccines are an essential tool in a medical professional’s arsenal of preventive health measures as they strive to keep Americans of all ages and walks of life leading healthy and active lives.

    Blogs Supporting Providers
  • APIC Releases Position Statement on State Vaccine Policies

    The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) released their vaccine position statement. Read their statement here. You can learn more about APIC’s vaccine work here.

    Reports Benefits of Immunization
  • AVAC Spotlight: Litjen (L.J.) Tan, MS, PhD, Immunization Action Coalition

    On May 17-18, LJ, and the Immunization Action Coalition, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, co-hosted the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) in Atlanta, GA. The gathering included hundreds of professionals from the federal government, public health, private medical sectors, vaccine manufacturers and distributors, and consumers—all dedicated to preventing illness, disability, and deaths through the use of recommended vaccines.

    Blogs Reducing Financial Barriers
  • AVAC Spotlight: Lauren Linkenauger, PharmD

    Pharmacists like Lauren are working to build “immunization neighborhoods” at places like Walgreens where people can get the vaccines they need. The pharmacy chain now has 27,000 pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants certified to provide immunizations, and offers all CDC recommended immunizations based on state regulations.

    Blogs Supporting Providers
  • AVAC Spotlight: Dr. Minerva Campos, National Hispanic Medical Association

    As a family physician practicing for more than 35 years, and Board Member of the National Hispanic Medical Association, Dr. Minerva Campos knows that immunizations prevent numerous diseases.  That’s why she needs to stock a lot of vaccines for both children and adults.

    Blogs Eliminating Disparities
  • AVAC Comments on CMS’s Outpatient Prospective Payment Proposed Rule

    September 11, 2017 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1678-P P.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs To Whom It May Concern: As members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), we appreciate […]

    Letters to Administration Supporting Providers