Vaccines / Preventive Services
Adult immunization rates are falling short of national targets. Learn how global, federal, and state policies affect vaccination uptake. Leverage our findings to guide your strategies. Rely on our expertise commercializing novel and therapeutic vaccines.
Featured Content
Webinar: 2019 Avalere Webinar Series: A Conversation on Vaccine Innovations
With a robust vaccines pipeline and opportunities to improve adult vaccine access, vaccines are currently a hot topic. In our 30-minute Conversations series, Avalere’s experts will break down the issues surrounding vaccines, what those issues mean, and their impact on various healthcare stakeholders. They will also provide insights on what to expect from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s meeting scheduled for June 26–27.
Flu Vaccine Uptake Among Seniors Has Increased Steadily Since 2015
Avalere experts recently presented “A Comprehensive Analysis of Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Medicare” at the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit in Atlanta, GA.
Avalere’s Vaccines Experts Featured in Health Affairs Blog
On May 24, Avalere policy experts published a piece on the Health Affairs blog highlighting opportunities to leverage quality measurement tied to payment to drive adult immunization uptake and achieve national population health targets.
Avalere Commentary on Vague Vaccine Recommendations Featured in Health Affairs Blog
On May 7, Avalere policy experts published a piece in the Health Affairs blog about the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, and how they may be leading to provider practice confusion and potential access barriers for patients.
Administration Seeks Input on Federal STD Prevention and Treatment Initiative
On May 3, the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, in partnership with other Department of Health and Human Services agencies, released a request for information (RFI) from stakeholders on strategies for the development of a Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Federal Action Plan, an initiative designed to address the domestic STD public health epidemic.
Issue of Part D Cost Sharing for Preventive Services Arises at Senate Drug Pricing Hearing
An April 9 hearing before the Senate Finance Committee entitled “Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change” included discussion related to cost-sharing for preventive services in the Medicare Part D.
Avalere Commentary on HIV Prevention Policy Featured in Health Affairs Blog
On April 9, Avalere policy experts published a piece in the Health Affairs blog about the administration’s recently launched “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” initiative.
Vaccine Exemptions and the Federal Government’s Role
With the number of measles cases rising across the country, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb raised the prospect of federal intervention over exemptions to state-level immunization school-entry requirements. While not specifying what role the federal government would play, Gottlieb stated, “You could mandate certain rules about what is and isn’t permissible when it comes to allowing people to have exemptions.”
ACIP Recommendations Shift Pneumococcal Vaccination Patterns
New research from Avalere finds that the provision of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines increased immediately after ACIP’s 2014 recommendation to add the vaccine to the routine immunization schedule for older adults.
Emerging Influenza Vaccine Technologies Stand to Improve Vaccination Rates
Nearly 80,000 people died during the 2017–2018 influenza season. Only 37% of adults were vaccinated. Several novel emerging products could make vaccination more accessible and effective, potentially reshaping the market and lowering influenza disease burden.
Lack of Clarity on Preventive Services Recommendations May Create Access Barriers
Ambiguous recommendations for preventive services are causing confusion among plans and providers on the clinically recommended preventive services that should be covered without cost sharing. A recent USPSTF recommendation on HIV prevention offers an opportunity to urge a recommending body to provide further clarity in its recommendation. Comments are due December 26.
Fewer Seniors Get Vaccinated as Their Out-of-Pocket Costs Increase
New research shows higher cost sharing for vaccines under Part D leads to fewer seniors getting vaccines. Immunization rates are higher for vaccines covered by Part D plans with lower cost sharing.
Reforming Medicare Vaccine Coverage to Reduce Barriers to Access
On June 14, Avalere experts came together with Cynthia Tudor, former Deputy Center Director of the Center for Medicare and Senior Advisor to Avalere, to discuss vaccine coverage and access challenges under Medicare.
Shifting Drugs from Medicare Part B to Part D: Learnings from Medicare Coverage of Vaccines
A proposed shift of Part B drugs into Part D could affect patient access and increase the burden on providers.
Webinar: Barriers to Access: Reforming Medicare Vaccine Coverage
Avalere experts discuss adult immunization rates in the United States and how the disparate coverage of vaccines under Medicare creates significant barriers to increasing adult immunization uptake.
State-Level Policies Can Play Key Role in Improving Adult Immunization Rates
States can pursue various policy opportunities to encourage vaccination and increase access to vaccines.
Emerging Opportunities to Drive Adult Immunization Through Quality
Quality measurement in the adult vaccine space has evolved rapidly. Recent advancements continue to propel efforts to drive adult immunization uptake.
Vaccine Coverage Requirements Vary by Market
Avalere has released a new white paper explaining the current insurance coverage requirements for vaccines and the laws that govern those requirements for the Medicare (Parts B and D), Medicaid, and commercial (group and individual) markets.
Pharmacist Immunization Authority Associated with Higher Seasonal Influenza Immunization Rates
Avalere recently partnered with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) to explore the role that pharmacists can play in the uptake of seasonal influenza immunizations.
Medicare Has the Potential to Avoid Preventable Illnesses by Encouraging Broader Coverage for Adult Vaccines
A new analysis by Avalere finds that, despite efforts by policymakers to encourage broader vaccination rates, Medicare enrollees have limited access to a set of 10 recommended vaccines without having to pay out-of-pocket (e.g., co-payments).
