Vaccines are among the most effective ways to help protect children from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. Unfortunately, the number of children in the U.S. who are up to date on routine vaccinations has declined in recent years, putting them at increased risk for infection. This continued backslide in childhood immunizations and low rates of COVID-19 vaccination is especially alarming as we approach winter months when cases of respiratory illness typically increase. With updated COVID-19 vaccines now available, there is an opportunity to reinforce the importance of pediatric vaccination and answer parents’ questions about recommended vaccines, coadministration, and coverage when administering annual flu vaccines or during well-child visits.
To help address these and other questions, the CVEEP and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) co-hosted an online event to examine how the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program covers payment of COVID-19 vaccines for children. During the 60-minute webinar, panelists discussed the importance of VFC, including eligibility and how the program covers updated COVID-19 vaccines, and proven strategies for combatting disparities in childhood immunization rates.
Panelists included:
The discussion was moderated by Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, NFID President, past voting member and current liaison to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) representing the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).
While vaccines remain the best protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and have helped reduce the number of infections and deaths from the virus, the recent uptick in cases and concerns about an increase this fall highlight the fact that COVID-19 is not gone, and millions of Americans continue to face a higher risk of severe illness from the virus.
In addition to being up to date on vaccinations, antivirals are an important and effective tool to reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of hospitalization for those at greatest risk of serious illness. Yet, despite the positive strides made since the start of the pandemic to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and the availability of treatment options, public awareness and timely access to antiviral treatments remain a challenge for many, particularly among some of the most vulnerable populations.
The COVID-19 Education and Equity Project and our partners hosted an engaging discussion focused on raising awareness about antiviral treatments as a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19. A panel of experts provided their perspectives on practical efforts underway to help improve equity and access, shed light on common risk factors, and discuss ways to empower communities to be aware, make a plan, and take action to protect themselves against COVID-19.
Speakers included:
“Today’s actions are an essential step in helping protect public health in advance of the fall and winter respiratory illness season. The broad-based routine and FDA-authorized and approved recommendations endorsed today enable anyone who could benefit from the vaccine to get immunized, if they choose,” said Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.
“Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers are required by law to cover, with no cost sharing, updated COVID-19 vaccines. For the uninsured, the Administration is deploying the Bridge Access program to provide no-cost access to COVID-19 vaccines for adults through public health clinics, community health centers, and participating retail pharmacies. And children, regardless of insurance status, have access to no cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of Healthy Women, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.
“Because of recent changes to the law, access to vaccines is better than at any previous time, but access doesn’t always translate into action. We need to continue to spread the word that vaccination is one of the most effective things we can for ourselves individually as well as for the public health,” said Karyne Jones, President and CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project recently launched the You’re Covered campaign, a multi-stakeholder effort to provide the latest information on how COVID-19 vaccines are covered by private and public insurance – and to offer details on how, in almost all cases, updated vaccines remain available at no cost to the public. For resources in English and Spanish, visit covidvaccineproject.org/covered.
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As more than 255 leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, healthcare workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project launched in December 2020 to provide information about the clinical trials process, regulatory review, distribution of and access to COVID-19 vaccines in a way that promotes equity and trust. Support for the project has been provided by Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen and Novartis. Learn more at covidvaccineproject.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X at @COVIDVxProject.
In light of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the recent strain selection for the next updated COVID-19 vaccine, and the transition from government supply to traditional coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, consumers, health care providers and other stakeholders have a number of questions. To help provide clarity, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) and Vaccinate Your Family hosted a webinar with CDC, FDA, and HHS experts to discuss the latest guidance on who should receive an additional updated vaccine, dosing, and coadministration, in addition to COVID-19 vaccine coverage, access, and availability.
Panelists included:
In response to recent CDC data showing a decline in routine childhood immunizations in young children, The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) partnered with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist on an online event series aimed at parents to build vaccine confidence and overcome hesitancy issues. A Facebook Live addressing misinformation and vaccine questions for parents that are considering sending their children to summer camp took place on June 15th at 12 pm ET.
Featured speakers included:
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist moderated the discussion.
As the public health emergency for COVID-19 ends on May 11th, there are many questions about what to expect as COVID-19 vaccines and treatments transition from the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) phase to the traditional healthcare marketplace, including issues around coverage, access and availability. To help address these and other questions, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) held a webinar for its over 250 partners, bringing together medical and policy experts to breakdown the anticipated changes impacting COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in the post PHE environment.
Panelists included:
In response to recent CDC data showing a decline in routine childhood immunizations in young children, The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) partnered with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist on an online event series aimed at parents to build vaccine confidence and overcome hesitancy issues. An Instagram Live addressing misinformation and vaccine questions for parents in the Hispanic community was held March 20th at 8pm ET. Featured speakers included:
Dr. Jetelina moderated the discussion, which can be viewed here.
In response to recent CDC data showing a decline in routine childhood immunizations in young children, The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) is partnering with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist on an online event series aimed at parents to build vaccine confidence and overcome hesitancy issues. An Instagram Live addressing questions and considerations for parents in the Black community was held on March 13. Featured speakers included:
Dr. Jetelina moderated the discussion, which can be viewed here.