In response to declining vaccination rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine, the AAP released policies leaders say need to be enacted to preserve the vaccine delivery system. In addition to maintaining routine immunizations in order to prevent an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, a strong vaccine delivery system is critical to administering influenza vaccine for the critical 2020-21 flu season and to delivering the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
These policies include:
- Prospective Medicaid Vaccine Payments
- Increasing Regional Maximum VFC Vaccine Administration Fees
- Appropriately Valued Vaccine Codes
- Allow Borrowing Between Public and Private Vaccine Stock
- Prioritize Delivery of Seasonal Flu Vaccine to VFC Providers
- Reduced Regulatory Burden and Collaboration with Providers on Quality Initiatives
The AAP’s new policies can be found here. They have also released a one pager “Strengthening Immunization Delivery for Children: Preparing for a COVID-19 Vaccine.” Additional resources include: