An approved pediatric indication for a COVID vaccine could mean a 6-8 week black-out period where patients will not be able to receive other vaccines before, during or after the COVID-19 vaccine protocol. This is why the NCQA, the CDC and other industry leaders want back-to-school and catch-up vaccination efforts to begin now.
Data indicate that immunization rates have been declining since the pandemic began over a year ago. Primary care providers have been diligently getting patients back into the office for well visits, but this has still left a significant gap in coverage. The time is now to get patients caught up on routine vaccinations and anticipate vaccines that will be needed before the 2021-2022 school year.
NCQA hosted a webinar to share information about declining immunization rates due to the pandemic as well as strategies to overcome potential timing challenges that COVID vaccination efforts will present this summer. The National HPV Vaccination Roundtable has also put together a vaccination toolkit to help you get patients back into your office this spring.
Don’t forget that CPP also has a 2nd Dose Grant Program where members can earn an educational grant up to $1,000. Practices will examine 2nd dose completion rates for vaccines that require more than one dose to complete the series, implement an intervention in their office to help improve these rates, and share best practices with other CPP members.