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Universal Vaccination Against Influenza -Are We Ready? Workshop, October 24-25, 2005

Andrea Gelzer, MD, MS, FACP Senior Vice President, Clinical Public Affairs CIGNA Corp. AHIP Liaison to ACIP Representing America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Universal Vaccination Against Influenza -Are We Ready? Workshop, October 24-25, 2005. America’s Health Insurance Plans.

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Universal Vaccination Against Influenza -Are We Ready? Workshop, October 24-25, 2005

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  1. Andrea Gelzer, MD, MS, FACP Senior Vice President, Clinical Public Affairs CIGNA Corp. AHIP Liaison to ACIP Representing America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Universal Vaccination Against Influenza-Are We Ready?Workshop, October 24-25, 2005

  2. America’s Health Insurance Plans • The national trade association representing nearly 1,300 member companies providing health benefits to more than 200 million Americans.Our diverse membership is • comprised of: • Health insurance plans • Consumer Directed Plans • Disability Insurers • Dental Insurers • Long Term Care

  3. AHIP Vaccines and Immunization Initiative • AHIP Representation on National Committees • Andrea Gelzer, MD, MS, CIGNA, Corp.- ACIP liaison • Steve Black, MD, Kaiser Permanente - NVAC member • Richard Platt, MD, MSc, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – Joint Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee • AHIP Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) for CDC • 10 year contract 2002-2012 • AHIP Vaccines and Immunization Work Group • Since 1997 committed to improving immunization programs and coverage rates • AHIP Immunization Registry Task Force (new – 2005) • Grant for Innovation in Immunization Practices Program • Annual grant program supports future initiatives to improve immunization rates for targeted populations

  4. AHIP and it’s Member Organizations • … recognizes the important role of influenza vaccination in advancing the health of all Americans by preventing severe illness and death from influenza and its complications. Influenza vaccination in particular has critical public health benefit in the nation’s preparedness for a potential pandemic.

  5. Key Considerations Requirements: • Evidence base of a national universal influenza vaccination policy for healthy-low risk populations • Cost effectiveness analysis of vaccinating these healthy populations Concerns: • Conflicting information on vaccine effectiveness potentially impacting the marketplace • Assurances of adequate vaccine supply if a universal vaccinate policy is adopted Questions: • What would be the herd effect from vaccinating 2 to 18 yr olds? • Clarification of the relative roles of TIV vs. LAIV in immunizing these healthy populations (especially in non-shortage years)

  6. Strategies for Implementation • Perform necessary studies and confirm evidence base for universal recommendation. • Ensure adequate vaccine supply & distribution system. • Educate the public and medical community. • Require legislation for influenza vaccination of healthy populations attending day care, pre-school, school and college settings. • Phase in by ascending age from 2 - 49 years (most herd effect) • Conduct follow-up studies to determine medical and economic trends resulting from universal influenza immunization.

  7. Industry Perspectiveson Universal Flu Vaccination Advantages • Positive impact on preparedness for potential pandemic • The nation, specifically providers and healthcare systems would gain experience with immunizing large population segment. Other Advantages • Single message and process = standardization • Decreased confusion in the public • Incremental strategy – builds success with progressive age cohorts • potential for increasing vaccine uptake among healthy adults

  8. Closing Thoughts • Thank you for inviting us to participate. • We look forward to working with all participants in the healthcare industry: • Physicians; • Vaccine manufacturers; • Public and private payors; • Technical and policy review bodies; • Consumers; and • Public health partners • to ensure that vaccines and their associated health benefits remain accessible and affordable in the future to achieve the goals of Healthy People 2010.

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