Covered by Part B, flu shots decreased slightly for older Americans last season, CDC reports

United States flu vaccinations increased 7.3 percent among children and decreased 3 percent among older adults during the 2010-11 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Sept. 21. An estimated 51 percent of children were vaccinated, 66.6 percent of adults age 65 or older, and 34.8 percent of adults under age 65 (roughly unchanged from 2009-10).

Vaccination rates varied widely by state, particularly for children and for adults under 65 with high-risk conditions, the CDC said. Last year, the agency recommended annual flu vaccination for all Americans six months and older. It said continued efforts are needed to ensure those at highest risk of flu complications (such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions) are vaccinated each year.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Annual vaccination is recommended for optimal protection. Medicare pays for the flu vaccine and its administration for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries with no co-pay or deductible. Take advantage of each office visit and start protecting your patients as soon as your 2011-12 seasonal flu vaccine arrives. Also, don’t forget to immunize yourself and your staff. As the CDC campaign advocates, “Get the Flu Vaccine—Not the Flu.”

Remember – Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that the influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered drug. For information about Medicare’s coverage of the influenza vaccine and its administration, as well as related educational resources for healthcare professionals and their staff, visit http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp.