Seniors, Children Urged to Get Flu Vaccine

Flu and its complications more adversely affect the young and the old. This results in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. The good news is that flu vaccination for seniors is covered by Medicare, and the shots for children are covered by Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), according to Barbara Cebuhar, from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"Because we work with patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, we are launching an effort to encourage everyone, especially the African American, Hispanic and Native American communities, who have low rates of vaccination, to get their annual flu vaccination as early as possible," Cebuhar said.

"We are asking our partner organizations to share information about the availability of an Immunization Guide, which helps providers bill for administration and the cost of the vaccine," Cebuhar said. The CMS immunizations page features a mini-poster, in English and Spanish, reminding everyone that flu vaccination is covered under Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP.

Please visit the CMS website for more information on immunizations.

 

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