September 14, 2023
As you may have heard, on Tuesday, September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved two mRNA vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, for individuals 6 months and older. The updated Novavax vaccine is still under review, but the current formulation of the Novavax COVID vaccine is still available.
Under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, people with commercial health insurance plans through the government or their employer can receive vaccines at no cost. Moderna and Pfizer reported that the list prices of their vaccines of $120-130 per dose. We don’t know how that pricing will translate to the commercial market, or what the cost will be to plans.
In addition to the newly approved vaccines, the CDC is recommending everyone receive a flu and updated COVID vaccine this year. Also, people may want to consider getting the RSV vaccine if they're over 60 and with weakened immune systems. Federal health experts suggest younger individuals, pregnant women, parents, and others talk to their doctors about the pros and cons of receiving the RSV vaccine. The CDC does recommend getting the flu and COVID shots at the same time. Since it can take up to two weeks for any vaccine to become fully effective, recommendations are to get your shots before the end of October, when flu season tends to begin.
It’s important to take preventive measures – like hosting a workplace program for flu and COVID vaccinations – to limit the spread of infection in the workplace.
In-Network Seasonal Immunization Providers
To help groups establish a workplace vaccination program, Premera provides a handy list of in-network providers who offer workplace COVID-19 and/or flu shot clinics. These lists have been recently updated with the most current information.
Share this information and provider lists with your group clients to help them set up their workplace clinics.
Seasonal Immunization Provider List For employer groups headquartered in Alaska
Recommendations
Recommendations from the CDC include:
- At least one dose of an updated mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 vaccine this year for those ages 5 and up.
- For those 6 months through 4 years, who may be getting their vaccines for the first time, two doses of a Moderna vaccine and three doses of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, with at least one of the doses being an updated 2023 shot are recommended.
- For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should have had at least three doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with at least one of those doses being an updated shot. They also have the option to get an additional updated vaccine later in the year.
Additionally, the CDC offers the following 10 tips for preventing the spread of infections in the workplace:
- Encourage all employees to get a seasonal flu vaccine each fall.
- Consider hosting a vaccine clinic at your workplace, if possible.
- Develop and review sick leave policies that encourage sick workers to stay at home.
- And stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Sick employees should be asked to go home.
- Develop other flexible policies to allow workers to stay home to care for sick family members or care for children if schools close.
- Instruct employees with a sick family member at home with the flu to monitor their health every day.
- Provide resources like tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, and/or hand sanitizer.
- Provide workers with up-to-date information on flu risk factors and preventive actions.
- Individuals at high risk for flu complications should take extra steps for prevention and seek medical attention right away if they do become sick with flu.
You can read the full article with additional tips and resources on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/prevent-flu-workplace.html