A backlog in childhood immunizations during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to health officials, might lead to outbreaks of other avoidable diseases after school resume in the fall. Routine vaccinations decreased substantially early in the epidemic, and while they started to rise up last summer, many children and teens still need their doses, according to a recent report external link from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Delays could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough.
- Immunization: To improve vaccination rates, BCBSTX and the Texas Department of State Health Services external link are working together to more accurately determine which members are behind on immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases, including COVID-19. The state agency, which collects immunization records for all Texans, provides BCBSTX monthly updates the insurer uses to identify and reach out to members in need of vaccinations.
- Expansion: The effort began last year to boost vaccination rates for BCBSTX Medicaid members, but has expanded to include all plan members. It has helped increase BCBSTX vaccination rate tracking as much as 50%. “Even though we’re fighting this pandemic, we have to be mindful of these diseases we thought were eradicated,” says Dr. Leslie Weisberg, market chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX).
- Specific areas: “Having these immunization records is a really big deal for our members, communities, and providers,” says Sara Daugherty, BCBSTX executive director. “It will help us better target member interventions at both the individual member level and community health level to target specific areas of the state which may need immunization and vaccine education and support.”
- Collaboration: The new collaboration allows BCBSTX to track immunizations, no matter where members got them or whether an insurance claim was filed — doctor’s offices, health departments, retail pharmacies or mobile health clinics. “Immunization tracking has been a terrific tool for us,” Weisberg says. “This provides a more focused approach to our outreach.”
- Remedies: “A lot of folks don’t get vaccinations from their primary care provider,” says Patti Schauf, BCBSTX compliance and risk management director. Members sometimes go to public health departments and community clinics for immunizations.