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How is a universal purchase program created?

Universal vaccine purchase programs are created by state legislatures. Creating a universal purchase program involves: Passing state legislation authorizing assessments on payers, including insurers and third-party administrators. Gathering the support of stakeholders (payers, providers, state health officials). Assembling a vaccine board (either dependent or independent) to govern, provide transparency in fund collection and assessment setting

By |2020-06-16T16:09:29-04:00June 16th, 2020|, |0 Comments

What are the benefits of universal purchase programs?

There are many benefits to universal purchase programs including: Increase vaccine access. Stabilize vaccine funding. Lower healthcare costs. Establish benefit value incentive for physicians. Increase efficiency of vaccine ordering, tracking, delivery, and monitoring. Facilitate a multi-disciplinary board involvement to oversee process improvement, new vaccine review and implementation, financial transparency, and overall efficient operation.

By |2020-06-16T16:09:36-04:00June 16th, 2020|, |0 Comments

What does “universal vaccine purchase” mean?

Universal vaccine purchase is used to describe programs that procure all recommended vaccines by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Universal vaccine purchase enables the state health department to procure recommended vaccines and distribute them free of charge to private practices, clinics, hospitals, and other providers who administer vaccines to privately insured patients.

By |2020-06-16T16:10:10-04:00June 16th, 2020|, |0 Comments

Are state general funds needed to operate a universal vaccine purchase program?

No. Operating costs are built into the assessments. General operating costs generally decrease after the initial implementation phase. Further, most states include a modest reimbursement factor (typically in the 3-5% range) to reimbursement certain state costs associated with universal vaccine programs.

Is there a federal law that allows states to buy all ACIP recommended vaccines off the CDC contract?

Yes. In 1993, Congress passed the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Contained in the legislative language and further explained in the 103rd Congressional Record, Congress explicitly provided for state vaccine programs by stating that any state willing to provide vaccines to providers without cost for all children not already eligible through the VFC could purchase

By |2020-06-16T16:10:38-04:00June 16th, 2020|, |0 Comments
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