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CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, (608)
266-5862
INSURED FAMILIES NEED TO SCHEDULE CHILDREN’S VACCINATIONS WITH THEIR
PHYSICIANS STARTING OCTOBER 1
MADISON—Beginning October 1, families with health insurance will need
to schedule their children’s vaccination appointments with their health
care provider rather than at local health departments, state health
officials confirmed this week. A recent change in federal policy
requires state-supplied vaccines to be targeted to children not covered
by insurance.
Due to the state’s widespread pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak,
state-supplied pertussis vaccines will still be provided to any child
visiting a local health department, regardless of whether they have
insurance coverage, and state-supplied seasonal influenza vaccine will
also be available to all children during the 2012-2013 flu season.
“All families will still be able to access these essential services,”
said Karen McKeown, Wisconsin Division of Public Health administrator.
“Families with insurance that covers vaccinations should schedule
appointments with their family physician, and those without insurance,
or whose insurance does not cover immunizations, can still visit their
local health departments to immunize their children.”
Parents are encouraged to contact their insurance company if they are
uncertain whether their insurance covers vaccinations.
Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which
provides publicly-purchased vaccines to children enrolled in or eligible
for Medicaid and BadgerCare, and Native Americans and Alaskans aged 18
and younger, can continue to receive immunizations from participating
public and private healthcare providers.
McKeown noted that immunization is the best way to protect children
from many diseases that are potentially harmful and sometimes deadly,
and encouraged parents to make sure children are up-to-date on their
immunizations.
Families can visit the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to find out
which immunizations their child needs:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/publicaccess.htm.
For information on the Wisconsin Immunization Program:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/index.htm.
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Last Revised:
September 17, 2012
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