Preparing for the 2021-2022 Flu Season: Lessons Learned from COVID-19

Although flu season generally runs from October through April, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preparation is a year-round activity. The typical preparation providers and medical practices perform is routine and doesn’t vary much from year to year — except in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic added an unexpected complexity that upended typical flu season preparations but also provided some lessons learned for dealing with unusual public health circumstances. While we cannot predict what 2021 will bring, by examining the current flu season thus far, providers and practices can pick up a few principles to apply moving forward to better prepare for and adapt to future flu seasons.

Press Release: Atlantic Health Partners Announces Addition of Prevnar 13 to Program

Atlantic Health Partners, the nation’s premier buying group for physicians, health systems, physician organizations and medical practices, today announced the addition of Prevnar 13® to its vaccine program. Beginning January 1, 2021, Atlantic Health Partners’ members will have access to Pfizer’s pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine that protects against 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The HPV Vaccine: Expanding Its Role in Cancer Prevention

While the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was first designed to prevent cervical cancer, its role in cancer prevention has expanded to cover six types of cancer. Most recently, the FDA approved the HPV vaccine to prevent oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers. Explore the expanded benefits of the HPV vaccines and the impact these changes have on vaccine recommendations.

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Making the Flu Vaccine a Part of COVID-19 Precautions this Fall

Over the past six months, people have taken precautions to protect both themselves and their communities from the spread of COVID-19. Now, the upcoming flu season presents another opportunity for Americans to help keep each other healthy. Explore what effect the flu season may have when overlapping the pandemic and how providers can encourage patients to receive the flu vaccine as a preventative measure this fall.

The Importance of Child and Teen Immunization Amid COVID-19

The return to school each year often serves as a reminder for parents to review their children’s immunization records. While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic means that the start of this school year will look different for many, it does not lessen the importance of children getting vaccinated. Learn how the pandemic has impacted child vaccination and how providers can help boost immunizations this fall.

50 is the New 60: Making the Shingles Vaccine a Priority for Patients

Each year, it's estimated that millions of Americans are affected by shingles, yet only 33% of adults 60 years and older have received the shingles vaccine. The current health risks associated with COVID-19 further emphasize the need for patients to utilize all preventative measures, such as vaccines, to maintain their overall wellbeing. Explore why patients may think they don’t need the shingles vaccine and how providers can combat these perceptions.

Promoting Health Through Vaccine Uptake During the COVID-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all facets of the healthcare system, including providers and their patients. Some providers chose to close offices completely, while others rescheduled well-visits to future dates. Now as providers begin to re-welcome patients into their practice, there is an opportunity for providers to ensure that patients have received the vaccines they need.

Developing New Vaccines: From Clinical Trials to Your Practice

Scientists and manufacturers are working to develop a new vaccine that will protect against the COVID-19 virus. Though there is urgency surrounding the need for a coronavirus vaccine, there are many steps that go into the research, development, approval and manufacturing of a new vaccine. By understanding the vaccine development process, providers can ensure that their patients are well-educated about vaccine development and properly prepare their practices for any new vaccines that become available.

The Benefits of Pre-booking Vaccines for the 2020-2021 Flu Season

The unpredictability of this flu season is a reminder for practices that it’s never too early to begin preparation for the next flu season. As a part of this preparation, practices, workplace clinics, and other provider facilities must continuously reevaluate their influenza vaccine supply and plan in advance to ensure they are properly stocked. Pre-booking vaccines is the best way practices can proactively prepare for the upcoming flu season. Explore how organizations—and their patients—can benefit from pre-booking flu vaccines.

Early Childhood Vaccines: The Foundation for Lifelong Disease Prevention

The first 15 months of a child’s life are an important time within the vaccination schedule as an opportunity to establish initial protection against diseases like polio and hepatitis B. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children be vaccinated against 14 illnesses during the first two years of their life. Pediatricians and family physicians can play a major role in an infant’s immunity by engaging parents in ongoing discussions about what vaccines their child needs and when.

Medical Economics Magazine: How To Build an Efficient Vaccination Program

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Strong vaccination programs are a must for providers of all care settings aiming to keep patients safe from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet for many providers, running a vaccination program can also be an administrative burden. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Building an effective and profitable vaccination program is possible.

Our President, Jeff Winokur, spoke with Medical Economics about strategies for creating a vaccination program that not only improves health outcomes for patients, but also provides a financial return for practices.

Read the article.

Be Prepared: Protecting Vaccine Supplies Before, During and After a Disaster

Preparation is an important aspect of everyday practice management and success, and it is never more critical than when a disaster strikes. Common disasters that affect vaccine supply, include national vaccine shortages, as well as severe weather. Emergency preparedness for these situations means practices have concrete plans in advance to ensure that both providers and staff are ready to handle a future crisis and provide needed support to patients.