Opinion
Adults forgo vaccinations because of poor coverage, limited reimbursement
LETTER — Posted March 10, 2008
Regarding "Adults proving a tough target for shingles shot" (Article, Feb. 11): Before the American Medical News story appeared, it was reported on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" program. The public health practitioners were dumbfounded [as to] why the vaccination rate is so low.
As a physician in private practice, I can tell them the obvious reason. Adult vaccines are poorly covered by most health insurance.
How do we encourage adults to obtain vaccinations at $130 to $150 per dose when these same people can't afford their blood pressure and diabetes medicines?
In addition, a large number of our patients are retirees of General Motors who have not had to incur out-of-pocket expenses and will not pay those costs.
We need an effective system of vaccine coverage so that we can increase the percentage of adults receiving available vaccines.
Low vaccination rates are a consequence of poor coverage for patients and limited reimbursement to private-practice physicians who cannot purchase low-priced vaccines.
John Kemerer, DO, Saginaw, Mich.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/03/10/edlt0310.htm.
