More Flu Vaccine Becomes Available

Government/business partnership gives Iowans vaccine options

Iowans concerned about the availability of flu vaccine received a major boost today following an announcement by state government and members of Iowa's insurance industry. The Iowa Department of Public Health announced that a number of Iowa health insurance carriers have determined independently that they currently cover or will cover the cost of a new flu vaccine called FluMist(tm) for their policyholders as long as the use of that vaccine follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and is a covered benefit. Those companies include Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc., Principal Financial Group, John Deere Health, Medical Associates Health Plan, Health Alliance Medical Plans and Iowa Health Solutions. Policyholders should be mindful of their health insurance benefits plan and coverage levels for preventive care benefits including immunizations and vaccinations. The cost of the FluMist vaccination, like any other covered benefits, would be subject to any co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible amounts outlined in the policyholders' benefit certificate.

FluMist is a nasal spray rather than the traditional injected vaccine and became available nationwide for the first time this year. The manufacturer (MedImmune Vaccines/Wyeth

Vaccines) says the product should only be used with healthy patients from age 5 to 49. FluMist is composed of a weakened, but live influenza flu virus, as opposed to the inactive virus in the injected vaccine. However, the end result of today's announcement is that the traditional flu shot can be reserved for patients, such as young children less than five years of age and people 50 and older, not eligible for FluMist.

"I applaud the decision by these insurers to independently step up and do their part to ease the flu vaccine shortage," said Dr. Mary Mincer Hansen, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health.