Expanding the Vaccine for Children Program
What is the problem?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should receive two doses of the influenza vaccine by 24 months. However, the current vaccination rate for influenza is low with only 58.7% of children being fully vaccinated. There is also significant variation across socioeconomic status. Approximately 74% of children with private insurance have been vaccinated, but this decreases to 46% for children insured through Medicaid or CHIP and 37% for children uninsured.
Why is it important?
In 2022, there were 48.5 million prescriptions for antibiotics in the United States. This equates to approximately 60% of the population receiving at least one prescription for an antibiotic in 2022. Research has concluded that there are seasonal peaks in antibiotic prescribing with most antibiotics prescribed during cold and influenza season despite antibiotics not being indicated for influenza. It is estimated that 40% of patients receive an inappropriate antibiotic for a viral respiratory infection such as influenza, COVID-19 or RSV. The inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of drug resistance, making existing antibiotics ineffective. To reduce the probability of receiving an inappropriate prescription for antibiotics, we must reduce the risk of contracting or spreading a viral respiratory infection. This can be achieved by increasing vaccination rates for influenza. It has been established that increased vaccination rates are associated with a reduction in antibiotic use.
What is the solution?
To increase influenza vaccination rates amongst children eligible to participate in the Vaccine For Children (VFC) program, the CDC must clarify that the only requirement to be a VFC provider is the ability to administer a vaccine in the state that they are registered. By increasing pharmacists' participation in the VFC program, vaccination rates should increase because it expands who can provide vaccines, provides vaccines at locations that are near where people live and that are more prevalent than doctors' offices, and makes vaccines available during traditional pharmacist's hours, including weekends and evenings.