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Description/Background
For over 14 years, Masspro has provided leadership in increasing adult immunization rates in Massachusetts, particularly in the areas of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. In 1995, Masspro and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Immunization Program formed the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC), along with other state and local health agencies. The Coalition's primary aim is to increase increasing adult immunization through education, networking and sharing innovative approaches.
The cost of influenza, a vaccine-preventable illness, is evident judging from both the financial toll and morbidity and mortality it causes annually. Nationally, the flu kills an average of 36,000 people per year and hospitalizes 114,000. In Massachusetts, approximately 800 people die annually,
and 2,600 are hospitalized.
According to a report released by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the return on investment related to influenza vaccination is significant: for each person vaccinated, the savings is $47, including $6 of direct medical cost savings, and $41 attributed to less time spent away from work1. It’s also estimated that vaccination can decrease the rate of illness by 25%, the number of sick days by 43%, and the number of doctor’s office visits by 44%.
Otherwise, employers could experience a per employee, per influenza episode cost of five-to-six sick days in addition to a period of fatigue or lowered productivity that may last for weeks. Non-immunized workers have an absenteeism rate that is 36% higher than immunized workers2.
Overall, annual influenza-related direct costs have been estimated at $1 to $12 billion, depending on the severity of the season.
Masspro’s immunization services have been funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and by educational grants from pharmaceutical firms. The program continues to be dedicated to furnishing providers with the information and tools necessary to facilitate adult immunization in community, hospital, home health, nursing home, physician practice settings, and among the state’s underserved populations.
We also disseminate educational materials to providers and the public to reinforce the importance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, and promote programs that offer reimbursement for immunization activities. In more recent years, our work has expanded to focusing on health care worker immunization across the care continuum and developing a Web site listing public flu clinics in Massachusetts and border cities and
towns.
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