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Description/Background For over 10 years, Masspro has been an integral partner
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 formed a partners dedicated to
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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