CDC Issues Urgent Call for Immunization of High-risk Groups

CDC Issues Urgent Call for

Immunization of High-risk Groups

By David S. MacDougall

WASHINGTON, DC—Infectious disease experts from the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued an

urgent recommendation for the early vaccination of high-risk individuals against influenza and

pneumococcal disease, and Medicare has increased vaccination reimbursement. The first available doses have been designated for high-risk persons through October 24 (Table

1, page 7). Thereafter, the vaccines will be available to everyone else as long as supplies last.

“We’re asking those who provide influenza vaccine to give the first available doses to people in our priority groups and to health care providers who have contact with patients or people in the priority groups,” said CDC Director Julie Gerberding, MD, at a meeting held at the National Press Club.