September 21, 2023
As you may have heard, on Tuesday, September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved two mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for individuals six months and older. The updated Novavax vaccine is still under review, but the current formulation of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is still available.
Under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, people with commercial health insurance plans through the government or their employer can receive vaccines at no cost. Moderna and Pfizer reported that the list prices of their vaccines are $120-$130 per dose. We don’t know how that pricing will translate to the commercial market or what the cost will be to plans.
In addition to the newly approved vaccines, the CDC is recommending everyone receive a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine this year. Also, people may want to consider getting the RSV vaccine if they're over 60 and have weakened immune systems. Federal health experts suggest people talk to their providers about the pros and cons of receiving the RSV vaccine especially if they are younger individuals, parents, or are currently pregnant. The CDC does recommend getting the flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time. Since it can take up to two weeks for any vaccine to become fully effective, recommendations are to get your shots before the end of October when flu season tends to begin.
It’s important to take preventive measures — like hosting a workplace program for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations — to limit the spread of infection in the workplace.
In-network seasonal immunization providers
To help you establish a workplace vaccination program, Premera provides a handy Seasonal Immunization Provider List you can use to contact in-network providers to set up workplace COVID-19 and/or flu shot clinics. This list was recently updated with the most current information.
Recommendations
Recommendations from the CDC include the following:
- At least one dose of an updated mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 vaccine this year for those ages five and up.
- For those six months through four years who may be getting their vaccines for the first time, two doses of a Moderna vaccine or three doses of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine are recommended. At least one of the doses should be an updated 2023 shot.
- For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, they should have at least three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with at least one of those doses being an updated shot. They also have the option to get an additional updated vaccine later in the year.
Additionally, the CDC offers the following 10 tips for preventing the spread of infections in the workplace:
- Encourage all employees to get a seasonal flu vaccine each fall.
- Consider hosting a vaccine clinic at your workplace, if possible.
- Develop and review sick leave policies that encourage sick workers to stay at home.
- Support individuals staying at home for at least 24 hours after their fever (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- Ask employees that are sick to stay at home.
- Develop other flexible policies to allow workers to stay home to care for sick family members or to care for children if schools close.
- Instruct employees to closely monitor their own health if a family member is sick with the flu at home.
- Provide resources like tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, and/or hand sanitizer.
- Provide workers with up-to-date information on flu risk factors and preventive actions.
- Keep in mind that individuals that are high risk for flu complications should take extra steps for prevention and seek medical attention right away if they do become sick with the flu.
You can read the full article with additional tips and resources on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/prevent-flu-workplace.html