News Archives | VaxCare

Federal Court Hits Pause on Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule

VaxCare Staff — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule in the ongoing case American Academy of Pediatrics et al. v. Kennedy et al. The appointments of the 13 newest members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and all votes cast by those appointees, have also been put on hold. The ruling does not resolve the case but does put key policy changes on pause while the lawsuit moves forward.

Executive Summary of Changes

The childhood immunization schedule reverts to pre-January 2026 guidance.
ACIP cannot meet or take action with its current membership. The March 18–19 meeting has been postponed.
All vaccine recommendation changes made since May 2025 are temporarily on hold.

What the Order Does

01 Stays the Schedule Revision

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) memo that reduced the number of routinely recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 is temporarily blocked. The memo, issued by HHS in January, impacted several long-standing recommendations of the ACIP, including those for the use of Hepatitis B, Meningococcal B and Meningococcal ACWY, RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and several others. The updated childhood immunization schedule reverts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that existed prior to May 2025. This aligns with the recommendations of several professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

02 Stays the ACIP Member Appointments

The appointments of 13 ACIP members are stayed, meaning those individuals cannot serve on the committee while the case proceeds. The court found that the appointment process likely did not comply with Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements. The ruling noted that:

While the judge did not suggest that the members of the ACIP are not experts in their respective fields, he did conclude that fewer than half of the members had meaningful, vaccine-related expertise, “the very focus of ACIP”.
The judge further determined that the committee as reconstituted was not “fairly balanced.”
The replacement of all 17 members without established outreach or vetting practices undermined the committee’s legitimacy.

03 Stays All Votes Taken by the Reconstituted ACIP

All votes taken by the now-stayed committee members are temporarily blocked, reverting vaccine recommendations to those that were in effect prior to May 2025. This includes the vote to eliminate the universal birth dose recommendation for hepatitis B and changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and healthy children.

Timeline of Key Events

	March 16, 2026 The Court Responds Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction in part, temporarily blocking key changes made by HHS to the childhood immunization schedule, and staying the appointments to ACIP made since June 2025. The legality of the appointments remains a central issue in the case.
	January 5, 2026 Revised Childhood Schedule is Announced On January 5, 2026, the then-Acting Director of the CDC, Jim O’Neill signed a decision memorandum accepting recommendations from a federal review of U.S. childhood immunization practices. The agency said the updated framework would organize vaccines into three categories: Vaccines that are recommended for all children. Vaccines that are recommended for certain high-risk groups. Vaccines that are recommended based on shared clinical decision-making. The changes were made without a formal vote or recommendation from ACIP. HHS stated that the revised schedule was based on a review of immunization practices in 20 peer nations and that all vaccines would continue to be covered by insurance without cost-sharing. The AAP, the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 200 other medical organizations stated that they would continue to follow the AAP’s evidence-based recommendations rather than follow the new, shared clinical decision-making guidelines of the revised federal schedule.
	December 5, 2025 Presidential Memorandum Issued A Presidential Memorandum directed the HHS Secretary and the Acting CDC Director to review how other developed nations structure their childhood vaccine schedules and to update the U.S. schedule if their review identified approaches with stronger outcomes.
	July 7, 2025 The Lawsuit is Filed The case, AAP et al. v. Kennedy et al., initially challenged the May 2025 changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, alleging that recent changes were arbitrary and failed to comply with procedures required under the Administrative Procedure Act. It also challenges the reconstitution of the ACIP, alleging this action violated federal law.
	June 9, 2025 All Sitting ACIP Members Removed HHS announced on June 9, 2025 that all 17 sitting ACIP members had been removed. The department said the decision was intended to restore public trust and address alleged conflicts of interest on the committee. New members were appointed on June 11, 2025, with additional appointments on September 11, 2025 and January 13, 2026.

What’s Next

This remains a developing federal policy matter that providers, practice leaders, and vaccine program stakeholders should continue to monitor closely. The March 16 court order represents a significant, but temporary event. While the challenged January 2026 schedule changes and recent ACIP appointments are on hold, the case is still actively moving through the courts, and an appeal is likely.

While next steps will depend on the outcome of the appeal process, VaxCare’s policy team is continuing to closely monitor federal guidance, medical society recommendations, updates to payer policy, and operational considerations for practices.

There are currently no changes to VaxCare’s platforms, workflows, or operational models as a result of these developments.

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The post Federal Court Hits Pause on Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule appeared first on VaxCare.

Let’s Bring Vaccinations Back to Primary Care

VaxCare Staff — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 16:00:13 +0000

In the face of a U.S. healthcare system striving to balance a fragmented structure, primary care practices must stand steadfastly as the vanguard while wrestling with pressing issues like adequate compensation, staffing deficits, and escalating expenses. Amid these persistent challenges, it’s imperative that we remain anchored to a pivotal cornerstone of our practice: immunizing our patients to ensure both their individual health and the collective well-being of our communities.

Vaccines are among the paramount achievements in public health over the last century. For those of us in the trenches daily, vaccine-preventable diseases aren’t merely topics from our medical textbooks. We witness, often more frequently than we’d like, the anguish these preventable diseases can inflict.

Yet, the past decade has borne witness to a significant shift in primary care vaccination programs. Due to the increasing financial constraints, these critical programs are frequently sidelined. This isn’t due to a lack of understanding or appreciation. The costs associated with procuring, storing, and managing a vaccine program can strain a practice’s financial health, especially those catering to families.

Here are 3 timely reminders about why a primary care practice (PCP) vaccine program is an essential benefit to patients:

1. Better adherence

Trust lies at the heart of the patient-physician relationship. When a patient or a patient’s parent is unsure or apathetic about receiving a vaccine, their doctor’s guidance is pivotal in allaying fears or overcoming indifference. Research indicates that if a practice doesn’t offer vaccinations and directs patients elsewhere, a significant number do not complete the immunization process.

2. Better response to adverse reactions

The primary care clinician’s intimate knowledge of the administered vaccine allows for timely and appropriate care of an adverse reaction. This professional will also be aware of any pre-existing conditions that could render certain vaccines unsuitable.

3. Better overall care

Primary care practitioners recognize the interconnected nature of health. When a patient visits for a vaccine, it provides a chance for a comprehensive health check. While administering the vaccine, other health irregularities might be spotted, or patients might voice other health concerns. A routine vaccination appointment can open the door to broader health discussions, revealing more profound issues like depression, food insecurity, domestic strife, or other challenges. This offers a chance for intervention, both traditionally and in ways that holistically contribute to the patient’s well-being.

Integrating robust vaccine programs in our primary care practices not only positions us to address immediate health needs but also lays a foundation for a more health-conscious future. We are reasserting that prevention is primary, and community well-being is a priority. We can strive to ensure that every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for, and where the health of communities thrives.

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New Pneumococcal Vaccines: Important Facts to Know

VaxCare Staff — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:00:01 +0000

The next generation of pneumococcal vaccines is here, offering new vaccine options for physicians to protect patients from a disease that still sends about 1.3 million people in the U.S. to emergency rooms each year. While welcome, these new vaccines include overlapping serotypes and recommended target groups, which may make clinical decision-making more confusing.

The History of the Pneumococcal Vaccine

The first pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumovax 14, was approved for use in the United States in 1977. It was a polysaccharide vaccine that contained 14 different strains of streptococcus pneumoniae—of which there are about 100 different serotypes. That first vaccine was replaced in 1983 by another polysaccharide vaccine that contained even more serotypes, Pneumovax 23, PPSV23, which covers 23 strains accounting for most cases of invasive disease—including bacterial pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis—and is still in use today for some patient populations.

Science marched on, and in 2000, a new, structurally distinct “conjugate” vaccine was approved, Prevnar 7, PCV7, followed in 2008 by PCV13, which is still given as part of routine childhood vaccinations and to adults with additional risk factors or indicators.

Conjugate vs Polysaccharides

Conjugate vaccines are more robust than the polysaccharide vaccine. They prompt a stronger and more lasting immune response, but they cover fewer serotypes. So, to assure the broadest coverage and strongest immune response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recommended PCV13, a conjugate vaccine, for all children to give long-lasting and robust coverage of the most common strains. For adults 65 and older, who suffer 80% of invasive pneumococcal disease, PPSV23, remained the recommended vaccine, as it covers a greater number of bacterial strains than the conjugate PCV13.

But these recommendations have caveats. For persons 2 and older with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, both vaccines are recommended, with the conjugate vaccine given first, followed by PPSV23. In adults 65 and older, if doctor and patient choose, both vaccines also can be given, once again with the conjugate first followed by the broader polysaccharide, one year apart.

New Coverage, New Options

In October 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an expert panel of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approved two new conjugate vaccines, PCV15, made by Merck, and PCV20, made by Pfizer.

“We were already giving PCV13 followed by PPSV23, and now we have new kids on the block,’’ says Dr. Wanda Filer, Chief Medical Officer at VaxCare. “The new recommendation is PCV 15 plus PPSV23, or PCV 20 alone. You can do just the PCV 20 and get a strong response against the 20 serotypes in the vaccine, but three strains will remain uncovered.’’

While Prevnar13 is approved for children and adults, she says, the new vaccines—Merck’s PCV 15, called Vaxneuvance, and Pfizer’s Prevnar 20—are for adults only, at least until pediatric studies are reported, possibly within a year. This may add to the complexity of recommendations.

We were already giving PCV13 followed by PPSV23, and now we have two new kids on the block: PCV 15 plus PPSV23, or PCV 20 alone.

Results of those studies are eagerly anticipated, especially given the significant public health impact seen with the first wave of childhood vaccination to prevent pneumococcal infection, Dr. Filer says. “Once we started immunizing children against pneumococcal in 2000, it became clear the vaccine was highly effective,’’ she says. “Rates of illness in children improved dramatically, plunging 90% since 2008, according to the CDC, and we don’t see nearly the number of ear infections we used to.”

But the impact went beyond children’s health, resulting in a spillover effect that also has reduced the rate of disease in adults, she adds. “The vaccine lowered the number of bacteria in children’s noses, so when they hugged their grandparents and teachers, they were less likely to pass along infection,’’ she says. With routine vaccination of children, “the actual amount of pneumococcal disease in older adults dropped precipitously,’’ she says. Because of that, in 2019, the ACIP changed its recommendation for people 65 and older from a two-vaccine regimen to “shared decision making’’ on whether to administer PCV13 in addition to PPSV23.

All the changes can be perplexing for patients and clinicians alike, says Dr. Filer. “As a physician,’’ she says, “it can be incredibly confusing with several different pneumococcal vaccines in the refrigerator. We find it is not uncommon in a busy practice for somebody to pull out the wrong vial.’’

The ACIP always strives to balance public health with the economic realities associated with the cost of new vaccines, Dr. Filer says, and as new data comes in, more changes may be coming. Stay tuned.

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Your Essential Guide to Respiratory Vaccines This Season (2024–25)

VaxCare Staff — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:00:16 +0000

Originally prepared for VaxCare partners, hosts Ruth Carrico (VaxCare Medical Affairs Lead) and Steven Sorrells (VaxCare Chief Operating Officer) walk us through the strategic and operational considerations you’ll need to keep in mind as you and your staff prepare for the arrival of flu, RSV, and COVID this respiratory season.

Video Timestamps

ACIP Updates (7:21)

Flu (10:47)
RSV (19:20)
Processing Med D With VaxCare (22:05)
COVID (22:58)

Respiratory Season with VaxCare (39:24)

New Forecasting Tool (39:33)
Vaccine Adherence (40:37)
Shipping Timelines (42:45)

Q&A (47:27)

Coadministration (47:38)
COVID Seasonality (50:47)
Pediatric RSV Insurance Coverage (52:31)
Special Orders (59:06)

Video References

[1] (2024, June 25). Comparison of COVID-19 and Influenza-Related Outcomes in the United States during Fall-Winter 2022-2023: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study (NIH). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38248367/
[2] (2024, June 25). ACIP Live Meeting Archive (ACIP). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/acip-live-meeting-archive-february-28-29-2024.html
[3] (2024, June 25). Recombinant or Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccine in Adults under 65 Years of Age (NEJM, NIH). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2302099, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38091531/
[4] (2024, June 25). CDC Immunization Schedules (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html
[5] (2024, June 25). RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html
[6] (2024, June 25). Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine During Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Disease in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC, NIH). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7241e1.htm, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37824423/
[7] (2024, June 25). RSV in Infants and Young Children (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/index.html
[8] (2024, June 25). COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations among Infants, Children and Adults (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-09-12/03-covid-havers-508.pdf (PDF)
[9] (2024, June 25). Comparison of Influenza and COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among Children < 18 Years Old in the United States (OUP, NIH). https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/76/3/e450/6589788, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9129156/
[10] (2024, June 25). Recommendation for the 2023-2024 Formula of COVID-19 Vaccines in the U.S. (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/media/169591/download
[11] (2024, June 25). Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2024 (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/updated-covid-19-vaccines-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2024
[12] (2024, June 25). Getting a Flu Vaccine and other Recommended Vaccines at the Same Time (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/coadministration.htm
[13] (2024, June 25). Considerations for Coadministering COVID, Flu and/or RSV Vaccines this Fall (IDSA). https://idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/vaccines/considerations-for-coadministering-covid-flu-andor-rsv-vaccines-this-fall/
[14] (2024, June 25). Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/index.html
[15] (2024, June 25). Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/influenza-hospitalization-surveillance.htm
[16] (2024, June 25). COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET) (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-net.html
[17] (2024, June 25). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET) (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/php/surveillance/rsv-net.html

Additional Resources
For more information on vaccine management and healthcare compliance, including best practices, training opportunities, and relevant updates on immunization programs, we recommend:

World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/en/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Immunize.org: https://www.immunize.org/

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Introducing VaxCare 3.0

VaxCare Staff — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 16:00:44 +0000

We’re thrilled to introduce VaxCare 3.0, our most anticipated upgrade yet, designed to elevate your vaccine management experience to new heights. Get ready to unlock a world of streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and exceptional patient care.

With VaxCare 3.0, we’ve listened to your valuable feedback and now offer a seamless checkout experience, improved vaccine eligibility messaging, and a streamlined billing process to prevent chargebacks.

What’s New in VaxCare 3.0

A single intuitive checkout experience for all patients using the new VaxCare Mobile Hub
Improved patient vaccine eligibility with clear and simple messaging
A streamlined and simplified billing process that eliminates chargebacks

Feedback from Partners

We are thrilled to share the feedback from our beta testers who have experienced the power of VaxCare 3.0 firsthand. According to one partner,

“With 3.0, everything is right at the hands of my staff for them to complete the immunization.”

This glowing testimonial speaks volumes about the new convenience and efficiency that VaxCare 3.0 brings to your practice. With 3.0 the mobile hubs further optimize your encounters, ensuring efficiency and ease of use. This new feature set keeps the office moving, highlighted by another partner who stated,

“The 3.0 mobile hubs have streamlined our encounters even more.”

With VaxCare 3.0, you can expect a transformative vaccine management experience. All the tools you need will be right at your fingertips, empowering your staff to complete immunizations seamlessly.

When can we enroll?

Each practice will receive ample notification and dedicated training to ensure a smooth and successful onboarding process. Our team will contact you individually to guide you through the transition, address concerns, and provide support. We understand that change can be daunting, so we are committed to making this process seamless. Our goal is to bring you live on the new platform between now and the end of the year, giving you sufficient time to familiarize yourself with the enhanced features of VaxCare 3.0. We are here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring a positive and empowering experience for your practice.

The post Introducing VaxCare 3.0 appeared first on VaxCare.

VaxCare Reviews: See What VaxCare Users Are Saying

VaxCare Staff — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:00:21 +0000

At VaxCare, we’re dedicated to making vaccinations simple and accessible for both providers and patients by solving the common (and uncommon!) problems today’s healthcare practices are facing.

Curious how VaxCare can transform vaccinations for your practice? You’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find reviews from some of the 5,000+ providers we’ve partnered with, offering a glimpse into the impact VaxCare has on the day-to-day operations within their practice.

MOST RECENT VAXCARE REVIEW

[VaxCare] helps a lot with inventory and vaccine management, I highly recommend it.

Santiago S.
Systems Technician
Full Review at Capterra: You can take care with VaxCare

VaxCare Customer Video Testimonials

More Customer Testimonials:
https://vocalvideo.com/galleries/vaxcare-customer-testimonials

VaxCare Customer Case Studies

More Case Studies:
https://www.vaxcare.com/blog/tag/vaxcare-case-study/

What could be better than having no overhead, a constant supply of vaccines, and good reimbursement?

Dr. Steven A. Shapiro
Founder
Pediatric Medical Associates
Full Case Study: Pediatric Medical Associates: Increasing Vaccine Profits While Improving Care

We never have to worry about turning someone away and sending them to their neighborhood pharmacy. We always have exactly what we need on hand.

Doris Pitts
Medical Assistant Supervisor
Greenhouse Internists
Full Case Study: Greenhouse Internists: A Cure for Flu Season

We’ve got seven providers with patients rolling through every 20 minutes. I love that VaxCare does all the work for you.

Sarah Tasman
Practice Manager
Memorial Primary Care
Full Case Study: Memorial Health: A Simple, Unified, All-Practice Vaccine Solution

VaxCare’s automation cuts the steps needed for data entry in half, which allows our staff to focus on other tasks.

Eric Misthal
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner
Chester County Health Department
Full Case Study: Chester County Flu Clinics: Streamlining Processes and Reducing Errors

VaxCare is so easy to use and intuitive—and I’m not technical at all!

Gretchen Spino, RN
Nurse Supervisor
Chester County Health Department
Full Case Study: How Chester County Streamlined Their COVID-19 Vaccinations with VaxCare

Other VaxCare Reviews

It is super easy to use and is phenomenal in maintaining inventory, tracking discrepancies and makes the overall management of vaccines so easy.

Deirdre C.
NRCMA
Full Review at Capterra: Best Partner for Vaccines

VaxCare has freed up our money so we don’t have to purchase vaccines for thousands of dollars yearly and we are tracking the vaccines so much easier now.

Kim W.
Office Manager
Full Review at Capterra: Why did we wait so long to use VaxCare?

The product is easy to use. We like how it migrates patient info/ins to our EMR program. The weekly/monthly vaccine counts helps keep us on track inputting all vaccines given during our busy times.

Susan P.
Office Manager
Full Review at Capterra: User Friendly Product

The post VaxCare Reviews: See What VaxCare Users Are Saying appeared first on VaxCare.

ACIP Roundup: Changes to the 2023 Immunization Schedule (Oct 2022)

VaxCare Staff — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 17:00:01 +0000

It’s tough to keep up with all of the changes happening in the world of vaccines.

That’s why, as a service to our partners (and any other interested parties, welcome!), we’re going to start providing a regular summary of the changes and additions to the 2023 immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, the most recent of which was held in October 2022.

Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Changes

In October 2022, the ACIP made changes to the 2023 immunization schedule for children and adolescents that include new or updated recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Updated Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccine
(The CDC’s VaxAdvisor app is a great resource for figuring out which pneumo vaccine to give your patients and when.)

PCV15 has been added to the routine immunization schedule: language was added stating that 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and PCV15 can be used interchangeably in both healthy children and those with any risk for invasive pneumococcal disease.
Language for the minimum interval between doses 3 and 4 has been revised to clarify when a fourth dose is indicated. The text now reads “This dose is only necessary for children aged 12–59 months regardless of risk, or aged 60–71 months with any risk, who received 3 doses before age 12 months.”

Updated Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccine

A new row has been added with the columns for age 6 months–18 years highlighted in yellow to indicate the recommended age for COVID-19 vaccine (available here).
A new section was added to provide additional details on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. The Routine Vaccination section describes the recommendations for primary series in the general population, and the Special Situations section describes the recommendations for primary series in persons who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. For booster dose vaccination in all populations, and guidance for Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine recipients, hyperlinks are included referring healthcare providers to the latest guidance. In addition, hyperlinks to the current COVID-19 vaccination schedules, use of COVID-19 preexposure prophylaxis in persons who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, as well as Emergency Use Authorization indications for COVID-19 vaccines, have been added.

Adult Immunization Schedule Changes

In October 2022, the ACIP made changes to the 2023 immunization schedule for adults that include new or updated recommendations for influenza vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines.

Updated Recommendations for Influenza Vaccine

Information was added to the routine vaccination section for persons aged ≥65 years stating that any one of quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine, quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine, or quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine is preferred for this age group.

Updated Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccine
The section has been substantially updated to reflect ACIP’s new recommendations for the use of PCV15 and PCV20 in persons who previously received pneumococcal vaccines. (The CDC’s VaxAdvisor app is a great resource for figuring out which pneumo vaccine to give your patients and when.)

For those who have not previously received a dose of PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20 or whose previous vaccination history is unknown: 1 dose PCV15 OR 1 dose PCV20. If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 given at least 1 year after the PCV15 dose. A minimum interval of 8 weeks between PCV15 and PPSV23 can be considered for adults with an immunocompromising condition, cochlear implant, or cerebrospinal fluid leak to minimize the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by serotypes unique to PPSV23 in these vulnerable groups.
For those who have previously received both PCV13 and PPSV23, AND PPSV23 was received at age 65 years or older, based on shared clinical decision-making, 1 dose of PCV20 should be administered at least 5 years after the last pneumococcal vaccine dose.
For those who have previously received only PCV13, 1 dose PCV20 at least 1 year after the PCV13 dose OR complete the recommended PPSV23 series as described here.

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What’s New in Adult Vaccines 2022

VaxCare Staff — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:00:07 +0000

There’s been a lot of talk about the two new pneumococcal vaccines that hit the 2022 schedule—as well as the simplified recommendations for these products—but there are a few other important changes to 2022’s vaccination schedule worth discussing.

Updated Recommendations for Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

ACIP voted to recommend two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix: GlaxoSmithKline/GSK) for adults age 19 and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or therapy. For immunocompetent adults, Shingrix is intended to be administered in two doses, two to six months apart. However, for adults who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to known disease or therapy and who would benefit from a shorter vaccination schedule, the second dose can be administered one to two months after the first dose.

Updated Recommendations for Hepatitis B Vaccine

ACIP now recommends that the hepatitis B vaccine be given to all adults through age 59 and adults age 60 and older with any risk factors for HBV infection, following the celebrated vote on this matter in November of 2021. This update serves as a natural extension of the existing routine childhood recommendations and helps to address the 20,700 acute hepatitis B infections in the U.S. every year. It’s also in keeping with the goal of the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis to reduce HBV infections by 90% and HBV-related deaths by 65% by 2030.

There’s lots more to know in another busy year of vaccines. Our Vaccine Roadmap 2022 has this and other important information to keep you informed and your patients protected. See below to download your copy.

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Our Medical Directors: COVID-19 Vaccinated

VaxCare Staff — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:00:23 +0000

Many of VaxCare’s Medical Directors have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and we couldn’t be more proud.

Karen Smith, MD (North Carolina)
Evan Saulino, MD (Oregon)
Chuck Thornbury, MD (Kentucky)
Robert A. Lee, MD (Iowa)
Michelle Walsh, MD (Nebraska)
Wanda Filer, MD (Pennsylvania)
Glen Madrid, MD (Colorado)
Arnie Pallay, MD (New Jersey)
Kimberly Becher, MD (West Virginia)
John Eplee, MD (Kansas)
Michael J. Ramsey MD (Alabama)

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Meet Our Newest Medical Director: Dr. Andrew Pasternak (Nevada)

Wanda Filer, MD, MBA, FAAFP — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:00:05 +0000

When Michigan native Dr. Andy Pasternak finished his residency in family medicine and master’s program in epidemiology/preventive medicine at the University of Wisconsin, he wasn’t sure where he and his wife, an anesthesiologist, would start their careers. One trip to visit a friend in Reno was enough to make them fall in love with the area—so much in fact, that they packed up the moving van and headed west like modern-day pioneers.

Over his past two decades, Dr. Pasternak has built a highly respected and successful practice offering family medicine, a sports and fitness lab, and travel medicine services. “I wanted to build a different kind of practice,” Pasternak says, “One that puts the patient and the community first and makes everything about getting care convenient, timely, professional, and of high quality.”

Having a strong vaccination program has been central to that commitment, and over the years, Pasternak has become something of an immunization guru in Nevada. He’s a board member and chair of the vaccination advocacy committee for Immunize Nevada, and as president-elect of the Nevada State Medical Association, he’s been heavily involved in championing vaccine issues in his state’s legislature.

Pasternak joined the VaxCare team as a medical director at the start of 2021 because he knows firsthand how hard it can be to keep a vaccine program running profitably. Numbers like paying $160 per shingles vaccine with an average reimbursement of $95 and doubling costs of his overall vaccine program—from $60k in costs for Q4 2019 to $115k in Q4 2020—were weighing on his practice. “On top of everything else going on in the world right now, this is just so frustrating,” he says. “It’s one reason I get so involved, and why I’m excited to partner with VaxCare.”

He doesn’t long to go back to the old days “where you just bought a refrigerator from Sears and put your vaccines in,” but he does see how hard it is for practices to make the more complex vaccine programs of today work: the monitoring, the logging, the inventory counts. “VaxCare can have a huge positive impact, especially for small practices like mine,” he concludes. “Their vaccine management platform gives us one less thing to worry about.”

Above: Dr. Pasternak and his wife Joanne administer COVID-19 vaccines on their 25th wedding anniversary.
L/R: Dr. Pasternak before and after receiving his COVID-19 shot.

His passion for immunization comes from a unique and unlikely source: anti-vaxxers.

“In a strange way, the energy behind the anti-vaccine movement we’ve seen over the past decade or so inspired me to get more active,” Pasternak says. “I knew we had to be a stronger force to counteract it. And my patients helped, too. it’s amazing to talk to my patients who are in their 70s and 80s about what life was like before the polio vaccine.”

“It felt great to be on the front lines of making vaccine history in our community.”

Since the release of the first COVID-19 vaccine, Pasternak has been working with other practices to navigate the vaccine rollout. He also successfully petitioned county officials on behalf of 38 medical offices in his area. “Our office complex received 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine,” Pasternak says. “And though my wife and I were supposed to celebrate our 25th anniversary the weekend they arrived, I said, ‘Hey Joanne, want to come help me vaccinate instead?’” His wife agreed, and their anniversary turned into a different kind of celebration (shown above). “She’s incredible, and she knows how important this is. We got through half of the 200 vaccines that first day using a drive-through model, and though we were completely exhausted by the end of the day, it was fun. And it felt great to be on the front lines of making vaccine history in our community.”

The post Meet Our Newest Medical Director: Dr. Andrew Pasternak (Nevada) appeared first on VaxCare.

Video: VaxCare Case Study by Android Enterprise

VaxCare Staff — Thu, 26 May 2022 16:00:38 +0000

Watch Android Enterprise’s video case study on VaxCare below:

We built our VaxCare hardware and software from the ground up. But it never would have been possible without a backend partner to support our devices’ many core functions—from HITRUST certification to zero-touch enrollment, automatic updates, and more. That partner was Android Enterprise. (You can read more about our partnership on Android’s blog post from earlier this year.)

No one had ever built an in-practice device that brings the entire vaccine ecosystem into one intelligent touchpoint. But when we asked Android to support our first dedicated hardware, the new VaxCare Hub, they helped us create a true flagship device.

No one had ever created a handheld device that takes the vaccine program outside the practice walls to schools, parking lots, and other community spaces—let alone in a matter of months. But when we asked Android to support our mobile solution, the VaxCare Mobile Hub, the results exceeded all expectations.

It was only through our collaboration with the Android Enterprise team (and our manufacturing partner Social Mobile) that we could make these dreams into reality. So of course, when Android asked if they could document our partnership in a video, we said YES.

The results speak for themselves, highlighting our partnership with Android Enterprise and celebrating the hard work of physicians like Dr. Karen Smith of Raeford, NC, who has been using VaxCare to great effect in her community. And there’s lots more to come—stay tuned!

The post Video: VaxCare Case Study by Android Enterprise appeared first on VaxCare.

VaxCare Showcased in Athenahealth’s Marketplace Partner Video Series

VaxCare Staff — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:00:26 +0000

It takes a lot of work behind the scenes for us to connect all the parts of the entire vaccine ecosystem—ordering, recording, charting, billing—with one simple scan. Creating integrations between our technology and electronic health records (EHRs) are one way we make that happen. Recently, athenahealth, a leading EHR, invited our chief product officer, Evan Landis, to participate in a video series created to promote their Marketplace Partner program.

VaxCare has been a Marketplace Partner for just over five years. During that time, athenahealth’s Marketplace Partner program has greatly expanded, as has VaxCare’s capabilities and footprint. One thing that has remained core to both however, is as Landis describes in the showcase video, “creating a simple experience for primary care’s clinical and administrative staff.” Healthcare has always been a demanding profession, a point that’s not lost on VaxCare or athenahealth. As Landis says, “It’s extremely important for us to make things that are automated, simple, intelligent. Anything we can do to make it easier for the user, we’re going to do it.”

Watch Evan’s interview here, and watch this space for more updates on how we’re doing more for clinical staff so they can do more for their patients.

View other athenahealth marketplace partner videos featuring VaxCare here:
Marketplace Partners Showcase
Leadership Showcase

VaxCare is proud to integrate with all major EHRs. Want to learn more about how VaxCare integrates with your EHR? Get in touch!

The post VaxCare Showcased in Athenahealth’s Marketplace Partner Video Series appeared first on VaxCare.