05/03/11 Wes Burden from the Marshall County Health Department presented the Commissioners with a letter from the Indiana State Health Commissioner in reference to the vaccinations.

The letter states: In Indiana, many community physicians are referring patients with adequate health insurance to local health department for vaccinations that re intended only for residents who are without insurance or who are under-insured and unable to pay for the immunizations.  Misapplications of these state and federally funded vaccinations supplies in local health departments.

Because of this the Indiana State Department of Health’s Immunization Division issued new childhood and adult eligibility policies for publically funded vaccines that goes into effect on July 1, 2011.

Burden said that local health departments have been advised to primarily provide publicly funded vaccines to those residents whom either lack the ability to pay for vaccinations or lack the insurance to cover them.  The Health Department will also be advocating that physicians provide vaccines to their insured patients.

The new guidelines for free immunizations at all local health departments that apply for children ages birth through 18 years:

  • If your insurance covers vaccinations partially or fully – you are not eligible for vaccines at your local Health Department.
  • If you insurance done not cover vaccinations – you are eligible for vaccinations at your local Health Department.
  • If you insurance cap on vaccines have been met – you are eligible for vaccinations at your local Health Department.
  • If you children are covered by Medicaid (regular or pkg. C or secondary) you are eligible for vaccinations at your local Health Department.
  • If you are uninsured – you are eligible for vaccinations at your local Health Department.
  • If you are a Native American or Alaskan Native – you are eligible for vaccinations at your local Health Department.

Burden said the County Health Board plans to implement at $8.00 per-shot administration fee with the maximum expenditure for a family at one time being $50.