Important H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine Information
From Washington State Department of Health

Dear Provider:

This fall, the federal government is planning to provide H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to states at no cost. Vaccination is strictly voluntary. Some vaccine supplies (needles, syringes, sharps containers, and alcohol swabs) will also be provided at no cost.

The Washington State Department of Health and local health partners invite interested licensed health care providers and facilities (including hospitals, clinics, pharmacists, and community vaccinators) to pre-register to receive this new vaccine.

Becoming an H1N1 vaccine provider is a two-step process. First, pre-register by completing the online application (www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/h1n1reg.htm). Second, sign the H1N1 Provider Agreement with the final terms. We’ll send the agreement to you before vaccine is sent to your clinic site.

There is no cost to pre-register and no obligation to order vaccine. Local health agencies will make final decisions about which providers receive H1N1 vaccine in their communities.

Pre-registered providers will receive periodic e-mail updates. H1N1 information is also available on our Web site—www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu.

Contact your local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm) for information about the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. For more information about the pre-registration form, contact Jan Hicks-Thomson (jan.hicks-thomson@doh.wa.gov) at 360-236-3578.

Thanks for all you do for public health.

Mary C. Selecky,

Secretary Washington State Department of Health

Changes to Childhood Vaccine Purchase Program

Due to cuts in the state budget for the 2009 - 2011 biennium, as of July 1, 2009, Washington's Universal Childhood Vaccine Purchase Program is changing.

The new budget directs the Department of Health to:

• Discontinue state funded purchasing of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine starting July 1, 2009; and then
• Discontinue state funded purchasing of all other vaccines on May 1, 2010

This means that starting July 1, 2009, children with private health insurance are no longer eligible to receive state-supplied HPV vaccine. For a fact sheet about these changes and what health care providers will need to do to prepare click the following Depatment of Health link: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/documents/5-14-09transhpv.pdf

Providers will still order state supplied HPV vaccine at no charge through their local health department from the State Department of Health for:

• VFC eligible children: Children eligible to receive HPV vaccine from the state include: children 18 and younger who are Medicaid-eligible, Native American, Alaskan Native, uninsured, and underinsured (have health insurance, but it does not cover vaccines or has a limit on vaccine coverage).
• Children in state sponsored health plans -DSHS (State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Children’s Health Program (CHP), and Apple Health) Health Care Authority – Basic Health Plan (BHP)

 

Washington State Department of Health
Immunization Program CHILD Profile
Phone: 1-866-397-0337
E-mail:UniversalChanges@doh.wa.gov
Web-site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/providers/universal.htm

June 3, 2009