October 3, 2024

Respiratory illness season has officially begun, which runs during the fall and winter seasons. It’s important that all your patients be protected against respiratory illness during this season.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care providers are the most trusted source of health information for their patients. Immunization against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the best way to safeguard against hospitalizations, long-term health impacts, and death.

As a trusted provider, you can educate your patients about the fall and winter virus season so they can keep themselves and their families safe from respiratory diseases this season.

Immunization Recommendations

Influenza and COVID-19

• Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the seasonal influenza vaccine.
• All young infants should be protected against severe RSV disease through one of the following:
  • Vaccination of pregnant people 32 through 36 weeks of gestation (Pfizer Abrysvo only) from September through January.
  • Immunization of infants less than 8 months born during or who are entering their first RSV season with nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody.
  • Some children aged 8 through 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease should receive nirsevimab when entering their second RSV season.
  • Everyone 75 years of age and older should receive RSV vaccination if they haven't been previously vaccinated.
  • Adults 60 through 74 years of age with certain medical conditions that increase their risk for severe RSV disease should receive RSV vaccination if they haven't been previously vaccinated.

RSV

Co-administration of Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines may be co-administered. To optimize protection for the fall and winter virus season, providers may offer the patient all recommended respiratory virus vaccines during one visit.

Current evidence from multiple studies supports the safety of co-administering flu and COVID-19 vaccines. For patients at high risk of becoming seriously ill from one of these diseases, the benefits of timely protection from coadministration of more than one vaccine likely outweigh the possible risks of increased side effects.

Helpful Messages for Promoting Vaccinations

• Vaccines are safe: Vaccines have been developed over years through rigorous scientific processes and have been tested in clinical trial to assess safety and efficacy before being made available to the public.
• These viruses can be very serious: Remind patients that these viruses can be more serious than they think.
• Vaccines reduce severity and complications: Vaccines have a proven history of reducing disease and risk of hospitalization or death. For example, influenza hospitalizations were cut in half for all vaccinated adults 65 years and older; and dropped by 79% for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes.
  

Billing

Influenza

CMS has set rates for flu vaccines, accordingly, providers should bill using the following codes.

Payment limits and effective dates for newly approved and marketed influenza vaccines will be posted to the CDC’s website.

COVID

RSV

RSV Monoclonal Antibodies