Improvement Projects > Improving Health for Populations and Communities > Immunizations and Screenings > Flu and Pneumonia Immunizations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza (flu) and pneumonia cause a combined average of 90,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, and many more people end up in the hospital.

The flu season lasts from fall through the early spring, and contributes to an annual increase in deaths due to the flu or pneumonia during that time, according to a July 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Risk for flu-associated death was highest for people over the age of 85.

Influenza infections can make people more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia, such as pneumococcus. Because pneumonia can occur in any season, pneumonia vaccines are promoted year-round, but protection against pneumonia is especially important during flu season.

Medicare Part B covers a flu vaccine every flu season and a pneumonia vaccine once after the age of 65. There is no coinsurance and no deductible, although you might have to pay a copayment for the office visit.

Toolkits

• Immunization Toolkit

Medicare Fee-for-Service Reimbursement Information

• Palmetto GBA -- Ohio Medicare carrier -- Immunization fee schedules and reimbursement information for influenza and pneumococcal immunizations

Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries

• Adult Vaccination Fact Sheet

• A Link to Better Health: Ohio’s Immunization Registry

• Do I need any vaccinations today?

• Immunization Poster: "Flu vaccine facts & myths"

• Immunization Poster: "When should you get your flu shot"

• Immunization Poster: "Who is at high risk of flu"

• The Pneumonia Vaccine: It Could Save Your Life!

• Senior Health Topics: Immunizations

• Take Your Best Shot at Avoiding the Flu and Pneumonia

• Vaccinations for Adults: You’re Never Too Old to Get Immunized!

• Vaccine Administration Record for Adults

• Vaccine Information Statement: Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine

• Vaccine Information Statement: Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Resources for Healthcare Providers

• Billing Resources

  • Immunization Coding Guide

  • Immunization Reimbursement Guide

  • Medicare Preventive Services Quick Reference Information: Medicare Part B Immunization Billing

• Immunizations

  • Adult Immunizations Brochure

  • Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation

  • Better Life Checklist

  • Checklist for Safe Vaccine Handling and Storage

  • Emergency Response Worksheet

  • Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults

  • Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations

  • Immunization Adult Standards

  • Immunization Status Stickers (2x4 shipping label)

  • Influenza and Pneumonia: Overview and How to Improve Immunization Services

  • Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization

  • Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization

• Immunization Service Resources

  • Pink Book: Immunization Strategies for Healthcare Practices and Providers

  • Immunization Service Assessment: How Well is Your Practice Doing?

• Influenza Immunizations

  • First Do No Harm – Protect Patients by Making Sure All Receive Yearly Influenza Vaccines

  • Give These People Influenza Vaccine!

  • Influenza Vaccine Composition & Major Differences

  • Influenza Vaccine Consent/Administration Record

  • Influenza Vaccination Pocket Guide

  • Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults

  • Screening Questionnaire for Injectable Influenza Vaccination

  • Screening Questionnaire for Intranasal Influenza Vaccination

• Pneumococcal Immunizations

  • Immunizers’ Question & Answer Guide to Medicare Coverage of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations

  • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23): The Centers for Disease Control Answers Your Questions

  • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination Pocket Guide

  • Pneumococcal Vaccine Consent/Administration Record

  • Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults · Patient Forms

  • Declination of Influenza Vaccination

  • Influenza Vaccine Consent/Administration Record

  • Patient Transfer Form

  • Pneumococcal Vaccine Consent/Administration Record

Web-based Resources

• ACP-ASIM’s Adult Immunization Initiative

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Pink Book

  • Influenza (flu) Homepage

  • Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

  • National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

  • National Immunization Program

  • Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule 2009

• Google Flu Shot Finder

• Immunization Action Coalition

• Immunization Gateway: Your Vaccine Fact-Finder

• Impact SIIS: Statewide Immunization Information System

• Integrating Vaccines for Adults into Routine Care - (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases)

• Maxim Flu Shot Locator

• Medline Plus – Flu

• Medline Plus -- Pneumonia

• National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI) publication order form

• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

  • NFID Adult Vaccination

• National Network for Immunization Information (NNii)

• Ohio Department of Health-Pandemic Flu Web Page

• Put Prevention Into Practice (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Adult Immunization Homepage

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Pandemic Flu Web Page