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Vaccines for adults at CHCC
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is now offering adult vaccinations for several diseases.
CHCC, through the Commonwealth Health Center, is offering at least 13 vaccines available to adults at their new outpatient pharmacy—as allowed under the the Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreement.
As of publication, CHCC notes that there are currently four immunization-certified pharmacists and one immunization-certified pharmacist intern working on the program.
“Adult patients—those aged 19 years and older—will now not only have easier access to vaccines, but also easier access to education on what vaccines are needed per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, which is based on age and medical conditions,” a CHCC statement noted.
The outpatient pharmacy is currently offering influenza vaccines, hepatitis A and B vaccines, pneumovax 23, prevnar 13, tdap, HPV, varicella, and shingrix. Other vaccinations such as those specific to rabies, yellow fever, typhoid fever, and meningococcal vaccines may also be requested.
In terms of prices, CHCC noted that private insurance usually covers CDC recommended vaccinations and vaccination fees are included in the CHCC sliding fee program. However, the price per vaccination will vary per patient.
“…The rate of vaccinations among adults is significantly lower than among children for most of the vaccines that are recommended by the CDC,” noted the CHCC statement, citing the National Center for Health Statistics report No. 2017-1232.
“This is caused partially by a lack of education regarding the importance of vaccines, as well as lack of access points for immunizations,” the statement added.
For more information about the program, call the CHCC outpatient pharmacy at 236-8798 and for vaccines for children, call the CHCCC immunization clinic at 236-8745.
