MINNETONKA, Minn., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Medica today announced that because of possible shortages of conventional flu vaccines, it is extending its coverage to include the FDA-approved intranasal influenza vaccine FluMist for the 2003-2004 flu season.
Medica will cover nasal-spray flu immunizations under FDA-approved guidelines for healthy individuals ages five to 49. Just as it does for conventional flu shots, Medica will provide this coverage at no cost to eligible members.
In addition, Medica is making its coverage of FluMist retroactive to Monday, December 8, 2003.
“We’re doing this in hopes every one of our members who wants a flu immunization will be able to get one,” said Charles Fazio, M.D., Medica’s medical director. “We also want to help ensure that the remaining doses of the injectable vaccine get to the people who need it most,” Fazio said.
According to public health experts, a flu shot is the recommended type of immunization for people generally considered to be at high risk for the flu. This includes the very young, those over 50, those with chronic conditions and women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The FDA does not recommend FluMist for this population.
Medica has for months through promotional campaigns been encouraging its members to get a flu immunization. Medica was also the first area health plan to provide flu shot vouchers, so senior members can get shots where and when its most convenient.
Medica also encourages anyone who has questions about the differences between a flu shot and a flu spray, or who wants to learn more about flu precautions, to visit the Web site for the Center For Disease Control and Prevention, and click on Influenza/flu ( http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ ).
About Medica
Medica is the leading health plan in Minnesota, with one million members, and is both non-profit and independent. Medica has been awarded the highest possible accreditation status -- “Excellent” -- by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA(R)) for the commercial health plans it provides to Minnesotans and North Dakotans as well as for its Medicaid HMO plans. Medica’s mission is to meet its customers’ needs for health plan products and services. In doing so, Medica works with members and providers to make health care accessible, affordable and a means by which its members improve their health.
Medica
CONTACT: Larry Bussey, Communications Director of Medica,+1-952-992-8013, or cell, +1-612-309-8896, or larry.bussey@medica.com