Immunization policy changed at Pettis County Health Center

Insured children will have to go elsewhere to receive vaccinations if they typically received the shots at Pettis County Health Center.

Children covered by Medicaid or without insurance will still be able to receive free immunizations at the Health Center. Children who are under-insured, have health insurance with high deductibles or who have health insurance that doesn’t cover immunizations will no longer be vaccinated at the Health Center.

The Health Center previously immunized “any children, regardless of income or insurance, and provided certain vaccinations for adults,” said Amy Luvin, registered nurse and immunization program manager.

The restrictions are a result of a $2 million cut in federal funding for the program that pays for the vaccines. The Health Center found out about the changes, which went into effect Tuesday, last week from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis, human papiloma virus meningitis will still be available to adults, but at a full price. Adults typically paid an administrative fee of $7 to $15 for shots.

The change will not affect the Health Center’s flu shot program.

All patients can receive one last free vaccination, Luvin said.

“We can give them that one time, but then have to refer them on” to a physician or federally qualified health center, such as Katy Trail Community Health.

The Health Center vaccinated 1,627 patients last year. Luvin said she would guess the change will affect about 25 percent, or around 400 patients.

Chris Stewart, executive director of Katy Trail, said the clinic offers the usual vaccinations for children. Uninsured children can receive immunizations at no cost through the Vaccines for Children state program.

“We do expect more people as a result” of the change at the Health Center, Stewart said.

Katy Trail also offers vaccines for adults including tetanus, flu and pneumonia. Katy Trail will bill insurance companies of the insured. Uninsured adults can receive the vaccines for a cost on a sliding scale based on their income.

The impact of the change at the Health Center has yet to be seen. Stewart said it could mean Katy Trail will “have to come up with more money” to support its immunization program, and vaccines are expensive.

Katy Trail had more than 600 child patients last year and about 400 received vaccines, Stewart said.