This fall, three vaccines are available to help Minnesotans protect themselves and their loved ones from serious illness

Along with the seasonal flu shot, new COVID and RSV vaccines are now available

You may be used to hearing ‘Don’t forget your flu shot’ this time of year but now there are two new vaccinations that should be considered. This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for two other major respiratory viruses –COVID-19 and RSV.

Updated COVID vaccine

A new, updated COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA and—just like the influenza vaccine—is recommended for adults and children as young as six months.

Who should get the new COVID vaccine?

Even if you’ve never received a COVID-19 vaccine, adults and children as young as age five are eligible to receive the new, updated vaccine. Children six months to age four who have never received the vaccine are eligible to receive a series of three doses of the updated Pfizer vaccine or a two-dose series of the new Moderna vaccine.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is still the most effective way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says it is important to make sure you are up to date on any COVID-19 vaccine doses you are recommended to get to have the best protection against COVID-19.

Will you have to pay for the new COVID vaccine?

Even though the COVID Public Health Emergency has ended, people with private or public insurance coverage should know that COVID vaccines and boosters will continue to be covered with no cost-sharing as a preventive services benefit, with plans covering 100% of the cost when received at a network provider, like any other vaccine.

“Previously special rules applied for COVID-19 vaccines, but they are now treated like any other vaccine,” said Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. “This means it’s important to stay within your plan’s network.”

You can find out where to get the vaccine at no cost to you by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.

But what if you don’t have insurance?

A new federal program will be offered this fall for uninsured people to ensure they have access to the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to them. You can get no-cost COVID-19 vaccines at healthcare providers, federally supported health centers, and retail pharmacy chains participating in the Bridge Access Program. Visit vaccines.gov to find providers that offer no-cost COVID-19 vaccines through the Bridge Access Program.

MDH is also working with local communities to provide free updated COVID vaccines. To locate a community vaccination event near you, call the MDH COVID-19 public hotline at 1-833-431-2053 Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New RSV vaccines

Finally, in addition to the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, a new vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also available this fall. The RSV vaccine is available in some locations in the U.S. and availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks. It is recommended for pregnant women and adults age 60 and older. Contact your provider to learn more.

Medicaid Unwinding: Resources to Keep Minnesotans Covered

375,000 Minnesotans are at risk of losing health coverage as eligibility reviews return for the state’s public programs, Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare

Last month, Minnesota officially began the process of “unwinding” the COVID-19 pandemic-era policy that paused eligibility reviews for those on the state’s public health care programs, Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) and MinnesotaCare.

These programs are critically important and currently provide health care coverage for 1 in 4 or 1.5 million Minnesotans. State programs cover 4 in 10 children, 4 in 10 births, 1 in 3 people with disabilities, approximately half of nursing home costs and about half of substance-use-disorder treatment. They also cover a disproportionate number of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in the state, highlighting potential health equity impacts for changes in these programs.

As eligibility reviews resume for the state’s public programs, Council members are working diligently to help Minnesotans maintain their coverage or successfully transition to new coverage.

The stakes are high. An estimated 375,000 Minnesotans could potentially move off public coverage during this process. Health care coverage provides many benefits, including helping pay the high costs of medical care and medications, coordinating services, connecting people to social supports and helping people access preventive care. Disruptions in coverage can have a serious negative impact and worsen health outcomes as well as create financial burdens and barriers to accessing timely and needed care. Early data from 20 states that have already resumed renewals show that over a million enrollees have lost coverage during this process between April 1 and June 12. There are wide variations between states in both renewal rates and the share of procedural disenrollments – where people lose coverage because they did not complete the enrollment process but may still be eligible for Medicaid.

These numbers highlight the challenges to make sure Minnesotans most at risk for losing coverage have access to necessary information and resources to maintain coverage during this process. With estimates that nearly half of those losing coverage will likely be due to procedural issues, like incomplete or missing paperwork, public awareness is a serious concern. Data from a recent survey found that nearly two-thirds of Medicaid enrollees were not aware that states are now permitted to resume disenrolling people from Medicaid programs, underscoring the need to increase outreach on this topic and help people learn how to successfully renew their coverage or transition quickly and seamlessly to other coverage.

Confronting the state’s unique challenges to keep Minnesotans covered

In Minnesota, renewals must be completed on paper and all renewal forms and important information will be sent via the mail. Because DHS had not collected eligibility information since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, many people are at risk of procedural disenrollment if their contact information is no longer correct.

Nearly half of Medicaid enrollees have not been through the renewal process before and certain populations are especially at risk of losing coverage – particularly children, people without stable housing, non-native English speakers, people living in high social vulnerability index (SVI) neighborhoods, and people with complex conditions. Due to the disproportionate share of BIPOC Minnesotans on the state’s public health care programs, a higher burden of coverage loss will also fall on these communities.

National studies show that 30% of people don’t know where they’ll find other coverage if they are no longer eligible. And an analysis of the impact of the expiration of the public health emergency estimates the uninsurance rate in Minnesota – which is now at a historic low of 4% – could increase significantly.

Support from the state’s nonprofit health plans for Minnesotans during the Medicaid Unwinding period

Council members have been working closely with many partners to raise awareness and share resources and best practices to ensure no one faces an avoidable gap in coverage. For example:

• Health plans are using care coordinators and other staff to assist members with questions and help complete their renewals
• Health plans are using data from DHS on renewal dates or coverage changes to reach out and help their members maintain their coverage
• Health plans are participating in the DHS Equity Partnership to ensure no Minnesotans fall through the cracks

The Council developed the following resources (also available on the Medicaid Unwinding Resource Page) for various stakeholders to raise awareness and support Minnesotans in maintaining health care coverage:

Enrollees-

• Fact Sheet with Enrollee Resources to Prevent a Gap in Coverage, with key steps:
  • Update your contact information with your county, tribe, or health plan.
  • Watch for the circle in blue when it’s time to renew. Important information will come in the mail in an envelope like this:
  • Information on how to complete a renewal is available at https://mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/

Employers-

• Fact Sheet with Employer Resources to Support Employees Transitioning to ESI
• “Have an Employee Who’s Losing Medicaid Coverage?” Fact Sheet (English)
• “Have an Employee Who’s Losing Medicaid Coverage?” Fact Sheet (Spanish)

Health Care Providers-

• Fact Sheet with Provider Resources to Help Patients Prevent a Gap in Coverage

Community Partners-

• Fact Sheet with Community Resources to Keep Minnesotans Covered

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s nonprofit health plans played a leading role in safeguarding the health of Minnesotans providing over $2.6 billion in COVID-related medical costs, keeping people connected to care, and taking a nimble and innovative approach to support members throughout the state during a time of great need. As the nation and state move on to this next chapter of pandemic recovery, it is important to understand the significant implications of the Medicaid unwinding process and how we can all work together to make sure that Minnesotans stay covered and continue to have access to affordable and timely care.

How coordinated care is improving outcomes in Minnesota’s health care programs

Highly individualized, holistic care connects members to resources, removes barriers, and addresses the social drivers of health

Imagine you were about to hike an unfamiliar trail in Minnesota’s Northwoods. You might wonder how difficult the trail is, how long it will take, what kind of gear you might need, and whether there are places to rest along the way. At the trailhead, a park ranger greets you and asks if you have any questions and offers you a trail guide. What would you do? Enlist the support of the trail guide or take your chances and start walking?

When it comes to dealing with a health challenge, many Minnesotans prefer to have a guide to help provide support, so they do not have to go it alone.

That’s where care coordination comes in. Minnesota’s nonprofit managed care organizations (MCOs) provide care coordination as a unique benefit for members who are covered by state programs, like Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. Through care coordination, members receive highly individualized, holistic care to support their health and wellbeing.

Because many of the factors that support health and wellbeing happen outside the clinic’s walls—like housing, transportation, education, and access to healthy food, good jobs, and childcare—care coordinators focus on addressing these social drivers of health, connecting members to resources, and removing barriers to care. Care coordinators take the time to get to know members, understand their goals and needs, and connect them to the right resources at the right time.

Minnesota’s leadership in delivering Medicaid through managed care

Nearly forty years ago, Minnesota was an early adopter of the managed care model, which began as an innovative partnership between the state nonprofit plan community and providers to address severe access issues, a fragmented health care system, and growing and unpredictable costs. The model has helped the state improve access to care and provides much needed support to Minnesotans and has been replicated across the country. Forty-three other states now utilize managed care to support their public program enrollees, with both North Carolina and Oklahoma moving the Medicaid programs to managed care just this year. More states are moving toward managed care because of the high-quality care enrollees receive and the budget stability gained by the state.

Integrating services for Minnesota seniors

One example of Minnesota’s leadership in this area is Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO), a fully-integrated Medicare and Medicaid managed care service delivery system which provides those who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid-funded services (or dual eligible) a full suite of services to ensure they get the care they need to maintain their best health.

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of connecting the person with the right resource at the right time,” said Janice Hubert, care coordinator at HealthPartners. “Part of care coordination is gathering the pieces together and helping our clients come up with a plan that’s going to work for them to help manage their healthcare, so they can be the healthiest they can be, and manage the best way that they can.”

MSHO assigns members a care coordinator who helps them identify their goals and how to best meet them as well as find the services they need when they need them. Over time, research shows members tend to have fewer preventable hospital stays and fewer trips to the emergency department. Further, members with chronic diseases were able to obtain more community-based services or assisted living care.¹

By helping seniors navigate appointments, coordinating transportation for clinic visits, and providing education about chronic disease management, care coordinators ensure enrollees get the right care when they need it. By reducing emergency department visits, hospital stays and trips to see physician specialists, coordinators are reducing health care costs.

For example, a hospital system in Wisconsin found that for every $1 invested in care coordination for their highest-risk population, the hospital realized an $8 reduction in health care charges. When managed appropriately, inpatient visits were less frequent, less critical, and were, on average, 30% shorter. ²

Leveraging data to connect enrollees with the right care at the right time

Care coordinators also play a critical role helping reduce fragmented care in the delivery of both physical and behavioral health services. They work to connect enrollees with the appropriate level of high-quality care when they need it. The net result can be a better experience for members, with better care at a lower cost.

They might use a variety of strategies. For example, care coordinators use data to identify at-risk members and determine their care needs. They reach out and engage with members in their communities and work together to make their care more efficient and effective. Care coordinators can identify plan members who are using care services at a high rate and develop a management plan that addresses the underlying health conditions that might be contributing. For example, identifying and addressing diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure in the primary care setting with chronic disease management strategies could prevent some of those emergency room visits or hospital stays.³

Care coordinators make things easier for individuals by helping them navigate the complex health care landscape, get them connected to needed medical care, behavioral services, and community-based supports. In short, they are the trail guides that help members find their way to better health and wellness.

Watch the video to learn more about how care coordination is enhancing the patient experience, reducing the cost of care, and improving the health of communities throughout Minnesota.

For more information on this topic and to learn more, check out our Fact Sheets on Managed Care and Care Coordination.

References

1. Wayne L. Anderson, and Zhanlian Feng, “Minnesota Managed Care Longitudinal Data Analysis,” Minnesota Managed Care Longitudinal Data Analysis (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), March 30, 2016), https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/minnesota-managed-care-longitudinal-data-analysis-0.
2. “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary – ASPE,” INNOVATIVE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE COORDINATION PROGRAMS FOR CO-MORBID BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CHRONIC PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS: FINAL REPORT (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy, May 2015), https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/private/pdf/158526/comorbid.pdf.
3. Ibid.

Minnesota’s nonprofit managed care organizations address the social drivers of health and provide personalized, responsive care, to improve the health and wellbeing of Minnesotans and ensure everyone in the state has access to the affordable, equitable and quality-based care they need today and in the future. We know that much of what keeps communities healthy happens outside the clinic’s walls and the factors that influence people’s health and wellbeing can be deeply personal. That’s why Minnesota’s nonprofit managed care organizations provide care coordination as a unique benefit with highly individualized, holistic care to connect plan members to resources, remove barriers to care, and address the social drivers of health.

Working to solve racial disparities in Minnesota’s birth outcomes and experiences by keeping a spotlight on the issue

No other developed nation has a higher maternal mortality rate than the U.S. and the rate today is higher than it was 25 years ago. A look behind these overall numbers shows even worse outcomes for Black families: Black women are about three times more likely to die of pregnancy related complications than white women and Black infants are more than twice as likely to die as white infants.

The mission to improve maternal and birth outcomes in the U.S., especially for Black families, grows more urgent each year. As we recognize Black Maternal Health Week April 11-17, it’s important to keep a spotlight on these issues to find opportunities to address and resolve racial disparities in birth outcomes and birth experiences.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Maternal Mortality Review Committee at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released a report on maternal mortality documenting significant disparities in maternal mortality; Black Minnesotans, who comprise 13% of the birthing population, accounted for 23% of maternal deaths during the study period. The report made several recommendations to address disparities in maternal health and prevent maternal deaths, including:

• Expanding access to care,
• Improving support for those with substance use disorders (SUD) or mental health conditions,
• Acknowledging historical trauma and racism and addressing bias, and
• Providing support for more community support and culturally informed care.

Dr. Rachel Hardeman, co-chairs the committee that conducted the analysis for the report and also leads the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity at the University of Minnesota and has called for Minnesota to lead the way in implementing change in communities to improve outcomes.

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans and our member plans are working together to tackle these disparities in a variety of ways, including through advocating for systems change at the legislature, helping grow the workforce, centering patients to improve the birthing experience, developing educational initiatives, and partnering with communities.

The Council and member plans are also working collaboratively through the Healthy Start Performance Improvement Project, which began in the spring of 2021.

The project focuses on ensuring a “healthy start” for Minnesota children by concentrating on improving services provided to pregnant women and infants, with a particular focus on reducing racial and ethnic disparities. Interventions will include working with a wide variety of partners to improve access and coordination of resources to help mothers and children get the right care at the right time in the right setting.

In addition to our collaborative work, member plans are leading a variety of efforts to improve outcomes. See just some of the recent examples of this innovative work below.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota – Growing the doula workforce and increasing number of diverse doulas by hosting free, 4-day doula training in partnership with Everyday Miracles.
• HealthPartners – Educating patients and providers about the availability and importance of doula care to increase uptake of doula services and better understanding of how doulas work with medical care teams.
• Hennepin Health – Supporting healthy pregnancies, culturally congruent prenatal and postpartum care, and positive birth and well-child outcomes with a focus on community partnerships
• Medica – Supporting the “doula dads” program to support families through the birthing process.
• Sanford – Improving the birthing experience and centering patient wishes through the use of birth navigators, doulas and midwives in the hospital.
• UCare – Advocating for systems change to reduce structural barriers for building the doula workforce; especially for Black doulas.

Keeping Minnesotans Covered as Renewals Return for Medicaid and MinnesotaCare

With the March 31 sunset of the federal continuous coverage mandate, 1.5M Minnesotans will need to go through an eligibility review to maintain coverage in the state’s public programs

During the federal public health emergency, special rules meant Minnesotans covered by state programs, Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) and MinnesotaCare, didn’t need to submit eligibility on a yearly basis. This was a good thing throughout the pandemic because it kept people connected to needed care. It also led to a record number of enrollees – Minnesota Health Care Programs reached an all-time high enrollment of over 1.5 million people, a nearly 30% increase. Now, recent federal actions will require states to begin unwinding some of those temporary policies starting next month. The state will have a one-year timeframe to review the eligibility of each of those Minnesotans enrolled in state programs—a process called ‘Redetermination’. Restarting renewals for the record number of enrollees in Minnesota’s Health Care Programs after a three-year hiatus will be an unprecedented amount of work for the state, counties and tribes who process the renewals, as well as for the health plans who support these enrollees to maintain coverage.

Recent media coverage, “One of four Minnesotans will have to requalify for Medicaid this year” and “A Daunting Challenge for Health Care” framed up the task ahead of us. While the state will undergo a gradual return to program operations that were in place prior to the pandemic, resuming normal operations will be far from simple. State estimates indicate as many as 15-25% of enrollees could move off state programs during this process. While some of those may no longer meet eligibility criteria, nearly half will lose coverage for procedural reasons, like incomplete or missing paperwork. Gaps in coverage lead to gaps in care and it will be critical to ensure Minnesotans have the support they need to keep their coverage or transition to new coverage.

Partnering to Support Minnesotans

To support Minnesotans during this process, a public-private partnership among state, tribal, county and health plan leaders has been underway for nearly two years with the shared goal of keeping people connected to health insurance coverage.

This partnership is implementing innovative approaches to support a smooth transition, including using new methods to contact enrollees, working with community media partners to raise awareness, and building on the relationship between enrollees and their health plans to provide timely information on what to expect. We are also advocating at the Capitol to expedite important legislation to support the unwinding work. The Legislature is considering several key proposals which would make a difference: Establishing continuous coverage for children to help reduce churn and ensure children have consistent access to health care; funding to expand Navigator organizations to increase the amount of help available to Minnesotans for eligibility and enrollment support; upgrading IT systems to improve the enrollee experience and facilitate processing. Finally, for those no longer eligible, Minnesotans shopping for coverage in the individual market will benefit from enhanced federal premium subsidies and last year’s bipartisan legislation that continued the state’s reinsurance program and reduces premiums an average of 20%.

Inequities will persist during the renewal period unless we take action

We also know that not all Minnesotans will be impacted the same during the unwinding period. Black, Indigenous and communities of color are overrepresented in Medical Assistance and the numbers are even greater for children. For example, while 4 in 10 children in Minnesota are on Medicaid, 64% of Black Minnesotan children are covered by state health care programs. That is why, together with the state, counties, tribal agencies and community partners, we are adopting a dedicated equity strategy to make sure Minnesotans most at risk for losing coverage have access to the necessary information and resources to maintain coverage. One specific tactic was developed as part of Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine equity strategy, prioritizing outreach to members living in areas with the most barriers to renewing their coverage. By applying the Center for Disease and Control’s (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which takes into account things like housing, transportation, income, race and ethnicity, language and other social factors to identify ZIP codes for those most at risk, we can look at which communities should be targeted for extra support and pair them with the right resources to keep them covered. This support will include partnering with local media outlets, community leaders and other cultural institutions to disseminate information; providing translated materials in multiple languages and accessible formats; following up with those who don’t have a regular address; and making sure Minnesotans get all their questions answered.

What you can do right now

We know that many Minnesotans experienced big changes during the COVID-19 pandemic like moving to a new address, getting married, growing their families, or getting a new job. There are many changes that could impact a person’s eligibility, however, the most critical piece of information that Medical Assistance enrollees can provide to their county is updated contact information, and m

ost importantly, their current address. Over the coming months, the state and counties will be sending important information the mailing addresses of enrollees. To make sure you receive these messages, go to mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo to learn more and to find the contact information for your county. To learn more about the upcoming redetermination period and find key dates, visit mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage.

For more information on this issue and to learn more about how the Council and member plans are working to support Minnesotans during this process, check out our Fact Sheet.

By the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Minnesota Hospital Association

Did you know there’s a virus that sickens tens of thousands of Americans every year, especially during the fall and winter seasons? Epidemiologists track its spread around the world, and they watch for variant forms that inevitably emerge. Each year scientists work to develop a special vaccine that can help the body fend off the latest strain, reduce the severity of illness and risk of death.

It sounds like COVID-19 and its many variants. But we’re referring to influenza — or the flu — as it’s commonly known. Although COVID-19 continues to be in the spotlight, this is no time to take the flu for granted. Like COVID-19, the flu can cause serious illness, require hospitalization and lead to death. As kids return to classrooms and outdoor activities transition back to indoors, it’s important for children and adults to get their flu shot.

Influenza causes many of the same symptoms as COVID-19, including fever, headache, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. Severe cases can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, ear and sinus infections. The flu can also weaken your body’s immune system, putting you at increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

Most adults and children as young as six months can get a flu vaccine. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), but those most at risk of getting the flu are children, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and asthma. The flu shot, which is also available in a nasal mist, stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack the influenza virus. The vaccine is updated each year to provide the best match against the current virus strains. Studies show a well-matched vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness by 40-60%.

According to CDC estimates, more adults are getting the flu shot each year. The same was true for children—up until the 2019-2020 flu season. Just 58% of kids received their flu vaccine that year, a 5.1 percentage point drop from the prior year. Experts say it’s important to get vaccinated against the flu since both the flu virus and COVID-19 will spread simultaneously this winter.

Flu shots are widely available at your doctor’s office, pharmacies, clinics, retail clinics and public health offices. Talk to your health care provider about the flu shot for more information.

The State of Minnesota recently announced new managed care contracts serving 600,000 Minnesotans in 80 outstate counties, along with older adults and adults with disabilities statewide. The seven-county metro area contracts, covering 700,000 Minnesotans, were finalized late last year.

Minnesota’s public health care programs, including prepaid Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, serve low-income families and children. Seniors who need extra help beyond Medicare are covered through Minnesota Senior Health Options and Minnesota Senior Care Plus. People with disabilities can choose to be covered by the Special Needs BasicCare program. Health plans also submitted details demonstrating how they are working to improve health equity and eliminate disparities.

The announcement, from the Department of Human Services (DHS), follows a robust two-and-a-half-year competitive procurement process. Every member of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans received a contract to continue providing reliable and high-quality care around the state for the 1.3 million Minnesotans enrolled in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are nationally recognized for their efforts to improve the well-being of Minnesotans by identifying gaps in care, assisting with making appointments, coordinating rides, providing resources for managing chronic disease, and connecting members with community-based services. Our health plans even help communities tackle social issues that have a critical impact on a person’s health, like access to healthy food or stable housing. In many cases, our members are partnered with a dedicated care coordinator to ensure their care is timely, effective, and convenient.

These services can help reduce hospitalizations, trips to the emergency department and other high-cost care. Coordinators help members stay connected to their clinics and social service providers, which helps them manage their complex medical conditions. If you’d like to learn more about the important work of Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans, our website contains FAQs and background information on numerous topics, including managed care and the value of care coordination. Find out how Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are working to support Minnesotans with access to the affordable, equitable and quality-based care they need today and in the future.

By the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Minnesota Hospital Association

As parents send their children back to school, health care providers say it’s important to remember this point: while gains have been made in managing COVID-19, the virus continues to be a key public health issue.

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization of a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as six months. The Moderna vaccine is recommended for children six months to 17 years, and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is for children six months to four years old. Health care providers and the CDC say it’s important to vaccinate children because kids who get COVID-19 can still get very sick.

But according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey 43% of parents with children in this age range say they will “definitely not” vaccinate them. So far, just 17% of parents have either gotten their children vaccinated for COVID in this age group or plan to do so.

Still the best
According to the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines are still the best way to avoid being hospitalized for the most serious infections or dying from the virus.

Another reason to get the vaccine, according to the CDC, is because children who get COVID-19 risk getting a “new, returning or ongoing health problems.” They also say getting vaccinated can help prevent them getting seriously ill if they do get infected — and help prevent serious short and long-term complications.

COVID-19 shots are also widely available. You can visit your regular doctor, or you can get it at most pharmacies, clinics and retail clinics and other locations. The State of Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector is another tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Another great source of information is the CDC’s COVD-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens page.

Also remember that health plans cover the COVID-19 vaccine without charging members a copayment or coinsurance.

Talk with your doctor about getting your kids the COVID-19 vaccine as well as making sure they are up to date with their other immunizations. Staying healthy and protected against preventable illnesses will help ensure your child’s success!

By the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Minnesota Hospital Association

With so much attention over the past 2-plus years on COVID-19 testing and vaccines, it’s important to remember your children may be due for other important vaccines — or even overdue. Many families delayed routine vaccinations early in the pandemic.

As the new school year begins, this would be an excellent time to get your kids caught up. While the COVID-19 vaccine remains a priority, it’s important to not forget about other key immunizations. The following vaccines are recommended for kids from birth to age six.

Let’s start at B
The HepB vaccine is one of the first vaccines your child will get shortly after birth. This three-dose vaccine protects your child from Hepatitis B, a contagious liver disease that can be serious. Infants and small children often don’t show symptoms, which means without the vaccine they can easily spread the disease to others.

Avoid the RV
Babies typically receive one of two Rotavirus vaccines when they are two months old. One version is given in a two-dose series, the other is a three-dose. Both come in drops which are given by mouth. Rotavirus mostly affects babies and small children. It causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever and can be serious. The virus is spread from babies’ poop and can live on objects for days.

Polio
Although polio has been eradicated from the U.S. for 30 years, cases still occur in other parts of the world. And most recently, there has been a resurgence of Polio in parts of the U.S. As a result, the polio vaccine is still recommended. The polio shot is given in four doses beginning at two months and ending at age 4-6. Polio can infect the spinal cord, causing paralysis or death.

Hib vaccine
Babies also receive the Hib vaccine beginning when they are two months old. Caused by a bacterium, the most common Hib disease is meningitis — an infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fever, headache or stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light and poor eating and drinking. Most babies with Hib disease require hospital care and the disease can be fatal.

Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13)
A four-dose series of the pneumococcal vaccine shot is given to babies beginning at two months. The vaccine prevents pneumonia, a bacterial infection that starts in the lungs, and pneumococcal meningitis, an infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Pneumococcal disease is responsible for up to half of all ear infections. It is spread by infected people coughing and sneezing.

Back to A
The Hepatitis A vaccine is a two-series dose beginning between age 1 and 2. It is important to be protected against Hepatitis A, which is a liver disease, because the disease often shows no symptoms in children up to age six. This means other people can be infected. The HepA vaccine has reduced the incidence of Hepatitis A by 95% since the 1980’s.

Three for one (MMR)
The measles vaccine is typically combined with vaccines for mumps and rubella (MMR). Children usual receive their first shot when they are 12-15 months old. The second shot is typically administered when they’re between four and six. Call your child’s health care provider and ask about the MMR vaccine.

The measles vaccine has been available for more than 50 years. It is highly effective, too. In 2000, the U.S. even declared measles “eliminated.” However, measles outbreaks are not uncommon anymore. In 2019, the U.S. had more measles cases than had ever been seen in the previous 25 years. In 2017, Minnesota saw its highest number of measles cases since 1990.

DTaP or Tdap
For all-in-one protection against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis), your child will receive the DTaP or Tdap vaccine in five doses—the last two at age 4-6 and a booster called Tdap at 11 or 12. All three of these diseases can be serious. Diphtheria starts with a sore throat, fever and chills and then causes a thick coating in the back of the nose or throat. Tetanus is caused by bacteria that produces a toxin found in soil, dust and manure. The toxin can enter the body through breaks in the skin. Symptoms include muscle stiffness, jaw cramping and difficulty swallowing. Whooping cough is a respiratory illness that can cause violent coughing fits that can include gasping for air, making a “whooping” sound.

Other vaccinations
In addition to the MMR vaccine, children four to six are often scheduled to receive final doses of vaccines that were started when they were younger, including DTaP, chickenpox and polio. Before your child heads off to school for the first time, learn what vaccines may be required before starting the school year. Your health care provider can also tell you what vaccines your child needs.

Chickenpox
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended, at 12-15 months and age 4-6. Chicken pox causes a rash of itchy blisters, fever and headache. Serious cases can cause skin infections, dehydration, pneumonia, and encephalitis (brain swelling).

HPV
Human papilloma virus is group of 150 viruses that can cause cancer in men and women. The 2-dose HPV vaccine is typically given at age 11 or 12. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective in preventing the growth of precancerous cells. Nearly 200,000 women are diagnosed with pre-cervical cancer each year in the U.S. More than 4,000 women die of cervical cancer each year. HPV is spread by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Meningococcal vaccine
Doctors recommend pre-teens and teens get vaccinated for meningococcal disease, which is any illness caused by meningococcus bacteria. This two-dose shot also protects against meningitis, a potentially deadly infection of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can also infect the bloodstream. Although meningococcal disease is uncommon in the U.S., teens and young adults are at increased risk of meningitis. Symptoms, including headache and stiff neck, can start suddenly. In just 48 hours a person can progress from healthy to extremely sick.