September 19, 2005 -- Providers Can Get Free Vaccine for Katrina-Displaced Children

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers all children from birth to age 18 who have been displaced by hurricane Katrina to effectively be uninsured, because they generally do not have access to medical records or proof of insurance. In line with this assumption, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced September 16 that doctors, clinics, and health departments can use vaccines from the federal Vaccines for Children Program, which are available at no charge to enrolled public and private providers, to immunize Katrina-displaced children. The free vaccines are available for immunizing children whether they are living in shelters, hotels, or with family or friends, and regardless of their previous health insurance coverage. The CDC noted that there is currently no “immediate threat” of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks among displaced children but said the recommendations are aimed at keeping children up-to-date on their immunizations and protecting them from disease outbreaks in large, crowded group settings. The announcement was the latest in a series of notices from HHS about health benefits available to persons displaced from their homes by hurricane Katrina. Complete information on accelerated benefits is available at www.hhs.gov/katrina.