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TMA Influenza

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are projecting that this could be a very busy and long flu season in Texas.  TMA is working to bring you useful information for you and your patients as it becomes available. TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases is helping by monitoring key recommendations and highlighting the information most critical for physicians.

Flu Fighters' Tips On Fighting the Flu

Physicians and patients battling H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu this season have someone in their corner. A subcommittee of the TMA Committee on Infectious Diseases, known as the Flu Fighters, will keep practitioners up to date on H1N1 flu and seasonal flu information. The Flu Fighters have developed several recommendations to help physicians respond to outbreaks of flu.

• H1N1 Immunization — Who Gets What? (Nov. 10, 2009)
• Antiviral Resistance Testing Available for Limited H1N1 Cases (Nov. 3, 2009)
• Emergency Peramivir IV Use (Nov. 3, 2009)
• Health Care Workers: H1N1 Vaccines (Oct. 27, 2009)
• Myth of the Week: The Flu Is Mild. So, It Is Better to Get the Flu and Have Immunity (Oct. 27, 2009)
• Flu Fighters Dispelling Myths (Oct. 20, 2009)
• Patients With Influenza — Testing, Treatment, and Prophylaxis (Oct. 20, 2009)
• Five Things to Consider This Flu Season (Oct. 6, 2009)
• How to Triage Your Flu Patients (Oct. 6, 2009)

[ Vaccine Information | Clinical Guidance | Physicians Treating Pediatric Patients | Additional Resources ]

Billing for Administering H1N1 Flu Vaccine

The federal government is giving H1N1 influenza vaccine and supplies — syringes, needles, and alcohol swabs — free of charge to physicians and other vaccine providers. Physicians and others may  bill for administering the vaccine but may not charge for the vaccine itself.

Accessing State Stock Antivirals

DSHS has distributed antiviral medication to pharmacies around the state as part of an effort to provide the medication for the uninsured and underinsured. Physicians can get information on how to access the state provided supply and a list of locations of state antiviral stock.

H1N1 Reporting Information

Seasonal influenza is not typically required to be reported in Texas. However, because of the outbreak of Novel Influenza A (H1N1), DSHS is asking physicians to report H1N1 to their local health departments. Find out more on what to report and how.

Vaccine Information

• Vaccine Distribution Q&A (CDC, Nov. 3, 2009)
• H1N1 Clinicians Questions and Answers (CDC, Oct. 23, 2009)
• DSHS Advice on Vaccinating Nonpriority Groups (Oct. 20, 2009)
• Update on Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines (MMWR Weekly, Oct. 9, 2009)
• Texas Medicaid to Reimburse Admininstration Fee for H1N1 Vaccine (TMHP, Oct. 16, 2009)
• Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine (CDC, October 2009)
• Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine (CDC, October 2009)
• Medicare, Two Insurers Set H1N1 Flu Vaccine Payments (TMA Practice E-tips, Sept. 21, 2009)
• General Questions and Answers on Thimerosal (CDC, Sept. 14, 2009)
• Reporting Adverse Events (VAERS) (CDC)
• CDC 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Planning Checklist
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women (CDC)
• Protecting the Protectors: Physicians, Staff Need Flu Shots First (November 2009 Texas Medicine Preview Article)

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Clinical Guidance

• Tamiflu and Relenza Are Benefits of Texas Medicaid and the CSHCN Services Program (TMHP, Oct. 27, 2009)
• Authorization of Investigational Antiviral Drug Peramivir for H1N1 Cases (CDC, Oct. 26, 2009)
• Antiviral Medication Update (Oct. 14, 2009)
• Laboratory Testing Protocol for the Surveillance of Novel H1N1 Influenza and Seasonal Influenza (DSHS, Sept. 25, 2009)
• 10 Steps You Can Take: Actions for Novel H1N1 Influenza Planning and Response for Medical Offices and Outpatient Facilities (CDC)
• Emergency Physicians Issue Detailed Strategic Plan on Managing H1N1 In Emergency Departments  (July 6, 2009)
• Q&A: Antiviral Drugs   (CDC)
• Interim Guidance for Clinicians and Public Health Professionals

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Physicians Treating Pediatric Patients

• Planning Guide for Vaccinating Pediatric Patients Against 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Primary Healthcare Settings (CDC, Oct. 16, 2009)
• 2009-2010 Influenza Season Triage Algorithm for Children (=18 years) With Influenza-Like Illness (PDF, CDC, Oct. 16, 2009)  
• Recommendations for Antiviral Medications for Children and Adolescents  (CDC, Oct. 16, 2009)

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Additional Resources

• AMA’s Web-Based Flu Assessment for Physicians and Patients
• Texas State Stockpile Antiviral Medications (DSHS)
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Return-to-Work Guidelines for Health Care Workers (Oct. 20, 2009)
• Providing and Reporting H1N1 Vaccine (Oct. 14, 2009)
• Bacterial Coinfections from Fatal Cases of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) (MMWR Weekly, Sept. 29, 2009)
• Coding for Vaccines and Administration
• Medicare Billing Chart for Vaccines (PDF)
• Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine Reimbursement Rates by State (PDF)
• DSHS Health Service Regions 
• Twitter: Follow CDC  Emergency
• World Health Organization (WHO)

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Last Published: 11/20/2009