CMS Issues Proposed Rule to Expand Influenza Vaccination Access in Hospitals - May 3, 2011

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 29 announced the release of a proposed rule that would require Medicare providers, including hospitals, to comply with updated conditions of participation aimed at expanding patient access to seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. In particular, the proposed rule would require hospitals to establish policies in both the inpatient and outpatient settings to offer and provide the seasonal influenza vaccine to all patients (except those who decline the vaccine or for whom vaccination is contraindicated) as soon as the vaccine becomes available, from Sept. 1 through the end of February each year. The hospital must also develop procedures to educate patients or their representatives about the benefits and risks of vaccination and document that such offer and education has taken place. Separate procedures would be implemented in the case of a pandemic event. Comments on the proposed rule are due by July 5.