As states develop COVID-19 vaccination efforts to achieve newly eligible kids ages 5 to 11, a brand new KFF evaluation highlights a number of instruments state Medicaid applications have at their disposal to extend entry to, and take up of, vaccines amongst lower-income kids.
Among the many key findings:
- States can request Medicaid administrative federal matching funds for state-funded financial incentives to encourage uptake of the vaccine. In current months, a number of states reported actions and incentives inside contracted Medicaid managed care organizations to advertise vaccine take-up amongst Medicaid enrollees, together with present playing cards for members and supplier incentives.
- Federal Medicaid matching funds can be utilized for group outreach concentrating on beneficiaries and suppliers, together with disseminating data or supplies and offering trainings. Methods using trusted and various messengers of vaccine data will help with training and outreach to oldsters and different caregivers.
- Some state Medicaid applications have reported offering help with scheduling vaccinations and coordinating transportation to extend entry to vaccines, in addition to partnering with community-based organizations to offer vaccines the place folks can simply entry them.
Thirty-six % of kids ages 5-11 are lined by Medicaid, together with the overwhelming majority of low-income kids and a disproportionate share of kids of coloration. In current KFF polling, low-income dad and mom reported extra issues about accessing the vaccine, equivalent to taking day without work work or touring to a spot to obtain a vaccine.
For extra polling, information and analyses about COVID-19 and vaccination efforts, go to kff.org.