Board approves two new vaccine fees as public‑health staff warn of high flu and recent measles exposures

The Consolidated Human Services Board approved two new public‑health fees after staff said state‑supplied vaccine lots could expire and fee authorization is required to bill commercial insurers.

Tracy Colley presented two CPT codes the department plans to charge for: 90611 for a combined smallpox/monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS) and 90661 for an influenza vaccine. Colley and staff described clinic procedures, use of a sliding fee scale tied to federal poverty guidelines for uninsured residents, monitoring of lot usage and the practice of only charging when the department does not receive free vaccine supply. The board moved and approved both fees.

Public health also delivered a monthly communicable‑illness update: influenza‑like illness rates are higher nationally than in the past six years and a late mutation in the predominant A(H3N2) strain reduced expected vaccine match. Staff cited preliminary data indicating the vaccine may still reduce hospitalizations substantially in children and older adults. The county reported three recent measles rule‑outs (all negative) and staff outlined preparedness measures, including testing supplies and toolkits for school and child‑care partners. The county has tracked several TB cases and continued latent TB infection follow‑up.

Board members asked about long‑term safety data for JYNNEOS, how sliding fees affect revenue, and whether clinics will be able to avoid wasting state‑supplied doses. Staff said JYNNEOS was developed for smallpox and has been used historically; they monitor usage and three‑week inventory and will only bill insurers when appropriate. The communicable‑disease update will be provided monthly going forward.