GSK offers free vaccines for low income adults without insurance coverage

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) today announced the launch of the GSK Vaccines Access Program, which will provide the company's adult vaccines free of charge to eligible, low income individuals who do not have insurance coverage for vaccines.  The program will cover the company's FDA-approved vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis for eligible persons ages 19 and older.  The program also includes GSK's cervical cancer vaccine for women ages 19 to 25 who, due to their age are not covered under the national Vaccines for Children program, and who meet other eligibility requirements.  

"Vaccines are one of the most effective ways we can prevent and fight disease, and subsequently, help drive down the cost of healthcare in the United States," said Deirdre Connelly, GSK's President North America Pharmaceuticals. "Unfortunately, vaccines are severely under-utilized by American adults.  Through the introduction of the GSK Vaccines Access Program, we hope to break down one of the barriers to routine vaccination, ensuring that adults have access to these important preventative measures."

In the United States, children up through age 18 are eligible to receive free vaccines under a separate federally-funded entitlement program called Vaccines for Children (VFC), once a vaccine is approved by the FDA and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

However, a similar program does not exist for adults, and gaps in coverage, coupled with a lack of routine doctor visits, have led to lower immunization rates among Americans over the age of 18.  The GSK Vaccine Access Program will help adults over the age of 18 who lack insurance and whose income is not more than 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($27,075 for a single person household or $36,425 for a couple) obtain free vaccinations.

Details of the GSK Vaccine Access Program can be found online at GSK-VAP.com or by calling 877-VACC-911 (822-2911).

GSK offers a number of other programs to help patients get access to the medicines they need. In 2009, 466,000 patients received GSK medicines worth over $507 million (WAC) through our US programs.  Information on all of the programs can be found at www.gskforyou.com. The programs are:

• Bridges to Access program for non-cancer medicines. It provides same-day access to GSK medicines if the patient is enrolled by an advocate or mail-order access to medicines if the patient enrolls themselves in the program. There are no application or enrollment fees and low to no co-pay.
• Commitment to Access program for oncology and specialty pharmacy products. Patients must apply with the help of an advocate.  Income eligibility is $54,150 for a household of one; $72,850 for two persons; and $110,250 for a family of four.
• GSK Access for eligible Medicare Part D enrollees who have spent at least $600 on prescription medicines this year.
• GSK co-pay assistance program offered via CARES by GSK - program that provides assistance with the copayment for certain oncology and specialty products for patients who satisfy eligibility requirements.  

In addition to the programs that GSK sponsors, GSK participates in Together Rx Access, a free savings card program for those who are not eligible for Medicare.  This program was created in 2005 by several pharmaceutical companies, including GSK.  Together Rx Access provides savings on more than 275 products.  A Together Rx Access participant cannot be eligible for Medicare, cannot have prescription coverage, and must be a legal US resident with household income equal to or less than: $30,000 for a single person, $40,000 for a family of two, $50,000 for a family of three, $60,000 for a family of four, or $70,000 for a family of five. Together Rx Access information and applications are available via www.TogetherRxAccess.com or 1-800-444-4106.

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline