Coverage of vaccines in private health plans: what does the public prefer?

Underinsurance for recommended vaccines in private health plans may affect 15 percent of children and more than 30 percent of adults. We conducted a nationally representative, Web-based study using health plan vignettes to determine adults' willingness to bear marginally higher plan premiums, to assure plan coverage of new vaccines as they are recommended for children and adults. Our results indicate a broad willingness (more than 75 percent of respondents) to pay the higher premiums. Such willingness was associated strongly with perceptions of vaccines' effectiveness and safety. Policymakers, physicians, and public health officials should examine health plan enrollees' preferences as they consider remedies for vaccine underinsurance.