National Immunization Awareness Month
- ICUBA
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
August marks National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in the United States, an annual observance that underscores the critical importance of staying current with vaccinations across all stages of life, from infancy and childhood through adulthood. Hosted during the entire month of August, NIAM aims to remind individuals & communities to check their immunization status, particularly as back-to-school season and flu season are fast approaching.
Why immunizations matter:
Vaccines save lives, CDC data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that tens of thousands of adults died annually in the U.S. from vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Timely immunization is especially important for infants, preteens, pregnant people, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Strong immunization coverage creates herd immunity, protecting the most vulnerable in the community.
CDC data indicates more than 1,300 confirmed measles cases (the highest number of confirmed cases since 1992) were reported across the United States - about 13% of those cases required hospitalization. There have been 29 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 87% of confirmed cases (1,154 of the 1,319) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
Important GLP-1 Coverage Update Effective October 1, 2025
GLP-1 medications used for weight loss will no longer be covered under the ICUBA medical and pharmacy benefit plans. This change applies to all members using GLP-1 medications (such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and others) for weight management, including members with Type 1 diabetes who have been prescribed GLP-1 medications for weight management.
This decision was made after careful evaluation of clinical guidelines, cost-effectiveness, and the long-term sustainability of benefits for all ICUBA members. ICUBA remains committed to supporting your health and wellbeing and offers a broad range of resources and programs to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you are currently using GLP-1 medication for weight loss, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about alternative treatment options.
If you are prescribed a GLP-1 medication to treat Type 2 diabetes, this change does not apply to you. Coverage for GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, and others will continue when prescribed and used for the management of Type 2 diabetes. Download the PDF notice mailed to ICUBA members currently taking GLP-1 medication for weight loss below. Additional notices will be sent directly to members from Virta/Optum Rx via US mail.
Help us train Benny!
Meet Benny Fitz - ICUBA’s new AI chat assistant.
Benny is learning about ICUBA’s benefits to help you find the resources you’ll need to navigate your benefits. The more questions you ask Benny, the more he’ll be able to help you find what you’re looking for. Please keep in mind, Benny cannot answer questions about choosing your benefits, selecting healthcare providers, or finding care. To chat with Benny, visit the iHUB and click on the chat with Benny button.
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