Angela K. Shen, ScD, MPH

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Angela K. Shen, ScD, MPH is a Visiting Research Scientist at the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, retired Captain in the US Public Health Services, and a public health consultant.

Areas of Expertise: Public health, Health policy, Epidemiology, Global Health, Health services research, Immunizations
Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Angela K. Shen, ScD, MPH is a public health leader, scientist, and health services researcher.  She is a Visiting Research Scientist in the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a retired Captain in the US Public Health Service. Dr. Shen served over 22 years with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health’s National Vaccine Program Office. She also served at USAID in the Bureau of Global Health, leading routine immunizations and has supported the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Botswana. 

Dr. Shen is a recognized expert in public health practice, policy, research and FDA-regulation. She specializes in vaccines and immunizations and was a designated federal official for the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. Dr. Shen also served on the adult working group of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 

Dr. Shen co-founded and co-launched the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) in 2012 with the American Medical Association and the CDC.  She also led the NAIIS Quality and Performance Measures Working Group including the development of two new adult composite measures, one for prenatal women and one for adults.  These two measures were adopted into the 2019 HEDIS® dataset, one of health care’s most widely used performance measurement tools. 

She is the recipient of over 13 civilian awards, including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service (2006) and the Assistant Secretary for Health’s Special Recognition Award (2008) and 31 Uniformed Service awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal (2017), four Outstanding Service Medals (2017, 2017, 2007, 2007), three Commendation Medals (2017, 2012, 2010), the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2006), the Presidential Unit Citation (2015), the Foreign Duty Award (2004), and the Junior Officer of the Year (2007). In 2014, Dr. Shen was named Loma Linda University School of Public Health Alumnus of the Year.  

Education and Training

Fellowship

Senior Fellow of the Leonard Davis Institute

Undergraduate Degree

BS - University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Graduate Degree

ScD - Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA

Master of Public Health – Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA

Titles and Academic Titles

Visiting Research Scientist, Vaccine Education Center

Captain (ret), U.S. Public Health Service

WHO Consultant

Senior Fellow of the Leonard Davis Institute

Adjunct Associate Professor of Medical Bioethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Selected Publications

2021

Jonathan D. Moreno, Angela K. Shen, and Jason L. Schwartz. Efficacy  is Relative in a Public Health Crisis: Evaluating the Next Wave of Covid-19 Vaccines.” The Hastings Center. January 29, 2021.  https://www.thehastingscenter.org/efficacy-is-relative-in-a-public-healt...

2020

Angela K. Shen and Elizabeth Sobczyk. “Unraveling a composite measure to drive immunization uptake in adults: a critical compromise”. Health Affairs Blog. August 20, 2020. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200817.901186/full/

Angela K. Shen.  “Vaccinate Yourself and Your Family: Call, Don’t Delay”. Voices for Vaccines.  August 2020. https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/vaccinate-yourself-and-your-family-cal...

Angela K. Shen.  “Why Routine Immunizations are a Must—Even During a Pandemic” June 11, 2020.  ASTHO Experts Blog.   https://www.astho.org/StatePublicHealth/Why-Routine-Immunizations-are-a-...

2019

Angela K. Shen, Richard Hughes IV, Emily Sobel, Alessandra Fix, Marissa Shaw.  “Shaping the 2020 National Vaccine Plan in a Changing Immunization Landscape.” Health Affairs Blog. December 16, 2019. DOI:10.1377/hblog20191212.484779 https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20191212.484779/full/

Angela K. Shen and Elizabeth Sobczyk. “Moving More Electrons to Optimize New Adult Composite Immunization Measures”. Health Affairs Blog. September 20, 2019. DOI: 10.1377/hblog20190919.68890 https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190919.68890/full/

Angela K. Shen. “Measles Madness and Value: Gene Therapy, Prevention, and the Pre-Vaccine Era" Health Affairs Blog, June 12, 2019. DOI: 10.1377/hblog20190610.789872 https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190610.789872/full/

2018

Shen AK, Cooke T. Pipeline Review for Infectious Disease Vaccines.  Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 19 December 2018 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41573-018-00011-6

National Vaccine Advisory Committee.  Strengthening the Effectiveness of National, State, and Local efforts to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage in the United States: Recommendations of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.  Public Health Rep. 2018; 133(5):543-550. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354918793629

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Encouraging Vaccine Innovation: Promoting the Development of Vaccines that Minimize the Burden of Infectious Diseases in the 21st Century. March 2018.  https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/encouraging_vaccine_innovation_2...

Publications

Papers

2020

Shen, AK, Kimmins LM, Bramer CA, Swanson R, Vranesich P, Orenstein W.  Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immunization Services Across the Lifespan in Michigan, January – September 2020.  AJPH.  Submitted for publication.

Schmidt H, Weintraub R, Sadecki E, Williams M, Sadecki E, Wu H, Doiphode A, Gostin L, Shen AK. Equitable vaccine allocation of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines: an analysis of the CDC’s jurisdictions’ initial vaccination plans.  Nature Medicine.  Submitted for publication. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3740041

Craig S, Shen AK, Pak-Gorstein S, Dalembert G, Wallis K, Yun K. Improving telemedicine access for pediatric patients and caregivers with limited English proficiency.  Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.  Submitted for publication. 

Roth L, Byron S, Avani T, Shen AK.  Achieving multi-stakeholder consensus in the development of a composite adult immunization quality measure.  American Journal of Managed Care.  Submitted for publication.

Byron S, Roth L, Acton R, Shen AK. Harnessing Electronic Clinical Data to Report Adult and Prenatal Immunization Quality Measures.  Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.  Submitted for publication. 

Ryan M, Yu A, Shen AK, Boulanger L.  Enabling a Digital Environment for Coordination, Readiness, and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic for Vaccine Deployment and More.  Bulletin of the World Health Organization.  Accepted for publication.

Trotter AB, Abbott EK, Coyle R, Shen AK. Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination: A Call to Action for Clinicians in the United States on Immunization Information systems.  Annals of Internal Medicine.  Accepted for publication.   

Shen AK, Hughes R, DeWald E, Rosenbaum S, Pisani A, Orenstein W.  Ensuring Equitable Access to Novel COVID-19 Vaccines in the US: Current System Challenges and Opportunities.  Health Affairs.  Published Ahead of Print 19 November 2020. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01554

Bramer CA, Kimmins LM, Swanson R, Kuo J, Vranesich P, Jacques-Carroll LA, Shen AK.  Decline in Child Vaccination Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Michigan Care Improvement Registry, May 2016–May 2020.  MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 May 18;(29).  https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6920e1

Shen AK, Orenstein W. Continued Challenges With Medicaid Coverage of Adult Vaccines and Vaccination Services. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(4):e203887. https://doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3887

Shen AK. Finding a Way to Address a Wicked Problem: Vaccines, Vaccination, and a Shared Understanding.  Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2020;16(5):1030-1033. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1695458

Bramer CA, Kimmins LM, Swanson R, Kuo J, Vranesich P, Jacques-Carroll LA, Shen AK.  Decline in Child Vaccination Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Michigan Care Improvement Registry, May 2016–May 2020.  MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 May 18;(29).  https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6920e1

Shen AK, Orenstein W. Continued Challenges With Medicaid Coverage of Adult Vaccines and Vaccination Services. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(4):e203887. https://doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3887

2019

Shen AK. Finding a Way to Address a Wicked Problem: Vaccines, Vaccination, and a Shared Understanding.  Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.  https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1695458

Shen AK, Warnock R, Selna W, Chu S, Kelman JA. Patient Characteristics of Medicare Beneficiaries Who Report Not getting Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations, 2001-2013. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics.  https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1688033

Shen AK, Warnock R, Selna W, MaCurdy TE, Chu S, Kelman JA. Characteristics of Vaccinating Providers Reported through Medicare Claims in Office-Based Settings: Volume of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations. Vaccine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.029

Yarnoff B, Khavjou L, King G, Bates L, Zhou F, Leidner AJ, Shen AK. Analysis of the Profitability of Adult Vaccination in 13 Private Provider Practices in the United States.  Vaccine. 2019; 37(42):6180-6185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.08.056

Poland GA, Hall LL, Powell JA, for the Advisory Group. Effective and equitable influenza vaccine coverage in older and vulnerable adults: The Need for evidence-based innovation and transformation. Vaccine. 2019;37(16):2167-2170.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.076

Shen AK, Groom AV, Leach DL, Bridges CB, Tsai AY, Tan L.  Promoting Adult Vaccination through the Development and Use of Composite Measurement: A Partnership-Driven Roadmap to Strengthen the Vaccine Delivery System.  Vaccine. 2019;37:1277-1283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.044

Shen AK, Warnock R, Selna W, Chu S, Kelman JA. Vaccination Among Medicare-Fee-For Service Beneficiaries: Characteristics and Predictors of Vaccine Receipt, 2014-2017. Vaccine. 2019;37(9):1194-1201.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.010

Shen AK, Khavjou L, King G, Bates L, Zhou F, Leidner AJ, Yarnoff B. Provider Time and Costs to Vaccinate Adult Patients: Impact of Time Counseling Without Vaccination.  Vaccine. 2019;37(6):792-797.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.12.045

2018

Shen AK, Williams WW, O’Halloran AC, Groom AV, Lu P, Tsai AY, Lindley MC. Promoting Adult Immunization Using Population-Based Data for a Composite Measure.  Am J Prev Med. 2018;55(4):517-523.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.04.050

Shen AK, Warnock R, Chu S, Kelman JA. Receipt of Other Routinely Recommended Vaccines Relative to Receipt of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines: Trends from Medicare Administrative Data, 2013-2015. Vaccine. 2018. 36(30):4399-4403.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.06.020

Shen AK, Warnock R, Brereton S, McKean S, Wernecke M, Chu S, Kelman JA. Influenza Vaccination Coverage Estimates in the Fee-For Service Medicare Beneficiary Population 2006 - 2016: Using Population-Based Administrative Data to Support a Geographic Based Near Real-Time Tool.  Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2018:1-10.  https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1462067

2017

Shen AK, Warnock R, Kelman JA. Driving Immunization through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A Growing Opportunity. Vaccine. 2017;35(50):6938-6940.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.055

Shen AK, Kelman JA, Warnock R, Zhang W, Brereton S, McKean S, Wernecke M, Chu S, Gellin BG. Beneficiary Characteristics and Vaccinations in the End-Stage Renal Disease Medicare Beneficiary Population, An Analysis of Claims Data 2009-2015. Vaccine. 2017;35(52):7302-7308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.105

Nowak GJ, Shen AK, Schwartz JL. Using campaigns to improve perceptions of the value of adult vaccination in the United States: Health Communication Considerations and Insights. Vaccine. 2017;35(42):5543-5550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.08.064

Shen AK, Tsai AY, Birkhead GS.  A review of policy, practices, and players governing and involved in the United States vaccine and immunization enterprise. International Journal of Health Governance. 2017;22(3):138-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-05-2017-0023

2016

Cowen AE, Clark SJ, Gordon J, Bok K, Shen, AK. Vaccine purchasing groups: An overview of their policies and practices.  Vaccine.  2016;34:5060-5065.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.08.080

Gellin B, Shen AK, Fish R, Zettle M, Uscher-Pines L, Ringel J. The National Adult Immunization Plan: Strengthening Adult Immunization through Coordinated Action.  Am J Prev Med. 2016;51(6):1079-1083.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.04.014

Shen AK, Weiss JM, Pecenka C, Andrus J, Atherly D, Hall S, Taylor K, McQuestion M. Country ownership and Gavi transition: comprehensive approaches to support new vaccine introduction.  Health Aff(Millwood).  2016;35(2):272-276.  https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1418

2015

Shen AK, Farrell M, Vandenbroucke M, Fox E, Pablos-Mendez A.  Applying lessons learned from the USAID family planning graduation experience to the GAVI graduation process.   Health Policy Plan. 2015;30:687-695. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czu045

2014

Shen AK, Fields R, McQuestion M. Routine immunization in the developing world: challenges and opportunities. Glob Health Sci Pract.  2014;2(4):381-394. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00137

Shen AK, Clay R, Pablos-Mendez A.  Global Immunization Through a Development Lens.  Public Health Rep.  2014;129(3):4-6. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549141295S302

Trostle R and Shen AK.  Three decades of USAID investments in immunization through the child survival revolution.  Emerg Microbes Infect. 2014;3:1-9.  https://doi.org/10.1038/emi.2014.13

Shen AK, O’Grady MJ, McDevitt RD, Pickreign JD, Laudenberger LK, Esber A, Shortridge EF.  How might immunization rates change if first dollar coverage is eliminated?  Public Health Rep.  2014;129(1):39-46.  https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491412900107

2013

Shen AK, Bridges CB, Tan LJ.  The First National Adult Immunization Summit 2012: Implementing Change through Action.  Vaccine, 2013;31(2):279-84.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.11.033

2012

Suarthana, E, Shen AK, Henneberger PK, Kreiss K, Leppla NC, Bueller D, Petsonk EL. Post-Hire Asthma among Insect Rearing Workers.  J Occup Environ Med, 2012;54(3);310-317.  https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31823fe098

2011

Shen AK, Sobczyk E, Simonson L, Khan F, Esber A, Andreae M.  Financial barriers to providers for the use of combination vaccines.  Pediatrics. 2011;128(6); 1087-1093. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0025

Shortridge EF, Moore JR, Whitmore H, O’Grady, MJ, Shen, AK.  The policy implications of first-dollar coverage:  a qualitative examination from the payer perspective.  Public Health Rep. 2011;126;394-9.  https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491112600313

Shen AK, Mead PS, Beard CB. The Lyme Disease Vaccine – A Public Health Perspective.  Clin Infect Dis. 2011;52 Suppl 3:s247-52.  https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciq115

Shen AK, Spinner JR, Salmon D, Gellin, BG.  Strengthening the U.S. Vaccine and Immunization Enterprise: Role of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.  Public Health Rep. 2011;126;4-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491112600103

Shen AK, Sobzcyk E, Buchannan A, Wu L, Duggan-Goldstein S.  Second National Immunization Congress 2010:  Addressing Vaccine Financing for the Future in the United States.  Hum Vaccin. 2011;7(1); 12-18. https://doi.org/10.4161/hv.7.1.13949

2009

Shen AK.  The vaccine enterprise: working to sustain and foster vaccine innovation.  Hum Vaccin. 2009; 5(10); 649-653.  https://doi.org/10.4161/hv.5.10.9215

Gellin BG and Shen, AK.  Financing Vaccines:  A Cornerstone of Prevention.  Pediatrics. 2009; 124(suppl 5); S457-S458.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1542D

Shen AK, Hunsaker J, Lindley MC, Gazmarian JA, Birkhead GS.  Role of Health Insurance in Financing Vaccinations for Children and Adolescents in the United States.  Pediatrics. 2009; 124(suppl 5); S522-S528.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1542D

Shen AK, Rodewald LE, Birkhead GS. The Perspective of Vaccine Manufacturers on the Financing of Pediatric and Adolescent Vaccines in the U.S.  Pediatrics. 2009; 124(suppl 5); S540-S547.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1542N

Lindley MC, Shen AK, Orenstein WA, Rodewald LE, Birkhead GS. Financing Childhood and Adolescent Vaccines: Challenges to the Current System. Pediatrics. 2009; 124(suppl 5); S548-S557.  https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1542O

Posters and Presentations

2020

“Cutting Through the Noise: Market Evolution and Pathways to Access for COVID-19 Vaccines” Panel – World Vaccine Congress.  Washington, DC (held virtually), 18-Sept 2020.

“Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in the United States: The Last Hurdle” – Health Affairs Symposium: Promoting Innovation and Equity as COVID-19 Vaccines & Treatment Emerge. Washington, DC (held virtually), 24-Aug 2020. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/he20200803.313351/full/

“All Things Vaccines: Influenza Vaccination, 2020-2021” – Bucks County Immunization Coalition.  Bucks County, PA, 19-Aug 2020.

2018

“Demonstrating Rising Influenza Vaccine Equity (DRIVE) Demonstration Project: Plaza del Sol Family Health” – Sustainable Health Communities. Queens, NY, 17-Nov 2018.

“AIM Webinar – Quality Measures” – Association of Immunization Manager, 18-Dec 2018.

“Demonstrating Rising Influenza Vaccine Equity (DRIVE) Demonstration Project: Christina Care Health System” – Sustainable Health Communities. Wilmington, DE, 17-Nov 2018.

Keynote speaker: “Future Vaccines: What’s coming down the horizon” – American Medical Group Association Adult Immunization Best Practices Learning Collaborative. San Antonio, Tx, 19-Oct 2018.

Keynote speaker: Region IV Stakeholder Engagement Meeting: “Improving Adult Immunizations Rates: Partnering to Develop Strategies to Overcome Barriers”, 14-Jun-2018.

“Driving Immunization Through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A Growing opportunity” (Poster) – 2018 National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit, 18-May-2018.

“A Fireside Chat About Quality Measurement in Prevention: Levers in the HealthCare Delivery System” – 2018 National Immunization Conference, 17-May-2018.

“New Measures for Adult Immunization on the Horizon: A Prenatal and An Adult Composite Measure” – 2018 National Immunization Conference, 16-May-2018.

“Driving Immunization Through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A Growing opportunity” – 2018 National Immunization Conference, 15-May-2018

 

Awards and Honors

  • 2019 National Adult Immunization Excellence Award: Adult Immunization Publication: Shen AK, Warnock R, Selna W, Chu S, Kelman JA. Vaccination Among Medicare-Fee-For Service Beneficiaries: Characteristics and Predictors of Vaccine Receipt, 2014-2017. Vaccine. 2019;37(9):1194-1201.
  • 2018 National Adult Immunization Excellence Award: Adult Immunization Publication: Shen AK, Warnock R, Kelman JA. Driving Immunization through the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: A Growing Opportunity. Vaccine. 2017;35(50):6938-6940. 
  • Received 11 civilian awards including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service (2006) and the Assistant Secretary for Health’s Special Recognition Award (2008). 
  • CAPT (ret) United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (2002-2018); Received 31 Uniformed Service awards including the Meritorious Service Medal (2017), four Outstanding Service Medals (2017, 2017, 2007, 2007), three Commendation Medals (2017, 2012, 2010), the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2006), the Presidential Unit Citation (2015), the Foreign Duty Award (2004), and the Junior Officer of the Year (2007).

     

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

Health care Organizations, University of North Georgia Press

Reviewer

  • Vaccine
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine
  • PLoS
  • Health Affairs
  • Human Vaccines and Immunotherapies
  • BMC
  • Global Health Science and Practice
  • Health Policy and Planning

Leadership and Memberships

National Leadership Positions

  • Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS), 2012, 2015-2018
  • NAIIS Co-Chair | Quality Measures Working Group, Maternal Immunization, Adult Composite, and End Stage Renal Disease, 2012, 2015-2018
  • HHS Interagency Chair | 21st Century Cures Act Report to Congress on Vaccine Innovation, 2017-2018
  • Chair | HHS Interagency Influenza Task Force, Employer Working Group, 2010 – 2012
  • Chair | NVAC Financing Working Group, 2006 – 2009

Expert Groups

  • National Quality Forum, Adult Immunization Strategy Expert Panel, January 2021
  • Washington, DC Department of Health, Immunization Practices Advisory Committee, 2016-2018
  • Pharmacy Quality Alliance Adult Immunization Task Force, 2016-2018
  • WHO Global Ebola Vaccine Deployment Team, 2015
  • Gavi 2016-2020 Coverage and Equity Alliance Advisory Group, 2014 - 2015
  • Maternal and Child Health Integrated Project Family Planning Immunization Integration Working Group, 2014-2015
  • MenAfriNet (regional meningitis surveillance network), 2014 - 2015