The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
Dear Colleague:
Effective October 1, 2011, there will be a change to the standard infant formulas offered by the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program due to a change in the region’s infant formula rebate contract. Mead Johnson Enfamil PREMIUM Infant and Enfamil ProSobee Soy will be the primary WIC milk- and soy-based formulas (replacing the Gerber Good Start formulas).
In Massachusetts, WIC currently serves about 130,000 participants. For 2011, nearly $20 million has been recovered from the WIC infant formula rebate contract enabling the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program to serve an additional 30,600 participants, almost 24% of the caseload.
Beginning October 1ST, we will be changing all formula-fed infants receiving milk- and soy-based formulas to the appropriate Mead Johnson product. We are asking all Massachusetts practitioners to use Mead Johnson formulas for their formula-fed WIC infants upon delivery at that time, so that infants will not have to switch formulas when they are certified for WIC services. Special formulas will continue to be available for infants with appropriately documented diagnosed medical problems.
WIC will continue to promote breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method. Please remember that breastfed infants will not routinely receive formula from WIC in the birth month in order to protect a mother’s growing milk supply. As you may be aware, WIC offers a wide range of breastfeeding services, including individualized breastfeeding support, peer counselors, prenatal breastfeeding classes and help accessing pumps.
The WIC Program remains committed to the coordination of services with health care providers in order to ensure the optimal health and nutritional status of mothers and children in Massachusetts. We look forward to working with you and your staff to achieve these mutual goals. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local WIC program or call the state WIC office at 800.942.1007.
Sincerely,
Judy Hause
Director, Massachusetts WIC Program
Nutrition Division, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
