HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-18-2009 - 4hORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 18, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-
SUBJECT: Additional Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Funds
DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
None Rosemary Summers, 245-2411
PURPOSE: To accept additional seasonal influenza vaccination funds.
BACKGROUND: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocated funds to the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for vaccinations, including seasonal influenza. The CDC
made funds available to states that wished to participate and in turn the NC Division of Public
Health offered optional participation to each health department. The required focus of the
influenza project is on school age children, specifically in the school setting. A minimum of five
grade levels must be targeted. Research studies show that higher rates of immunization among
school age children yield lower rates of influenza in the broader community.
The Health Department, in consultation with both school systems, is targeting upper elementary
and middle school children in both public school systems. The Department estimates that 75%
of the children in these grade levels will be voluntarily vaccinated through this special project.
These grades were selected as they are less likely to receive an influenza vaccination from their
private provider because regular provider visits are at longer intervals for these age groups. In
addition, younger children often require the presence of a parent to assist in holding the child
during the vaccination. School policies do not allow physical restraint by anyone other than a
parent.
Orange County's allocation for this project is $44,228.37. Each of the two school systems will
receive $1,105.71 as part of this allocation to be used as needed. The ARRA encourages the
creation of jobs for the duration of this project. Since current staffing is not adequate to
accomplish this project, funds will be utilized to hire contract personnel for project
implementation. A contract project coordinator, contract nurses, and school nurses will be the
primary implementers under the direction of the Community Health Services Nursing
Supervisor. Supplemental staffing will be provided by the Orange County Medical Reserve
Corps. Overtime funding for current staff members will be necessary for required data entry.
Vaccine and sample educational tools will be provided by the State.
2
The outcome of this project is anticipated to produce a lower influenza rate community wide for
strains covered by the seasonal influenza vaccine.
This project is for seasonal influenza vaccinations only and should not be confused with the
anticipated arrival of novel H1 N1 vaccine toward the end of the calendar year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The $44,228.37 should be adequate to cover costs associated with this
project. A final budget will be determined once final requirements are transmitted by the state.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends the Board accept funding in the
amount of $44,228.37 for the purpose of seasonal influenza vaccinations in two public school
systems and approve the corresponding budget amendment.