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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-17-2009 - 4dORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 17, 2009 Action AgenAda J Item No. SUBJECT: Receipt of Funds for H1N1 Influenza Response Phase III and Immunization Funds for Vaccine Storage DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: None Rosemary Summers, 245-2411 PURPOSE: To accept funds for H1 N1 Influenza Response Phase III and Immunization Funds for Vaccine Storage. BACKGROUND: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allocated funds to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for pandemic flu preparation and response, specifically H1N1 influenza response. The CDC made funds available to states, and in turn the NC Division of Public Health is distributing these funds to each local health department on a population- based formula. The funding has been in three separate phases: Phase I is for planning, Phase II is for enhanced surveillance and Phase III is for implementation of vaccinations and distribution of antivirals as needed. The Presidential Declaration of a Nationwide Public Health Emergency also activated the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the oversight agency for all funding. Phase I and II funding was approved for receipt by the Board of Commissioners in October. The Health Department will use Phase III funding for the purpose of implementing the County pandemic influenza (pan flu) plan and for activities that will enable the Health Department to provide vaccinations to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus and to distribute antivirals in accordance with CDC directives on distribution. • Phase III Scope of Work includes: Provide vaccinations to the public as vaccine supply becomes available in accordance with the County pandemic flu plan. Distribute vaccine to medical providers that wish to give the vaccine but do not have the volume to receive direct shipments. Monitor the vaccine inventory coming into the County to all medical providers, pharmacies, the University and the hospital. Work with partners to ensure that vaccine supplies are being used in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Accept and either re-distribute or return surplus vaccine from medical providers who cannot use their shipped supply. 2 • The federal guidance has strict guidelines for non-supplantation of staff and operating budgets. The Health Department is projecting that these funds will be used to outsource making appointments for small H1N1 regularly scheduled vaccination clinics; hiring temporary staff to register patients and give vaccinations, supplies, advertising, printing and duplicating; additional personal protective equipment and supplies; and quantitative fit testing equipment and supplies. In addition, funds will be used to support the costs associated with a mass vaccination site should there be sufficient supplies of vaccine at any one time to run such a site. Vaccine is being released in weekly distributions, and generally have been small quantities at any one time. As of October 31, the Orange County Health Department had received a total of 1,800 doses of vaccine-700 flu mist and 1,100 injectable. The Department provided 320 doses of flu mist and 140 injectable vaccines to medical providers that had not received vaccine but were able to give it to priority populations. The remaining doses have been given by the Health Department in either walk-in or "by appointment" clinics. The Department will continue "by appointment" clinics until vaccine is received in sufficient supply to hold a mass vaccination clinic. In addition, the Department has received funds from the NC Public Health Immunization Branch in a special one-time allocation of $7,000 to enable the Department to purchase cold chain equipment that will ensure that vaccine is held at the proper temperature. The Department plans to purchase two Vaxcools (portable refrigeration units) that will be able to ensure adequate cold chain supply of vaccine at an off-site mass vaccination clinic that is scheduled to operate for an extended period of time. In addition, the funds will pay for set-up and contracting for monitoring of additional in-clinic vaccine refrigerators. FINANCIAL IMPACT: A total of $301,601 is available for Phase 111 of this project. These funds must be spent by May 31, 2010. A preliminary line item budget will be submitted as staff clarifies authorized expenditures. Immunization funds are available in the amount of $7,000 and must be invoiced no later than December 31, 2009. These funds will be used to purchase equipment for cold chain preservation of vaccine. RECOMMENDATION{S}: The Manager recommends the Board: • Accept funding in the amount of $301,601 for the purpose of implementing the pandemic flu plan in response to the Presidential Declaration of a Public Health Emergency for the H1 N1 flu pandemic; and • Accept funding in the amount of $7,000 for the purchase of equipment and a monitoring contract for cold chain preservation of vaccine; and Authorize hiring non-permanent staff sufficient to provide administrative support and nurses for vaccinating the pubic; and • Approve the corresponding budget amendment.