HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-05-2005-6cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 5, 2005
Action Agenda ,
Item No. ~=G
SUBJECT: Influenza Vaccine Supply Resolution and Pandemic Preparations
DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Influenza Vaccine Supply Resolution Rosemary Summers, 245-2411
PURPOSE: To consider adopting an "Influenza Vaccine Supply Resolution" and to hear an
update on local plans far pandemic response.
BACKGROUND: For the past several years, there have been problems with influenza vaccine
supplies, Two years ago, there was a general shortage of vaccine produced relative to the
demand in the population, and last year one of the major US producers of the vaccine was
unable to receive the Food and Drug Administration's certification of vaccine for distribution,
This year, while there appears to be adequate supplies, the distribution seems to favor large
purchasers without giving priority to government or safety net providers. In addition, the public
this year appears to be very concerned with the potential for a pandemic influenza event,
heightening the public sensitivity to both influenza vaccine supplies and to antivirals that may be
needed in a response to a pandemic event, Vaccination against influenza is an annual event
that merits attention on its own; however, it also serves to identify holes in priority distribution
systems on a general basis.
Locally, the Health Department, along with its partners, is diligent in preparing for potential
public health emergency situations, The Health Department recently held two public "Flu Blitz"
clinics that were also used as mass medication distribution exercises to test the readiness and
ability to process large numbers of the public in a short amount of time, Both of those clinics
were successful in their mission, with nearly 700 individuals being vaccinated in less than 3
hours at the first clinic held at Smith Middle School and approximately 600 individuals
vaccinated in 7 hours at the second clinic at Cedar Ridge High School (250 in the first hour).
The mass medication plan identifies these two schools as distribution sites along with Stanford
Middle School and Culbreth Middle School, Holding the flu clinics at these sites enabled the
partners to test the efficacy of using them as sites, As is typical in exercises, the Department
learned where improvements can be made to enhance efficiencies, A few of these lessons
learned will be presented at the meeting, Feedback from local residents receiving services at
these clinics was highly complimentary.
The Board of Health has had discussions over the past several years about the infrastructure
and supply system present in the US and the effect of the current system on local
responsibilities. At the November Board of Health meeting, the Board passed the attached
resolution that speaks to creating a statewide infrastructure and a national vaccine supply that
will support the work of local public health agencies and their public partners,
The Health Department has been in consultation with the NC Division of Public Health,
Immunization Branch in drafting this resolution. The North Carolina Association of Local Health
Directors also adopted this resolution at its November meeting and has forwarded it to all
counties in North Carolina for potential adoption by boards of health and boards of county
commissioners, This is an issue that requires national attention and therefore it is
recommended that this resolution be sent to all members of the North Carolina Congressional
delegation, the Director of the Center for Disease Control, the Secretary of the US Department
of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security,
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no local financial cost associated with adopting the resolution,
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adapt the resolution as
presented and forward it to the North Carolina Congressional delegation, the Director of the
Center for Disease Control, the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services,
and the Secretary of Homeland Security.
DRAFT
Influenza Vaccine Supply Resolution
Orange County Board of Health
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
Orange County, North Carolina
Whereas, each year, a substantial proportion ofvaccine-preventable diseases occur among adults, despite
the availability of safe and effective vaccines; and
Whereas, adult immunization levels continue to lag far behind childhood rates, and adult morbidity and
mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases remain distressingly high; and
Whereas, adults form the core infrastructure needed to respond to any emergent public safety and health
need; and
Whereas, the burden of and responsibility for vaccinating high-risk and vulnerable populations often falls
upon public health departments and their public partners; and
Whereas, public health is often unable to serve the high-risk and vulnerable populations within a
community because of a lack of timely distribution of vaccine, especially influenza vaccine; and
Whereas, commercial vaccinators make early bulk purchases of influenza vaccine and are able to offer
mass flu campaigns before public health can vaccinate high-risk populations; and
Whereas, the federal government and local medical providers look to the public health infrastructure to
be prepared to respond to and coordinate the response of any communicable disease outbreak, including
an influenza pandemic; and
Whereas, the federal government has provided support for the childhood immunization program
nationally that has resulted in dramatic reductions in childhood vaccine preventable diseases; and
Whereas, an adult immunization infrastructure is needed pr'ior' to implementation of a national universal
influenza vaccine recommendation;
Now Therefore, in recognition of this compelling public health challenge, the Orange County Health
Department and the Orange County Commissioners request that:
• Sufficient federal funding be identified to support a robust adult vaccine preventable disease
vaccination infrastructure and program that would include influenza as a primary component;
• Guaranteed government prices for influenza vaccine be offered as an incentive for vaccine
production to meet the demand;
• Federal government bulk purchase a base number of doses for public health;
• Regulations be created to guarantee distribution to public agencies first; and
• Enforcement rules be developed for providers who disregard high-risk vaccination criteria,.
Adopted this _ day of , 2005
Alan Rimer, Chair
Orange County Board of Health
Moses Carey, .Jr. Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners