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