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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />August 27, 2009 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 4 August 27, <br />2009 <br />over 2000 seasonal flu vaccine doses to the elderly and high risk, the Department <br />will be coordinating the provision of 6500 seasonal flu vaccine doses to students <br />in the 3rd – 8th grades in both school systems under a federal stimulus program by <br />parental permission only. This will entail coordinating with school nurses, hiring <br />supplemental temporary nurses to provide the vaccine, entering flu encounters <br />in the NC Immunization Registry, and submitting billing as appropriate. <br /> <br />In addition, the Department is charged with collecting information from Orange <br />County medical providers regarding the number of clients in their practices who <br />are in the priority groups for H1N1 vaccination. Health Departments are being <br />asked to identify partners within the community such as medical offices, <br />pharmacies, and clinics who seek to provide H1N1 vaccine to their patients or <br />high-risk public and are willing to comply with federal guidelines and reporting <br />requirements. Depending on the interest, the Health Department will then assess <br />our need to expand vaccine provision beyond our staff and client population to <br />include other recommended populations. Since the H1N1 flu impacts younger <br />individuals more than older people, who may have some immunity, the CDC <br />recommended groups are: <br />• Pregnant women, <br />• Household contacts/caretakers of infants <6 months, <br />• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, <br />• 6 mos. – 24 year olds, and <br />• 25 – 64 year olds with chronic medical conditions placing them at <br />increased risk for complications from flu. <br /> These groups may change depending on the volume of vaccine available. <br /> <br />Meetings with community partners are being planned to keep them informed of <br />the current status of H1N1 planning and CDC guidelines, and to engage them as <br />partners. Regular communications are being planned to keep the community <br />informed and aware. Anti-virals would only be recommended for those, with the <br />flu also categorized as at-risk. <br /> <br />Steve Yuhasz asked when a letter regarding the seasonal influenza immunization <br />would be sent home with the students from the schools and also if the letters <br />would be language appropriate for the non-English speaking parents. Judy <br />Butler stated that the letters had been translated into several languages and <br />would be sent home during the first week of school. <br /> <br />Jim Stefanadis asked if only one Saturday morning H1N1 clinic would be offered. <br /> Ms. Butler replied that we currently are reserving 3 dates with one of our <br />dispensing sites 21 – 28 days apart to accommodate the 2nd required dose. We <br />will know more when we receive amounts and dates for vaccine arrival. <br /> <br />Chris Harlan asked about what kind of general community education is planned. <br /> Judy Butler replied that UNC Campus Health, newsletters, communications with <br />media and medical providers on a regular basis are currently being used. <br />Currently prevention messages are being published. Rosemary Summers stated <br />that a breakfast is planned in September for medical providers to talk with them <br />about their messages to their high-risk patients to make sure that it is consistent <br />with guidance from the CDC.