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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />October 28, 2004 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 3 October 28, 2004 <br /> <br />V. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action <br /> <br />A. Joint Meetings with Planning Board and Commission for Environment <br /> <br />The Board of Health discussed having future joint meetings with the Planning Board and the <br />Commission for the Environment at previous meetings this summer. The Committees discussed <br />several topics and submitted suggestions for the Board to consider. It is anticipated that a joint <br />Commission for the Environment will take place in January or February. <br /> <br />B. Flu Update <br /> <br />Rosemary Summers updated the Board on the current situation with flu vaccine. In recent years, <br />distribution or manufacturing problems with flu vaccine have occurred the have caused <br />widespread public concern about vaccinations. This year, Chiron, one of two major <br />manufacturers of vaccine licensed in the US, experienced problems in production, reducing the <br />nation’s supply by 50%. Staff shared how the department is responding. <br /> <br />The Board considered developing a resolution to be forwarded to federal legislators to alter <br />vaccine production policies to improve our situation on a more reliable basis and discussed <br />elements to be included in the resolution. <br /> <br />C. Community Awards Program <br /> <br />The Health Department and Board of Health have had the fortune of having excellent <br />community partners over the years that have contributed significantly to improving the health of <br />residents of our communities. A recognition program would bring awareness to the broader <br />community of the efforts of public health and provide a small measure of recognition to the <br />individual or agency that contributes. Healthy Carolinians in interested in joining the Board in <br />developing this effort. <br /> <br />Sharon Van Horn, Sharon Freeland, and Chris Harland volunteered to serve on a special board <br />committee to consider the development of such a program and define program parameters. <br /> <br />D. Informational Items <br /> <br />1. Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Stamp <br /> <br />Donna King, Health Promotion and Education Services Division Director, represented the <br />Health Department at the recent dedication ceremony held at the Hillsborough main <br />post office on September 30, 2004. <br /> <br />This U.S. postage stamp is being issued to raise awareness and promote early testing for <br />sickle cell disease, a disease that affects more than 80,000 Americans. <br />