Agenda - 12-05-2005-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE 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.