Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: August 19, 2008 <br />Action Agerlc~a „ <br />Item No. ~L~____-~__ <br />SUBJECT: New Fee for Adult Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination <br />DEPARTMENT: Health Department PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Rosemary Summers, 245-2411 <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving a new fee for measles, mumps and rubella vaccination for <br />adults. <br />BACKGROUND: The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) provides a variety of <br />vaccinations to adults and children. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination is <br />typically provided to children as part of their routine childhood immunizations. Since North <br />Carolina is a universal vaccine provider, the State of North Carolina provides funding to <br />providers to ensure that all children receive required vaccinations. The State prohibits charging <br />for vaccine provided through this program. OCHD has provided adult MMR vaccinations <br />subsequent to an identified outbreak of measles or rubella; however there is no charge for this <br />because typically the state supplies the vaccine for prevention of further cases. <br />Historically the requirement was for one MMR vaccination. In recent years, a requirement of a <br />second dose of the vaccine components was implemented in certain situations. One of those <br />situations is health care providers who may interact with pregnant women. Exposure of the <br />unborn fetus to these diseases can cause serious effects. Adults who are providers of health <br />related services are now required to provide proof of either immunity or two MMR vaccinations <br />before providing services in a health care setting. <br />OCHD requires employees, contract staff, students, and volunteers. who have direct patient or <br />client contact on behalf of the Health Department to meet this clinical standard. This prevents <br />any inadvertent exposure to patients or clients from these three diseases, especially young <br />children that may not yet be vaccinated or pregnant women that could expose their unborn <br />child. OCHD has not previously provided this vaccination to adults for a fee; however, the <br />department has a number of volunteers and contractors, especially contract interpreters that <br />need a second vaccination before providing services for OCHD. Staff anticipates perhaps 15- <br />20 persons requiring or requesting this service. The vaccine costs are $48.00 per dose. A flat <br />