Agenda Package - 08-17-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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l;[j) Board of Health and Board of County Commissioners: August 2009 HI NI Vaccine Campaign Facts: 1) Goal: To accept the vaccine for 1-11 N I as provided by the Federal and State Governments; Estimate of 120,000 doses + 120,000 needles and syringes. Each of the citizens of Lee County (guesstimate of 60,000) will be offered 2 shots each. These shots are 30 days apart. It is anticipated that most of the shots will be provided on the second floor of the building at 106 Hillcrest. At this time (August 3, 2009), the official decision to vaccinate for HIM has NOT been made. This is due to vaccine safety and effectiveness as well as the impact of influenza illness especially in the Southern Hemisphere. When the CDC and the State of NC ultimately accepts the vaccine, Lee County should accept the vaccine. There may be guidelines which prioritize who should first receive the vaccine. 2) Why should the county provide any additional funds if we can use volunteers? Very good question!!!; here is how I see it: a) Volunteerism is unpaid; our schedule may preclude getting these volunteers when we need therm, especially in the evenings and Saturdays; b) If the Pandemic Flu turns ugly and becomes more of a problem than we now see it, we may get no volunteers. Paid staff will need to get the job done. ® c) We will closely watch the usage and mix of volunteers and paid temporary staff; if we know we can count on volunteerism much like the Post Office (Thru rain, sleet or snow), then we can use less paid staff. d) Studies on volunteerism indicate that volunteers generally link to programs at the beginning... interest may wane over time. This campaign could last 18-20 weeks. e) We really need to make sure the potential of 120,000 doses of vaccine gets delivered however we have to do it...volunteers are an excellent resource but we cannot rely on them to do the main bulk of the work. 1) We believe that some of our staff and volunteers will get ill from this and other illnesses this fall and winter, when this occurs we will probably ask them to stay home for at least a week. 3) Risks and Benefits: To provide to the citizens of Lee County a document, about one (1) page in length outlining the risks and benefits, contraindications and adverse events of taking the vaccine. This will be published in the paper and placed on the Lee County website. The Health Director requested such a document from the State staff and we are told that it will be forthcoming when the vaccine is available. (B. Rowe-West e-mail. 7/25/09). '1 lie Health Department will oiler the vaccine but takes no position on whether or not any citizen should/should not take it; that would be their personal decision, and it is suggested that a person talk to their doctor. It is assumed that the vaccine will be safe, but the vaccine is still in trials.