Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110355

Abby J. Greenberg, MD, Daniel Kuhles, MD, MPH, Mary Ellen Laurain, BS, Melaine Chin, BS, Margaret M. Sherman, RN, BSN, CIC, Joanne A. Maniscalco, RN, BSN, Elaine A. Yeoman, RN, BSN, and David M. Ackman, MD, MPH. Nassau County Department of Health, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501, 516-571-2330, abby.greenberg@dfa.state.ny.us

In October 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the loss of half of the domestic influenza vaccine supply. The LHU of a large, metropolitan suburban county determined that 400,000 of its residents were eligible for vaccine, according to the CDC's interim influenza vaccination recommendations. However, the LHU received only 9,500 doses and was informed that they would not receive any additional vaccine. Therefore, the LHU sought to establish just and equitable guidelines, principles and methodologies for distribution of the vaccine. The LHU convened a meeting of senior representatives of local medical and pediatric societies, the hospital association, the long term care association, government administration and other relevant local government agencies. The group was charged with developing a concensus recommendation for distribution and utilization of the limited vaccine supply. Since information was available that hospitals and nursing homes would receive vaccine separately, the decision group recommended that the vaccine be provided to seniors at a mass vaccination clinic. Subsequently, CDC established a distribution process through the public health system for the remaining vaccine. The LHU was informed that they would receive vaccine amounts as determined by the state health department. The decision group was reconvened to provide recommendations for the further distribution of vaccine. The group unanimously recommended that all additional supplies go to individual health care providers since all priority groups received health care from these providers. Distribution of subsequent 61,610 doses of influenza vaccine was accomplished rapidly and efficiently.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that decisions about allocation of scarce health resources on a local level are most effectively accepted when made by concensus agreement by representatives of all health care providers.

Keywords: Challenges and Opportunities, Local Public Health Agencies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.