1. Local Health and H1N1 Anne Bailowitz, MD, MPH Medical Director, Environmental Health and Emergency Programs Bureau Chief, Child Health and Immunization Baltimore City Health Department NVAC Teleconference August 24, 2009

2. \ Local Health and H1N1: Issue 1 - Staffing Funds: Where are they? Seasonal and H1 influenza vaccination efforts: No letters of award yet Seasonal influenza grant authorized under ARRA (stimulus) legislation was due for disbursement to states initially in October, now the date is September. H1N1 influenza grant (PHER Phase I) will be disbursed when? Federal government funding delays translate into 4-6 weeks of LHD delay (minimum) in completion of hiring processes. LHDs short on staff will not be able to start vaccinating until mid-October unless a significant recruiting effort for volunteers occurs.

3. \ Local Health and H1N1: Issue 2 – Vaccine Availability How much is coming and when? The amounts and timeline for delivery change frequently: shift to decreased (down from 120 million to 85 million) and staggered delivery in October. It is challenging to plan and implement vaccination efforts with these changing scenarios – e.g. setting clinic dates for school-located vaccination (SLV) requires solid advance planning, precluded by these uncertainties. How will vaccine be distributed? Will LHDs have a role in vaccine delivery? Such a role could seriously compromise LHD-led vaccination efforts. What is being done to counter claims of anti-vaccine groups re: H1N1 vaccine /thimerosol, etc.

4. \ Local Health and H1N1 Vaccine: Issue 3 - Communication More information on non-vaccination tools: surveillance: definition, how the public can help; mitigation: beyond hand washing Don’t forget TV and radio Complete flu protection = seasonal + H1 vaccinations More communication to businesses and 18-24 year olds in universities/workplace

5. \ Summary Funds are needed asap to hire staff. Vaccine amounts and delivery schedules need better definition. Communication efforts need added focus on: the business sector, 18-24 year olds; don’t forget TV and radio.

6. \ Questions? Anne Bailowitz, MD, MPH Anne.Bailowitz@baltimorecity.gov 410-236-9285