Date: May 1, 2001
To: Board of Supervisors
Subject: Ensuring Vaccinations For San Diegans
Summary:
The reduction of critical flu vaccines for San Diego's seniors and others at high risk for complications from influenza could result in needless illness, hospitalization, or death and cost our community countless dollars in unnecessary health care costs. Additionally, the lack of Td vaccine on our highly mobile and international community may result in outbreaks of diphtheria, or deaths from tetanus, both of which are otherwise rare occurrences.
This item requests that the State and Federal government assist the County in ensuring an adequate supply of Influenza vaccine and an assurance of appropriate Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine for the needs of the region.
Due to a sharp escalation in cost and no corresponding increase in the State vaccine budget, the annual allotment of influenza (Flu) vaccine to the County will be only 25,690 doses for the 2001-02 flu season. This represents a shortage of 48,000 doses of flu vaccine compared to last season. Furthermore, the State Department of Health Services has notified the County of San Diego that due to shortages in the supply of Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine (Td), restricted allotments will begin immediately, resulting in a local shortfall of 10,000 doses of the vaccine given to children over the next 12 months.
RECOMMENDATION:
SUPERVISOR JACOB:
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature to the Governor and the Legislature asking them to provide San Diego County with its full allotment of 73,960 doses of the influenza vaccine for the 2001-2002 flu season.
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature to the Governor and Legislature urging them to assist the County with the remaining 35 percent of the doses of Tetanus-Diphtheria needed for the region as soon as supplies become available.
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for the Chair's signature to be sent to San Diego's Congressional representatives urging the federal government to secure a long-term purchasing contract with the manufacturer of the vaccine to help stabilize the price and supply of the Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine.
Direct the County's Sacramento and Washington, D.C. legislative representatives to advocate for San Diego's needed vaccinations.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this request.
Background:
The State Department of Health Services recently notified the County of San Diego's Immunization Program that increased influenza vaccine costs have reduced the amount of flu vaccine that can be purchased and distributed to counties. For this reason, San Diego County will receive only 25,690 doses of the Influenza vaccine during the 2001-2002 flu season. That's 48,000 doses short of last year's 75,690 doses. The Thurmond Act of 1973 requires the State to provide enough vaccine to seniors (defined as those age 60 and older) and persons at high risk of complications from influenza disease. To further exacerbate the issue, the national Center for Disease Control has recommended that seniors be defined as those age 50 and older increasing the amount of vaccine needed.
For several years the State has failed to increase the immunization budget to keep up with the rising cost of the flu vaccine. This year, the result will be less available doses for San Diego's public health centers. A shortage in the public supply of flu vaccine could result in a greater number of local seniors at high risk for complications from influenza. These complications can result in severe illness, hospitalization, or even death. Adequate vaccination for seniors should be a top priority for the State. Any reduction in the number of vaccinations is sure to cause an unnecessary health risk to the region's seniors and result in significant health care costs.
Therefore, I am recommending that a letter from the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be sent to the Governor and the Legislature asking them to provide San Diego County with its full allotment of 73,960 doses of the influenza vaccine for the 2001-2002 flu season.
Also, due to increased costs and limited manufacturing of the Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine, the State Department of Health Services has notified the County of San Diego's Immunization Program that there will be a shortage in the supply of the vaccination. This will result in a local shortfall of 10,000 doses of the vaccine given to children over the next 12 months. That's only 65 percent of our prior year's distribution of Td. In the past, the State has provided a portion of the needed vaccine when the Federal government was able to negotiate a purchasing contract with the manufacturer. Unfortunately, the Federal government was unable to negotiate such a contract this year. The resulting lack of Td vaccine could result in an epidemic of Diphtheria, or deaths from Tetanus, both of which are otherwise rare occurrences.
I am therefore recommending that a letter from the Chair of the Board of Supervisors be sent to the Governor and Legislature urging them to assist the County with the remaining 35 percent of the doses of Td needed for the region. A letter from the Chair should also be sent to the region's Congressional representatives urging them to secure a long-term purchasing contract with the manufacturer to help stabilize the price of the Td vaccine.
Being a border county, San Diego is at higher risk without proper vaccinations. We must do all we can for the health, safety, and welfare of this region's citizens. I urge your careful consideration of these critical issues.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District
