H1N1 Influenza Briefing

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H1N1 Influenza Briefing

• John M. Colmers
• Secretary
• Maryland Department of Health
• and Mental Hygiene
• Board of Public Works
• October 21, 2009

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H1N1 Influenza in MarylandFour Pillars of
Pandemic Response

• Pillar I Surveillance
• Pillar II Community Mitigation
• Pillar III Vaccination
• Pillar IV - Communication

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I. Surveillance

• Widespread distribution of cases
• Generally mild moderate illness
• Disproportionately impacting younger people
• gt200 hospitalizations, 10 deaths
• 88 flu-like outbreaks (as of 10/19/09)

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Bio Surveillance Monitoring Example
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II. Community Mitigation

• Employer/Worksite response and actions
• Encourage hand and respiratory hygiene
• Liberal leave and telecommute policies
• Track absenteeism
• Health benefit plans coverage of seasonal and
  H1N1 immunizations
• COOP planning
• School response and actions
• Encourage hand and respiratory hygiene
• Monitoring/isolation of sick students
• Enhanced absenteeism monitoring
• Current CDC guidance keep schools open
• Anticipated to be vaccine sites

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II. Community Mitigation

• Control measures for colleges/universities
• Vaccination
• Facilitate self-isolation of residential students
  with flu-like illness
• Promote self-isolation at home by non-resident
  students, faculty, and staff
• Considerations for high-risk students and staff
• Discourage attendance at campus events by ill
  persons
• Encourage hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Routine cleaning

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III. H1N1 Vaccination Campaign

• Significant supply delays
• Public/Private partnership
• Initial focus on target populations
• Centralized distribution
• No cost for vaccine itself, cost for
  administration
• Various vaccine formulations

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IV. Communications

• State Public Health regularly communicates with
• All licensed MDs, RNs
• State and local school, health, emergency
  management, and EMS officials
• Hospitals and retail pharmacies
• Major employers
• Non-profits and universities
• Other State agencies
• Enhanced website www.flu.maryland.gov
• Flu info line 1-877-MDFLU4U
• Speakers Bureau in conjunction with local health
  departments
• Media campaign on prevention and vaccination

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Local Vaccine CampaignLocal Health Departments -
Coordinators

• Public Health Emergency Response (PHER) grants
• from CDC allocated to Maryland
• PHER I - 4,803,949 received
• PHER II - 4,530,183 received
• Almost 50 of each of PHER I and II are awarded
  to LHDs for planning purposes.
• PHER III 15.6 M
• Almost 2/3 going to LHDs for implementation of
  vaccination plans in their communities.
• Total Funds received from CDC under PHER
  24,942,241.

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Thank You Questions
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