DATE: September 16, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Influenza Immunization Public Awareness Campaign
SUMMARY
On June 17, 2003 (23), the Board of Supervisors approved Chairman Cox’s request to transfer $50,000 from the Community Projects Budget (0261) to the Health and Human Services Agency, Agency-Wide Finance (7008) for an infant immunization outreach and education campaign.
On September 8, 2003, the First Five Commission of San Diego County approved the expenditure of $50,000 to match the funding set aside by the County.
The County of San Diego in partnership with the First Five Commission of San Diego County has the opportunity to help protect our residents from influenza. This program will create a public awareness campaign that will target people with the highest risk of death or hospitalization from influenza.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Chairman Greg Cox:
- In accordance with Board Policies A-87, approve and authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with the San Diego State University Foundation; and, subject to successful negotiations and determination of fair and reasonable price, award an agreement for implementation of a public awareness campaign to prevent hospitalization and deaths from influenza, for one year, subject to approval of the Director, Health and Human Services Agency. Waive the advertising requirement of A-87.
- Establish appropriations in the Health and Human Services Agency in the amount of $50,000, based on unanticipated revenue from the First Five Commission (4 Votes).
- Transfer appropriations in the amount of $50,000 from Health and Human Services Agency, Agency-Wide Finance to Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services.
Fiscal Impact:
The FY 2003-2004 Operational Plan includes $50,000 in Health and Human Service Agency Management Reserves that will be directed to this project, if approved. If approved, this request will also result in additional FY 2003-2004 costs and revenue of $50,000, based on unanticipated funding from the First Five Commission of San Diego County. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no addition of staff years.
BACKGROUND:
On June 17, 2003, the Board of Supervisors approved Chairman Cox’s request to transfer $50,000 from the Community Projects Budget (0261) to the Health and Human Services Agency, Agency-Wide Finance (7008) for an infant immunization outreach and education campaign.
On September 8, 2003, the First Five Commission of San Diego County approved the expenditure of $50,000 to match the funding set aside by the Board of Supervisors.
The County of San Diego in partnership with the First Five Commission of San Diego County has the opportunity to help protect our residents from influenza. This program will create a public awareness campaign that will target people with the highest risk of death or hospitalization from influenza.
Influenza is a severe illness that affects thousands of County residents each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year 114,000 Americans are hospitalized and 36,000 are killed by influenza. Citizens under the age of two and over the age of 50 are most likely to risk dangerous complications if infected with influenza.
Influenza clearly poses a public health risk to the residents of San Diego County. The County of San Diego can combat this threat with a public education campaign targeting parents of children under the age of two and residents over the age of 50 for immunization. This campaign will take a “whole family” approach while emphasizing the importance of influenza immunizations. The First 5 Commission of San Diego County allocated $50,000 to the County of San Diego on September 8, 2003 to fund the infant portion of the immunization campaign. An additional $50,000 in community project funds will ensure the necessary funds to run the age 50 and older portion of the campaign.
The public education campaign will target people with the highest risk of death or hospitalization from influenza. County residents over the age of 50, persons with chronic health conditions, women more than three months pregnant during flu season, and infants between the age of six and 24 months have highest risks of severe complications related to influenza because of weakened immune systems. Individuals contracting influenza with weakened immune systems have a much greater chance of contracting pneumonia, which can lead to hospitalization or death.
The purpose of the public education campaign is not only to bring awareness to the dangers presented by influenza for members of risk groups but also to compel these citizens to seek immunization services. The optimum time for influenza immunizations are the months of October, November and December. The idea is to encourage immunization prior to the beginning of the flu season.
The initiation of this community awareness program will help to slow the spread of influenza in the community thereby protecting all citizens. Furthermore, it will reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths that occur because of complications with influenza.
By reinvesting taxpayer money into local communities, this project will improve both the public health and quality of life for our citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
GREG COX
Chairman