Martha W. Priedeman1, Lorraine K. Duncan
1, Mary S. Durbrow
1, Lydia M. Luther
1, Paul F. Lewis
2, Tom R. Engle
3, and Grant K. Higginson
4. (1) Immunization Program, Oregon Dept of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR, USA, (2) Communicable Disease Program, Oregon Dept of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR, USA, (3) Office of Community Liaison, Oregon Dept of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR, USA, (4) Office of the State Health Officer, Oregon Dept of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR, USA
BACKGROUND:
The 2004 influenza vaccine shortage challenged Oregon's ability to respond to an urgent communicable disease threat. Public health preparedness planning, highly functional internal and external partnerships, and improved local health department (LHD) capacity enabled Oregon to deploy a rapid response.
OBJECTIVE:
To understand how Oregon effectively handled the influenza vaccine shortage by working with partners and building on the health preparedness infrastructure.
METHOD:
Following the announcement of the influenza vaccine shortage, Oregon rapidly mobilized resources to: invoke a statewide prioritization plan backed by statutory authority; provide accurate and timely information to the media and the public; and establish guidelines for equitable allocation of scarce vaccine. All of these activities relied on excellent collaboration with public and private partners.
RESULT:
The State Health Officer convened an emergency meeting of the LHDs, the Immunization Policy Advisory Team (IPAT), and the Oregon Adult Immunization Coalition to gather input and support of a state prioritization plan. The Plan was invoked October 8, prohibiting the immunization of any person outside of the priority groups. The same afternoon, a statewide Flu Hotline was activated to respond to questions from providers and the public. Approximately 10,000 calls were fielded the first month. Communication networks through LHDs and provider organizations were used to distribute the Plan as widely as possible and survey providers about supply and demand. By November 15th, workgroups from IPAT convened to establish principles for equitable allocation of vaccine. LHDs assumed the lead county role to compile vaccine orders and assure that all priority populations were vaccinated.
CONCLUSION:
Collaboration with the LHDs and IPAT was critical to the decision to implement a statewide Prioritization Plan, Hotline, and vaccine allocation plan. All of which was made possible by drawing on public health preparedness resources.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the response to a public health crisis, understanding the successes and lessons learned.
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