Influenza Vaccination Efforts

As part of District efforts to be prepared for pandemic influenza and other outbreaks requiring mass vaccination, the Health District is recruiting professional and lay volunteers to assist such an endeavor estimated to require some 2300 volunteers.   Dr. Guidry sent letters to elected leaders, hospital administrators, emergency managers and other community leaders, to introduce them to the Galveston County Medical Reserve Corps and request their support in identifying volunteers.  By signing up as member, one will be notified of the need for volunteers and of related training opportunities.  A brochure accompanied the letter, which highlighted the purpose of the Medical Reserve Corps and provides examples of how individuals can assist during a public health emergency.  Information about the Corps can be found at http://wwwgchd.org./bt/btindex.htm#medcorp  For more information, please contact Brian Rutherford, Public Health Planner at (409) 938-2275 or email brutherford@gchd.org

The District’s web master closely worked with Public Health Preparedness staff to promote the newly formed Medical Response Corps.  A letter encouraging local residents to participate was posted on the web site at http://www.gchd.org/bt/letter of Support MRC Volunteer 1105.pdf.  A promotional brochure was also designed that can be used to promote the Corps in the community.  The brochure can be found and printed out at www.gchd.org/bt/1105mrcbrochure.pdf. 

After an incident in the Houston area involving fake flu vaccine being given to area residents, some questions arose concerning the integrity of vaccine available in Galveston County.  On November 1^st the Galveston Daily News ran a story on the subject and the District’s Public Information Officer was quoted assuring the public that all vaccine supplies are safe.  The story can be found at www.gchd.org/press/2005/11FlushotsRealDNews.htm.

4C’s Open House – On November 16, 2005, the 4C’s hosted an open house in the Galveston facility to celebrate the finalizing of the redesign process.  Members of the 4C’s Governing Board and the United Board of Health spoke to clinic patients and 4C’s staff about the positive impressions they have been receiving about the redesigned clinic operation.  Several patients took the opportunity to receive their flu shots during the open house.  In addition, staff members were available to describe clinic operations to patients and others who toured the clinic facility in Galveston. Immediately following the open house, staff enjoyed a holiday pot-luck luncheon.

Air and Water Pollution Services – The Air and Water Pollution Services Division is currently drafting its work plan for the coming year to address a multitude of environmental issues.  This work plan is drafted in response to the many local, state and federal contracts that the division operates under.  These contracts require the Division draft a work plan to respond to citizen complaints, inspect facilities for compliance with environmental rules and regulations, and conduct air and water pollution sampling. In addition, the Division is drafting a work plan beyond the contractual requirements that include drive around investigations at pollution sources with actual emissions to proactively identify and resolve these air issues, conduct “backtracking” investigations to identify and resolve the source of water pollution as identified during routine sampling, and to review air monitoring needs in Galveston County and recommend sampling methods and potential funding sources.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – The WIC program was audited by the Department of State Health Services on October 26-28 as an accelerated monitoring review.    At the exit interview the auditors praised the program for significant gains in several areas including the number of clients with midpoint screening and participation by clients in classroom education.  The auditors also recommended looking at some of the WIC services closely in light of budget constraints, for example school-based services (reach few clients) and the need for more hours from a registered dietician.  Only three findings were described during the exit interview. The final written report is expected in the next 45 days.  There were no Rider 11 Child Abuse Reporting findings at this audit. 

Texas EMS Conference – GAAA attended the State EMS conference November 20th 23rd, one of the largest EMS conferences in the Country. GAAA set up a booth to explain the new cooperative EMS system and to recruit new staff. Close to 120 applications were distributed. Staff also attended more than 100 hours of continuing education.

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally – GAAA’s ambulance and bike team provided added coverage for the Lone Star Bike Rally held in Galveston, November 3^rd through the 6th. Responses were fewer this year than last even though attendance was higher.

Title XX Funding -   The Health District recently noted that it was not awarded continued Title XX funding for eligible family planning and well-woman services in the 4C’s Clinics.  Pervious funding amounted to approximately $147,000.  The Compliance Officer is exploring the reasons why the Health District’s application was not awarded.   Should efforts confirm an anticipated loss of funding, executive staff will brief the board in a future meeting on a plan to balance the budget shortfall, to include any possible impact on services and staffing.

Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative The Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative (GCERC) met on November 10th. In this meeting, the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator for the Greater Houston Region met with members to discuss the role of the FBI and local law enforcement in the event of a terrorist attack. The group also discussed how a flu pandemic might affect Galveston County and the capacity of healthcare and public health to respond to such an event.

UTMB Presentation On November 14th the Public Health Planner conducted a presentation for UTMB Preventive Medicine Students. The students were given an overview of public health threats and preparedness activities in the county. As a result of this discussion, six of the medical students volunteered to assist in a public health emergency by joining the Galveston County Medical Reserve Corps.  

Mental Health Emergency Response - On November 15th, a meeting was held with mental health service providers in the county to discuss how we might coordinate mental health planning and response to a public health emergency. Representatives from UTMB, Red Cross, Gulf Coast Center, Devereux Treatment Center, Galveston County Emergency Management, and the Health District were represented at the meeting. Participants decided to conduct a conference in the spring to educate mental health providers on the role of mental health professionals in a disaster and to coordinate planning. Another meeting will be held on January 18th at 10am to discuss next steps in planning.