Title
Public Health Department requesting authorization to purchase a large industrial refrigerator and two small portable refrigeration units in an estimated total amount of $7,311 for the cold storage of vaccines to be used in the County's upcoming immunization campaign, IZ Xtreme.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: Realignment.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$7,311 |
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|
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$7,311 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$7,311 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: The cost of the VWR general purpose refrigerator is quoted at $2,399.49, which includes a 15% discount. The two portable FridgeFreeze units have been quoted for $4,910.55 total. Public Health will use realignments funds to purchase these units. There is no increase in budgeted revenues or expenditures and no net County cost.
Background: The Public Health Department has been given an unexpected opportunity to improve the immunization status of our pre-teen population. The Vaccines for Children program is able to provide the Department with enough vaccine to immunize all 6th and 7th graders in the County against several vaccine-preventable diseases, including: tetanus, diptheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papilloma virus, and influenza. The vaccinations will occur on school campuses throughout the County, under the campaign titled, "IZ Xtreme." Approval to conduct this vaccination campaign on school grounds has been given by all County school districts.
The vaccines have been provided at no cost and are valued at over one and a half million dollars. However, storage requirements must be met before the vaccines are received. Strict temperature restrictions require a laboratory-style refrigerator as well as portable refrigeration units when in the field. The Department does not currently possess equipment to meet these needs.
Reason for Recommendation: Without these new refrigeration units, the Vaccines for Children program will not send the vaccine, effectively terminating the IZ Xtreme campaign for the County. Because there is a 2-3 month lead time needed for the purchase of these items, coupled with the October start date of the immunization program, it is imperative that the order be placed immediately. Furthermore, given the high rate of incidence for these diseases, pertussis in particular, the approval of the new cervical cancer prevention vaccine, and the development of a nasal spray flu vaccine, the timing of this campaign is ideal in preventing the spread of these diseases in the community.
The fixed assets requested will be used for all future Public Health vaccine needs.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Department to process purchase of three refrigeration units; Board to direct Auditor to pay associated invoices.
Contact: Dan Buffalo
Concurrences: