Title
Public Health Department recommending the Board approve, in concept, the submission of a grant application to the California Department of Public Health in the amount of $80,000 for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 to support IZ Xtreme; and recommending ratification of the Director's signature of said Department on same.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None at this time. If the grant application is successful, however, the County could receive up to $80,000 to conduct activities under IZ Xtreme.
Background: The County's IZ Xtreme campaign is an effort to improve the immunization rate in the preteen population in El Dorado County. Historically, the percentage of clients that access preventative health care, such as immunizations, is low during the preteen (11-13 year old) years. Yet, the preteen age for children is an ideal time in which to administer necessary vaccinations, such as Tdap, Meningococcal, HPV, and influenza. A resurgence nationally of vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g. pertussis) and a local increase in the school absentee rate during influenza season underscores the need to target this often overlooked problem.
Reason for Recommendation: If awarded, grant funds shall be used to achieve the following objectives by June 30, 2009:
1) Develop and distribute a parent informational packet that offers facts and discussion about the benefits and potential risks of vaccination
2) Conduct on-site school clinics and administer Tdap, Meningococcal, HPV, and influenza to 100% of the medically eligible 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who obtained signed registration/consent forms from a parent or guardian
3) Entry of immunization records of each preteen to receive vaccine in the Regional Immunization registry.
Due to a shortage of time available for the Department to apply for this grant, Public Health submitted the application before obtaining Board approval. The Department asks t...
Click here for full text