DSL INFO MEMO 2000-12

October 6, 2000

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Adult Day Care Center Directors
Adult Family Care Coordinators
Area Agencies on Aging
Birth to 3 Program County Contacts
Birth to 3 Program Directors
Coalition of WI Aging Groups
COP Lead Agency Directors
County/Tribal Aging Unit Directors
County Dept. of Community Program Directors
County Dept. of Developmental Disability Services Directors
County Dept. of Human Services Directors
County Mental Health and AODA Coordinators
County Dept. of Social Services Directors
County Long Term Care Coordinators
Family Care Resource Centers
Independent Living Centers
Senior Center Directors
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators

From:
Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Division of Supportive Living

Re: Wisconsin Influenza Vaccination Contingency Plan

Please be advised that there may be a delay and possible shortages of the flu vaccine during the 2000-01 influenza season. Therefore, the Wisconsin Influenza Vaccination Contingency Plan was developed to address likely delays and the possibility of shortages. The Plan consists of three risk categories for use in setting influenza vaccination priorities.

The Plan gives highest priority to the vaccination of high risk persons who are most likely to experience complications from influenza (category 1). The second category consists of persons who could transmit influenza to high risk persons through direct patient contact. Also listed in this category are employees of nursing homes, chronic-care and assisted living facilities and household members (including children) of persons in high risk groups. Category 3 pertains to otherwise healthy persons aged 6 months and older who wish to reduce their likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.

It would be prudent for all community providers to review records of current program participants to identify vulnerable individuals who are at high risk and should be given priority in the event of limited vaccine supplies. During assessments or annual reviews of service plans, most community agencies have developed disaster plans or other contingency plans for vulnerable individuals. When making regularly scheduled contact this quarter, you are requested to assist high-risk participants and their families to plan for timely influenza vaccination if they wish to avoid the hazard of complications from influenza.

If the vaccine shortage is severe or the influenza season begins early, first priority will be given to persons listed in category 1. Vaccination programs for persons in category 3 will be delayed until high-risk persons have been vaccinated and vaccine supplies can be assured. Arrangements should be made to assist category (1) persons to get flu shots, if they want them, while supplies last. However, vaccination activity should not begin before mid-October. Early immunization of high risk persons may leave them vulnerable to disease should the influenza season peak later than usual and no vaccine remains for revaccination.

I have attached the Contingency Plan from the Division of Public Health for your information. This information has also been sent to all licensed care facilities.

For information regarding the influenza vaccine supply, you can view the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvirus.htm) and the Immunization Action Coalition website (www.immunize.org). For a list of Wisconsin local health departments organized by county, please view the Resources section of the Wisconsin Immunization Program website http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/immunization.

In anticipation of an influenza vaccine shortage, please share this important information with other agencies, organizations and individuals.

REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Area Administrator

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Jerry Gabor
Division of Public Health
1 West Wilson Street, Room 318
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-8621
E-mail: GaborGW@dhfs.state.wi.us

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