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Norwalk
Health Department
Board of Health Actions
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November 18, 2003
8:00 AM
Library
Call to order at 8:20 AM
Present: Board of Health – Mr. Lalime, Dr. McNamara, & Dr. Tracey
Staff – Mr. Callahan
Minutes of September 9, 2003 Meeting
A motion to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2003 meeting was made by Mr. Lalime, seconded by Dr. Tracey and was passed by a unanimous vote.
Influenza Program
The final community clinic is scheduled for today the 18th. In excess of 2,500 doses have been used so far. A summary report will be presented at the December meeting.
The Board discussed the value and feasibility of making the flu vaccine more readily available to city and school system employees. Currently employees pay the $18 fee and access the program at one of the 11 community sites. Offering the vaccine to employees at no cost and giving the shots at work sites would probably result in higher immunization rates and should result in fewer cases of flu among employees. Days lost from work should decrease. The Board requested that an analysis be made to determine the reduction in sick days used needed to offset the cost of the program. A motion was made by Mr. Lalime and seconded by Dr McNamara to request funding for the cost of providing flu vaccine to city and public school employees.
The Board also discussed the pneumovax vaccine. Since this vaccine is only administered once or twice in a lifetime, many people have difficulty remembering if they received the vaccine. The Board asked that the Health Department continue to promote this vaccine. Dr. McNamara suggested that the flu consent form question the pneumonia vaccine status of each patient as a means of determining the prevalence of this vaccine among our patients. Mr. Lalime will contact a professional group that may be interested in working with the Health Department on this project.
FY 04-05 Budget
The budget season has begun and the administration is once again seeking revenue enhancements and expense reductions. The proposed fee schedule for FY 04-05 will be discussed at the December 2003 Board meeting.
Status of the Employee Assistance Program
Craig Schoop is serving as the acting EAP Coordinator. A formal request for proposals will be issued by the Purchasing Department. During this interim period Mr. Schoop will also continue to provide services as the Caseworker for the Elderly. The effectiveness of this arrangement will be evaluated after three months.
Emergency Response Plan Development
Planning continues. Mass small pox vaccination, the focus of planning efforts in the previous fiscal year, is now treated as one component of this all hazards plan. The Norwalk Hospital Emergency Response Team has invited representatives from police, fire and health departments from the hospital’s catchment area towns to work with them in preparing for emergency situations. A drill is being planned for February or March 2004.
Other Business
Mr. Callahan updated the Board on a recent court case and developments at the Norwalk Community Health Center.
Adjourn 9:43 AM
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