Maine CDC H1N1Mid-Course Review

Sponsored by the

Western Maine District

Public Health Coordinating Council

9:00am – Welcome and introductions

9:30am – Breakout group discussions (20 minutes)

9:50am – Groups report back (20 minutes)

10:10 BREAK

10:20am – Breakout group discussions (20 minutes)

10:40am - Groups report back (20 minutes)

11:00am – Summary of key points and final comments

11:15am - Wrap-up and next steps

11:30am – Meeting adjourns

Agenda

The Conditions

H1N1 virus arrived in the US last spring; was first detected in Maine in late April.

Vaccine began to be manufactured during the summer in 9 different formulations; the first shipments arrived in Maine by mid-October.

Nasal spray, a form of the vaccine indicated only for healthy, non-pregnant young people, arrived first and was a substantial portion of the vaccine available during the first few months.

The Conditions (cont.)

US CDC initially identified 5 high priority groups for the vaccine:

• Children and youth under 25 years old

• Caregivers of infants less than 6 months old

• Pregnant women

• Adults 25-64 with underlying health conditions

• Healthcare workers

The Conditions (cont.)

Vaccine manufacturing – and therefore delivery – were delayed across the county, resulting in vaccine shortages.

Clinics had to be rescheduled and priority groups were narrowed by Maine CDC based on the types of vaccine available and the populations at highest risk for hospitalization and death.

Although the H1N1 pandemic strain of influenza had been detected in Maine since late last April, most of the state experienced a surge in H1N1 disease from late October until late December, with a peak at mid-late November.

The Conditions (cont.)

Mitigation strategies included:

• Promotion of respiratory hygiene

• Use of antiviral medicines

• Infection control procedures

State and federal stockpiles of antiviral medicines and personal protective equipment were deployed. The use of antiviral medicines for people at high-risk for severe disease was promoted with healthcare providers and the public, especially before vaccine became widely available.

The Conditions (cont.)

Vaccine supplies were able to fully meet the demand by early January.

Communication channels used included paid media (TV, radio, web), social media (Facebook, Twitter, blog), Health Alert Network, weekly updates, press releases & press conferences, phone bank, 211 and e-mail.

Core Questions

1. What happened in your community?2. What worked well?

3. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently, if anything?

4. What have you already learned about your community and its ability to respond to an epidemic?

Final Group Questions/ Comments

What unintended things have happened – positive or negative?

What would you do to better use the positive unintended?

What would you do to mitigated the negative unintended?

Is there any other information that you have not yet shared that you would like to add at this time?

Wrap-up & Next steps

MeCDC evaluation The results of this meeting – these

responses – will be part of a report that is tentatively planned for release in May/June. It will be posted on the MeCDC website and shared with all of you.

Western Maine DCC

Accomplishments to date

Plans for this year:

• April 13: State Health Plan review with

Dr. Dora Mills & Trish Riley (governor’s office)

• Begin Draft of District Health Improvement Plan

Thank you!

Contact information:

MaryAnn Amrich

200 Main St. Lewiston

phone: 795-4302, cell 215-6812

e-mail: maryann.amrich@maine.gov