Maryland school-based influenza vaccination program, 2006-2007

Maryland School-Based Influenza Vaccination Program 2006-2007 Influenza Season Benefits to the Children and their Communities A substantial decline in deaths associated with influenza was recorded during a vaccination program for school-aged children in Japan during 1970-1980. Some experts estimate that between 37,000 to 49,000 deaths of elderly citizens were prevented each year while this program was in place. In an ongoing community study of the cities of Temple and Belton, Texas, approximately 20-25 percent of school-aged children in these communities received the influenza vaccine during 1997-2001. The children in the near-by communities of Waco, Bryan, and College Station, Texas did not. Study data indicated that that there was an 8-18 percent reduction in the incidence of medically-attended acute respiratory illness in adults within the communities participating in the study. An epidemiologic modeling study predicted that vaccination of 70 percent of school-aged children would keep the rate of transmission within the community below epidemic levels. Vaccinating a large percentage of the school-aged population allows for “high- risk” people to be protected even if not vaccinated. The LAIV (FluMist®) for Schools program at the county level showed great promise. ■ In 2005 Medlmmune donated more than 80,000 doses of FluMist® for school-based vaccinations in 22 school districts, across 13 states. ■ In many of these counties, public health officials reported vaccination rates between 40- 50%. ■ During the 2005-2006 season, Calvert and Carroll counties provided free intranasal influenza vaccinations (FluMist®) to school-aged children. The purpose of these county projects was a public health initiative, demonstrating the public health benefits of vaccinating school-aged children and school staff members. Resources available for a statewide LAIV (FluMist® Inrogram ■ CDC has committed to providing ~ 90,000 doses of FluMist® (approx, cost of $1.6 million) to vaccinate VFC-eligible school children as a part of this program. ■ Medlmmune has committed to providing ~ 83,000 doses of FluMist® for the program. ■ 10 local health departments had committed to provide staffing and other in-kind support for this program. ■ The Administration, through DHMH, has committed to providing funding to purchase an additional 77,000 doses of FluMist® (approx, cost of $1.36 million) to fully implement the program statewide.