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SCHUMER: CURRENT EFFORTS IN RESPONSE TO GROWING H1N1 CRISIS HAVE GAPING HOLES - PROPOSES NEW PLAN TO INCREASE NURSES IN SCHOOLS, ENSURE VACCINES ARE GOING TO THOSE MOST AT RISK AND IMPROVE INFORMATION FLOW TO LOCALITIES
Nov 03, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) --
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled his steps to address the growing H1N1 influenza concerns in Westchester County and across the state. Schumer's plan calls for the CDC to increase communication with state health departments so schools districts and health professionals know when they will be receiving their supply; provide additional emergency funding for school-based health providers to give vaccines during school hours, identify flu symptoms and educate regarding prevention strategies; and increase accountability so vendors of vaccines - especially grocery stores, big box stores and other nontraditional vaccine providers - are distributing them to at-risk populations like pregnant women and young people. The plan comes as local governments, schools, and health professionals have expressed concern about the availability of the vaccine and many parents complaining that their children have been unable to receive the vaccine due to shortages.
"As we have seen, H1N1 is a serious threat to public health, especially to children, pregnant women and the elderly, and is a problem that we must address head on," Schumer said. "While local governments, schools, and health officials have been working hard to effectively combat H1N1 and provide the vaccine to at-risk populations, we must do more and we must do better. The CDC must begin communicating more effectively with local governments so everyone knows when vaccines can be expected, and in what quantity. We also need to beef up our school personnel so that we can more efficiently administer the vaccine, and so that symptoms are identified earlier and prevention is effectively being taught."
As local governments, schools, and health professionals have expressed concern about the availability of the vaccine and many parents complaining that their children have been unable to receive the vaccine due to shortages, Schumer today pushed his plan to address the growing H1N1 crisis. First, Schumer is pushing for the CDC to ensure that the providers of the vaccines - including places like grocery stores and box stores- are giving priority to the most vulnerable people. Pregnant women and those under 25 are the most vulnerable population, and should have the first access to the vaccines. In fact, 6% of H1N1 related fatalities have been pregnant women, though they only comprise 1% of the population. Schumer said that this is a critical step in using the available vaccines in the most effect way possible.
Second, Schumer is urging the CDC to increase their communication efforts with state and local health departments, and provide to the greatest extent possible information on when more vaccines will become available. Currently the CDC provides daily updates on the number of available vaccines, but Schumer said that they should be working towards giving municipalities as much notice as possible. In many cases, local health departments and emergency preparedness officials are unable to provide H1N1 information to schools and the public because they have not received it from the CDC, or have received conflicting information from State and Federal officials. As a result, it appears that local distribution of the vaccine is impaired. For example, in Westchester there are over 300,000 residents who fall within a demographic susceptible to H1N1 influenza. However, only a small number of Westchester residents have been able to access the vaccine. Schumer believes increased public awareness will mitigate existing concerns surrounding the availability of the vaccine, as well as further the ability of governments and health care providers to dispense the vaccine to those Americans who want it. Schumer said that as the production of H1N1 vaccines continues, it should be made clear to localities when they will be getting vaccines and in what quantities.
Schumer is also calling for emergency funding for additional medical personnel in schools. Nurses can be vital in identifying the symptoms of H1N1 early and teach prevention, thereby slowing the spread. Critically, nurses can also administer vaccines to children. The shortage of school nurses could lead to more students falling ill from the H1N1 influenza, which can be particularly dangerous for children with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions. A 2008 survey by the National Association of School Nurses found that only 45% of public schools have their own full-time nurse, another 30% have a part-time nurse, and 25% don't have nurses at all. The average nurse-to-student ratio nationwide was one nurse for every 1,151 students, while federal recommendations call for one nurse for every 750 students. According to a survey by the National Association of School Nurses, New York has an average of one nurse for every 1,007 students. With increased school-based health professionals, children, a demographic at higher risk of contracting the H1N1 flu, will be able to be vaccinated during the school day. Schumer urged the administration to tap into the $5.8 billion in emergency funds made available by Congress to combat the H1N1 virus to accomplish this influx of medical personnel.
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