Disaster Response: Past Experience Present Capabilities Future Initiatives

1. Public Health- Seattle & King County Pharmacy Leadership Summit Thursday, May 20th, 2010 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Disaster Response: Past Experience Present Capabilities Future Initiatives Michael Loehr, MRP, CBCP Preparedness Director Public Health- Seattle & King County

2. H1N1 Response2010

3. H1N1 Response – Fall 2010 ______________________________________________________ ■Quickly vaccinate those who need it most ■Augment healthcare capacity to reduce demand, maintain functionality ■Maintain communications with public ■Brace for a long haul

5. Seeking vaccine at pharmacies

6. H1N1 Response – Fall 2010 ______________________________________________________ • ■PHSKC received 24,000 phone calls and 775,000 total website • visits • ■ Primary vaccination strategy - healthcare providers, especially for • high risk patients (71% of total) • ■ 120,000 doses - to pharmacies (15% of total) • 72,000 doses – commercial vaccinators (9% of total) • ■ Additional 57,000 doses shipped direct from manufacturers to • pharmacies in KC beginning January 2010

7. Key Points ______________________________________________________ • Available and accessible medications • Under all circumstances, for all in need • Public and private sector capacity • Pharmacy and commercial vaccinator infrastructure • Public demand for information • Health threats, prevention strategies, resource availability • Interdependence • Value of business continuity planning

8. Key Points ______________________________________________________ Optimization of operational locations Awareness of key geographical locations while relying on pharmacy knowledge of key stores Know pharmacy criteria and capabilities Each threat will determine a different course in strategy Communication is key On-going communication with all pharmacies, not just those immediately participating in a response

9. A Primary Public Health Concern: ______________________________________________________ When King County faces the threat of a widespread disease outbreak, how will we rapidly provide medications to all who need it?

10. Preparing for Disease Outbreaks ______________________________________________________ 2002 – 2004 ■Prepare for bioterrorism attacks – anthrax 2005 – 2009 ■ Influenza (possibly other diseases); vaccination and medication dispensing ■Expanded capacity through agreements, pre-deployment

11. Current Medication Dispensing Capabilities _________________________________________________________ ■ PH Points of Dispensing (PODs) ■Unique populations (homeless, Jail) ■Closed PODs for first responders, hospitals ■Pharmacies (limited number of agreements today)

12. Vaccination/Dispensing ______________________________________________________ 1. Collaboration around key threats: ■Influenza ■Hepatitis A ■Meningococcal meningitis ■Bioterrorist agents (anthrax)

13. Vaccination/Dispensing ______________________________________________________ ■Incorporating pharmacies and commercial vaccinators into mass vaccination / dispensing response ■Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreements ■Storage capabilities - forward deployment of meds

14. Additional Strategies ______________________________________________________ • Legal liability coverage for public-private sector response • 3. Pharmacies as information hubs during disasters • 4. Develop mobile pharmacy capability (support mass care operations) • 5. Expand closed PODs (private sector, government)

15. Questions? Comments? ______________________________________________________ Michael Loehr, MRP, CBCP Preparedness Director Public Health – Seattle & King County Michael.loehr@kingcounty.gov 206-263-8687