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DSHS Response to Meningococcal Requirement in Institutions of Higher Education Update

DSHS Response to Meningococcal Requirement in Institutions of Higher Education Update. Luis Valenzuela Adult & Adolescent Immunization Coordinator Tony Aragon, MS Epidemiologist, Acting Assessment, Compliance, & Evaluation Manager June 21 st , 2012. Outline.

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DSHS Response to Meningococcal Requirement in Institutions of Higher Education Update

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  1. DSHS Response to Meningococcal Requirement in Institutions of Higher Education Update Luis Valenzuela Adult & Adolescent Immunization Coordinator Tony Aragon, MS Epidemiologist, Acting Assessment, Compliance, & Evaluation Manager June 21st, 2012

  2. Outline • Background: 82nd Texas Legislature • Meningococcal Action Plan • Texas Immunization Stakeholder Working Group (TISWG) Collaboration • DSHS Immunization Branch Response Efforts • TISWG Member Commitment Highlights • Barriers and Next Steps • Q and A

  3. Background:The 82nd Texas Legislature Adopted SB 1107 Requires all entering students to show evidence of meningitis vaccine Does not apply to students who are enrolled only in online or distance education courses or are 30 years of age or older Legislation took effect Sept. 1, 2011 Requirement was effective Jan. 1, 2012

  4. 2011 Fall Semester EnrollmentTexas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Estimates • 2011 THECB Estimates • Estimated 652,141first-time students of all ages • 286,120 between the ages of 18 and 21 • 168,228 between the ages of 22 and 29 • Total of 454,348 potentially affected by law

  5. Meningococcal Action Plan • Immunization Branch developed an action plan with two main objectives: • Ensure that 16 to 18 year olds receive a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine (medical recommendation) • Ensure entering college students ages 19 to 29 receive an meningococcal vaccine within 5 years before enrolling in college

  6. TISWG Collaboration • Held break-out sessions at March 2012 TISWG • Obtained several actionable items • DSHS Immunization Branch executed communication plan with input from stakeholders focusing on… • Provider education • Education for students and families • Assisting institutions of higher education

  7. DSHS Immunization Branch Response Efforts • Launched meningococcal microsite • http://CollegeVaccineRequirements.Com • Includes information and resources • Meningococcal Vaccine Requirements • Obtaining vaccine • Disease information • Approximately 2,500 visitors since going live (5/18/12)

  8. DSHS Immunization Branch Response Efforts • Microsite widely disseminated and referenced • Public health distribution lists • Client encounters • Professional medical societies • School nurse network • TEA • Schanbaum MCV4 national media campaign • Colleges and universities • Direct email blast to providers via EVI

  9. DSHS Immunization Branch Response Efforts • Created informational 1-pagers for distribution • For health care providers • For entering college students • Widely disseminated among • Colleges and Universities • Public health distribution lists • Professional medical societies • School nurse network • TEA

  10. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Clark Petty (San Antonio Metro Health) • Made contact with Café College and developed relationship • Forwarded microsite to the local colleges, universities

  11. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Kirk White (Texas Administrators of Continuing Education, Houston Community College) • Provided summary of TISWG meeting to President of TACE (who has been part of the meningitis vaccine law effort) and with HCC Meningitis Task Force • Available to facilitate communications with the THECB, DSHS and Immunization Partnership on behalf of TACE as needed • Distributed microsite to both HCC and the TACE membership

  12. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Maureen M. Moore (The Immunization Partnership) • Immunization Champions projects in 7 clinics were fully briefed and encouraged to remind and recall their adolescent patients prior to summer rush • Information about MCV4 on The Immunization Partnership’s website includes a video • Website has another page dedicated to meningitis disease information: www.immunizeusa.org/protect-college-students-from-meningitis

  13. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Kate Alfano (Texas Academy of Family Physicians) • Promoted the website through electronic newsletter on May 31 • Included presence on website

  14. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Alice Hallgren (Fort Bend County Clinical Health Services) • Found local Pharmacies and Providers who cater to adults and compiled a list from this information and made it available to anyone seeking adult MCV4 • Instructed the staff who screen phone calls at our offices to provide this information • Contacted several school nurses in our district, reminding them to inform their students who are turning 18 to get their booster MCV4 and the importance of signing up for IMMTRAC

  15. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Kathy Cavin, Debbie Tucker, Isabel Hargrove (Austin/Travis County HHSD) • Contacted all area colleges/universities • Sent letters to 19 high school nurses about ImmTrac and included info about MCV4 and college, offering assistance with college-bound seniors • Added the microsite to Travis County VFC website

  16. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Patsy Schanbaum (The Jamie Group) • MEDIA TOUR- referenced microsite and informed on meningococcal disease • Forwarded a list (with links) to media outlets • Included microsite website - thejamiegroup.org • Will reach out to HEB

  17. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Daniel Acosta (Immunize El Paso) • Conducted vaccination campaign-target areas is the parent education • Continue to utilize media partners • Realized need for better communication with school officials

  18. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • LalaYerger, Sharon Currie, Jennifer Sutherland, Deborah Hernandez (Corpus Christi Nueces County Health Dept.) • In process of creating recall/reminder • Website has been updated with links to collegevaccinerequirements, DSHS, CDC (National Vaccine Program), Immunization Action Coalition, Immunization Partnership and National Network on Immunization Information • Letters concerning vaccine (particularly MCV4) requirements were sent to parents with students at area high schools (distributed via CCISD cooperation and partnership)

  19. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • LalaYerger, Sharon Currie, Jennifer Sutherland, Deborah Hernandez (Corpus Christi Nueces County Health Dept.) • Six offsite vaccination clinics were conducted at five high schools and one charter school • Insert has been completed and is awaiting printing and distribution in July city utility bills

  20. Individual TISWG Member Commitments • Leslie Myers (Safeway) • Provide resources and link to pharmacists • Educate parents, students, and school districts • Work with insurance payors to provide pharmacy coverage for vaccines

  21. Barriers and Next Steps • Barriers • Fast timeline • Needed a complete distribution list to send out timely information to all stakeholders • Next Steps • Use distribution lists established for updates and to solicit feedback • Continue to work with stakeholders • Will continue to work with THECB and TISWG to provide updates as needed

  22. Questions & Answers Tony Aragon Tony.aragon@dshs.state.tx.us Luis Valenzuela Luis.valenzuela@dshs.state.tx.us

  23. Conclusion Chose most actionable, relevant items to execute with limited resources All actions centered around communication plan Can apply strategies and resources gained to future occurrences Will continue to work with THECB and TISWG to provide updates as needed

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