Immunization Branch
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Flu Action Plan

The Texas Department of Health (TDH), Immunization Division, expects that health care providers will have delays in receiving their influenza vaccine supply. In order to prepare for this delay, the Division has taken the following measures:

1. Communication
• TDH Office of Communications will issue a press release in mid-September.
• TDH Immunization Division will post updates on their website: www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
• TDH will email update to local health departments and TDH Public Health Regional offices.
• TDH is working with state health professional organizations to provide updates for their members.
• Health care providers and citizens can email their influenza vaccine questions directly to feedback.fluvac@dshs.state.tx.us
• Articles were published earlier this year in newsletters such as The Upshot, and Medicaid Updates. Updates will continue to be published as needed.
2. State Vaccine Supply
• TDH has purchased 350,000 doses of influenza vaccine from the state contracted vendor. The vaccine will be distributed to local health departments, TDH regional offices, and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• TDH has also purchased 70,000 doses of influenza vaccine with federal funds for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program for TVFC-eligible children who are at high-risk of complications from influenza disease.
3. Brokering of Influenza Vaccine
• During the influenza vaccination season, TDH can act as a broker between parties that have additional vaccine and those who need vaccine.
4. Nursing Homes
• TDH, Immunization Division will work closely with the Texas Department of Human Services, Long Term Care Regulatory Program to ensure that nursing homes have an adequate supply of vaccine for their residents.
• TDHS issued a Provider Letter in June to inform nursing home facilities of the delay and to order vaccine immediately if they had not already done so.
5. Addressing under-vaccinated racial and ethnic minorities.
• TDH is working with the Texas Medical Foundation, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services' peer review organization in Texas, on addressing under-vaccinated populations. There are two projects in the state to address the health disparities of minorities in relationship to influenza and pneumococcal vaccines

 

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Last Updated July 26, 2005