07/10/2006 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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I 1 Z J Board of Selectmen Minutes July 10, 2006 APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS: _Health Agent—Glen Harrington—Flu Pandemic Preparation: Glen Harrington, Health Agent was present to discuss plans to treat and vaccinate residents in the event of an avian flu pandemic. The plan includes identifying dispensing response sites. It was however noted,the Town of Mashpee'has not been asked by the State Department of Health to conduct a flu pandemic plan to date. Presently,the Town is taking a proactive stance and identifying the at-risk population,naming specific individuals who would offer immediate assistance and attending training seminars that would assist in the development of a working tool for the Town in a time of need. The Mashpee High School has been earmarked as the Town's dispensing response site. Mr. Harrington informed the Board that presently, there are no vaccines. Once the actual flu is identified,a vaccine is developed from the actual strain of the flu. The process takes several months. A limited amount of vaccine would be made available on a monthly basis to distribute to first responders. The general public would then receive the vaccine at the designated flu clinics when additional amounts would become available for disbursement.-Presently,the flu clinics operated by the Town serve approximately 600 people per day. The Continuity of Operations Plan(COOP)was presented to the Board. The.document provides guidelines and policy to ensure the execution of essential functions in the event the Mashpee Board of Health is threatened by a major emergency. Discussion followed with respect to regionalization. It was agreed the State should take the lead to develop and fund a regional structure as many Cape towns have understaffed health departments. Mr. Harrington indicated he would continue to update the Selectmen as more answers are obtained regarding this matter.