DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Vincent R. Nathan
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Ratifying Submission of an Annual Renewal Application for the CDC Immunization and Vaccines for Children Grant
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifies the submission of a grant renewal application to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, for the Immunization and Vaccines for Children (VFC) grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and authorizes a proposed program budget, program income, personnel complement, and the acceptance of funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $2,872,924.00 for the ongoing Immunization Project of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a term beginning April 1, 2017 and ending
June 30, 2018.
In addition, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the application and acceptance of the referenced grants, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to these contracts, to include: a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contracts so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to a grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded to the grant; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in State or Federal regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In collaboration with the CDC, Metro Health administers an Immunization Project that works to reduce illnesses by maximizing the number of children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenza type b, varicella, pneumonia, hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, and meningitis. The project has two components, the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC Program) and the 317 Childhood Immunization Program (Section 317 Program).
The VFC Program provides vaccines recommended by the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to over 175 VFC-enrolled healthcare providers in San Antonio. This program targets children who are eligible for Medicaid and those who are either uninsured or underinsured (i.e. child’s insurance does not cover immunizations). The Section 317 Program provides supplemental vaccines targeted to children seen in VFC provider and Metro Health clinic settings who are not eligible for VFC vaccines. The VFC and Section 317 Programs also provide support for project personnel and infrastructure. The Section 317 Program supports
the San Antonio Immunization Registry.
In FY 2017 Metro Health clinics are projected to administer an estimated 22,000 immunizations and the 170 VFC providers are projected to administer an additional 504,000 immunizations to eligible participants of these programs. Overall, a total of 526,000 doses of vaccine are projected to be administered to the community through the VFC and Section 317 immunization programs.
ISSUE:
Metro Health has received funding from the CDC for Immunization and Vaccines for Children Programs for over 20 years to support public health immunization programming and vaccine delivery to Bexar County. The immunization of children to prevent illnesses like pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps and other vaccine preventable diseases, continues to be an important health strategy. This Ordinance will allow Metro Health to continue the important work of providing enhanced education, outreach, technical support, immunizations, disease surveillance, adult/adolescent health activities, immunization registry data entry and vaccine distribution services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The funding provided by this grant supports vital immunization services for children. Should City Council choose not ratify the submission of this grant renewal application, funds will be redistributed to other grantees, limiting opportunities to provide immunization services to San Antonio residents, particularly children.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting authorization to ratify a grant renewal application to the CDC to continue the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program for an amount up to $2,872,924.00 for a term beginning April 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018. This Ordinance will also authorize the acceptance of funds upon award, a proposed program budget, program income and a personnel complement which supports funding for Thirty (30) full time positions. No other positions will be added. This grant does not require a cash match and there is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing the ratification of the grant renewal application by Metro Health to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and authorizing the acceptance of funds upon award to continue to provide immunization services for underserved children in Bexar County in order to prevent diseases.