DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Anita Kurian, Assistant Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of funds upon award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Grants Services (OGS) for the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program, CFDA No. 93.268, in an amount not to exceed $2,665,782 for 12 months beginning July 1, 2021 and ending July 30, 2022 and authorizing a proposed program budget, program income, and a personnel complement of 31 full-time positions.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds upon award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Grant Services (OGS) for the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program, CFDA No. 93.268, in an amount not to exceed $2,665,782 for 12 months beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022 and authorizing a personnel complement of thirty (30) existing full-time positions; one new position will be added. There is no impact on the General Fund in the form of a cash match.
The above referenced request for funding includes a project narrative, budget, and budget narrative.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and a grant contract to effectuate the acceptance of the referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this contract, 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 contract 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 the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount 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 regulations mandated by the funding agency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In collaboration with the CDC, Office of Grants Services (OGS), Metro Health administers an immunization project (project) that works to reduce illnesses by maximizing the number of children immunized against vaccine-preventative 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 (VFC) Program and the 317 Immunization Program (Section 317 Program).
The VFC Program provides vaccines recommended by the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to 156 VFC-enrolled healthcare providers in San Antonio. The program targets children under 18 who meet one of the following criteria: eligible for Medicaid, uninsured, underinsured (i.e., the child’s insurance does not cover immunizations), or American Indian or Alaska Native. The Section 317 Program provides supplemental vaccines targeted to eligible individuals and supports Metro Health’s efforts to maintain or improve response activities to vaccine preventable disease public health threats. The VFC and Section 317 Programs also provide support for project personnel and infrastructure.
In FY 2021 Metro Health clinics are projected to administer an estimated 12,000 immunizations and the 156 VFC and Adult Safety Net providers are projected to administer an additional 435,000 immunizations to eligible participants of these programs. Overall, a total of 447,000 doses of vaccine are projected to be administered to the community through the Immunizations and Vaccines for Children Program.
ISSUE:
Metro Health has received funding from the CDC for the 317 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 activities and vaccine distribution services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The funding provided by this grant application supports vital immunization services for children. Should City Council choose not to approve the submission of this grant application, funds will be redistributed to other grantees, limiting opportunities to provide immunization services to San Antonio residents, particularly children.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Grants Services (OGS) for the Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program in an amount not to exceed $2,665,782.00 beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. This ordinance will also authorize a proposed program budget, program income and a personnel complement which supports funding for 31 full-time positions. There is no impact on the General Fund in the form of a cash match.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of funds upon award from the CDC OGS to continue to provide immunization services for underserved children in San Antonio and Bexar County in order to prevent diseases.