Despite cuts, layoffs, health depts. ready for H1N1 flu

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

The health departments hope to combat the staff shortage by hiring temporary nurses for the H1N1 vaccination campaign. These nurses will be paid using the federal Public Health Emergency Response grants provided to states through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials said.

The H1N1 vaccines are expected to be available by mid-October, and Maryland's MedImmune will be the first vaccine manufacturer to provide the vaccines in the form of nasal sprays, CDC announced two weeks ago.

In the second round of state budget cuts since July, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley proposed a reduction of $454 million last month. Those cuts have rippled through other departments, including local health agencies. The Howard County Health Department will lay off 10 percent of its 160 staff members to meet a $900,000 budget cut, according to Dr. Peter Beilenson, health officer at the department.

"Yes, it will affect the department," Beilenson said. "Clearly, by having fewer staff, it becomes difficult to deal with the [H1N1] situation."

The department, however, plans to "fill the gap" by working with fire and rescue and hiring temporary nurses to administer H1N1 vaccines, when they become available.

In total, Maryland will receive more than $4.5 million in PHER grants, according to a Department of Health and Human Services press release in July.

However, Beilenson said the temporary PHER grant "doesn't make up for the $900,000 cut," which meant service cuts in pre-natal clinics, dental clinics and cancer control programs.

St. Mary's County Health Department announced 12 layoffs "as a consequence of state budget cuts for county health departments" last week.

The layoffs which included "mostly support staff" would not affect "any vaccination or immunization program," according to Tracy Kubinec, St. Mary's deputy health officer. "We fully intend to man the clinics. This will, however, put a strain on some other activities."