ORDER TO CONTROL INFLUENZA VACCINATION
WHEREAS INFLUENZA IS DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH; AND,
WHEREAS THE NATION AND DELAWARE ARE EXPERIENCING AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN EPIDEMIC OF INFLUENZA WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS OR MONTHS; AND,
WHEREAS DELAWARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUED AN EMERGENCY ORDER ON OCTOBER 21, 2004 LIMITING INFLUENZA VACCINATION TO PERSONS IN HIGH RISK CATEGORIES; AND,
WHEREAS DEMAND FROM PERSONS IN THOSE HIGH RISK CATEGORIES HAS DIMINISHED AND VACCINE IS STILL AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR; AND,
WHEREAS IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO THEREFORE EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS VACCINATED AGAINST INFLUENZA,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, pursuant to Title 16, Section 122 of Delaware Code, Health and Safety THAT ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN DELAWARE SHALL LIMIT INFLUENZA VACCINATION TO PERSONS IN HIGH RISK CATEGORIES. Health care providers shall refrain from vaccinating healthy individuals not at high risk of serious illness or death from influenza.
For purposes of this order:
"Health care provider" means any person authorized under the laws of Delaware to administer influenza vaccinations.
"High risk categories" means:
- all children aged 6-23 months;
- adults aged 50 years or older
- person aged 2-49 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
- all women who will be pregnant during influenza season;
- resident of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
- children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
- health care workers involved in direct patient care; and
- out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons in the high-risk categories.
It is further ordered that health care providers and others that possess influenza vaccine cooperate with the Division of Public Health to assess vaccine supply and coordinate vaccination of persons in high-risk categories.
It is further ordered that health care providers prominently post this Order to Control Influenza Vaccination in locations where influenza vaccination is administered.
This order shall take effect January 3, 2005 and supersedes the emergency order of October 21, 2004.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Vincent P. Meconi January 3, 2005
VINCENT P. MECONI, SECRETARY DATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
