December 6, 2004

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director Janet Olszewski said today that Michigan would officially lift a public health order Thursday that currently restricts influenza vaccine to vulnerable citizens.

“Since the national crisis with the influenza vaccine shortage began, our No. 1 goal in Michigan has been to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens had access to a limited vaccine supply,” Olszewski said. “We are now confident that our partners in public health have had ample opportunity to vaccinate high-risk individuals that have stepped forward.”

Several groups – including the Michigan Association of Local Public Health – recommended to Olszewski last week that the order be lifted. The order takes effect on Thursday, but Olszewski said she wanted to make her decision public earlier, so both providers and individuals could make necessary preparations.

Olszewski also said MDCH has individually contacted virtually all nursing homes throughout the state to assess vaccine supply status. A vast majority of them have assured the department that senior citizens residing in their facilities have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Officials continued to stress that despite Thursday’s lifting of the order, priority groups – as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – should receive existing supplies of vaccine first.

“Providers should now also focus on vaccinating other priority groups that would be protected in a typical season, including individuals aged 50 or older, people that live with a family member that has a chronic disease, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and a broader range of health care workers,” said Dr. Dean Sienko, acting State Chief Medical Executive.

Olszewski made the decision to lift the order on Monday after consulting with Sienko, Chief Public Health Administrative Officer Jean Chabut, and other MDCH disease specialists about existing vaccine supply and influenza activity in Michigan.

Michigan has received 1.7 million doses of the flu vaccine, and another 200,000 are in the pipeline for an estimated 3.4 million people in Michigan considered a priority for vaccine. Several local health departments also have orders in for more vaccine specifically designated for high-risk individuals.

Olszewski issued the public health order on October 14 in the wake of a Chiron Corporation announcement that the company would be unable to ship vaccine to the U.S. for the 2004-05 flu season, leaving the nation with only half of its anticipated vaccine supply.

Flu activity continues to increase throughout the state, with MDCH’s lab now confirming eight cases of influenza in Michigan.