November 18, 2004

Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski will testify before a congressional committee today to discuss Michigan’s perspective on current influenza vaccine issues.

During the hearing – in front of two subcommittees of the U.S House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee – Olszewski is expected to outline Michigan’s response to the nationwide flu vaccine shortage, and share suggestions with the federal government.

The hearing, which begins at 9:30 a.m., includes both the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Olszewski will represent both the state of Michigan and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

During her testimony, Olszewski will highlight three critical areas to avoid future vaccine shortage problems, including:

• Ensuring a safe and adequate supply of flu vaccine every year;
• Creating an nationwide adult immunization program; and
• Maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure necessary for an optimal emergency response.

“Like other states, Michigan has continued to grapple with ensuring that high-risk groups receive the flu vaccine first,” Olszewski said. “Addressing these three components of an effective national flu fighting strategy will ensure a stable flu vaccine supply and develop systems to ensure maximum coverage of high-risk populations.”

Olszewski, who has been MDCH Director since January 2003, has been praised by national officials for leading Michigan’s proactive response to the influenza vaccine shortage. Olszewski also was one of the nation’s first health officials to issue a mandatory Public Health Order restricting existing flu vaccine supplies to protect high-risk populations.

A Williamston native, Olszewski, 53, is a graduate of Boston University and earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan. She has been a long-time health care executive for the state of Michigan, and has also served as Vice President for Government Programs and Regulation at M-CARE, a non profit managed care company owned by the University of Michigan.