Healthcare Committee Description

The Healthcare Committee advocates for the homeless population to receive access to healthcare.

2009-2010 Goals
Healthcare Committee

Strengthen relationships with area medical community with a special emphasis on the Norfolk Health Department and Norfolk Community Services Board.
Develop education program that will provide information to clients and agencies on health topics relevant to the homeless population.
Develop and maintain an updated medical street sheet for use by clients and agencies.
Assist the NHC with information campaign targeting ex-offenders, city jail case managers, and probation and parole personnel to promote our services for homeless clients.

Healthcare for the Homeless referral packet

Committee Minutes

2009 2008 2007

August

June

April

February

December

October

August

February

January

November

October

September

Influenza Update

CDC recommendations.

Several recent documents were discussed regarding the upcoming season of TRADITIONAL SEASONAL Influenza and the NOVEL “swine” H1N1 Influenza vaccination programs. There will be a large effort to vaccinate those designated in at risk groups.

CDC H1N1 Flu | Interim Guidance for Homeless and Emergency Shelters on the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/homeless.htm

Guidance on prevention of spread of disease in shelters.

New CDC Recommendation: All Children Should Receive Annual Seasonal Flu Vaccines http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/706509?src=cmemp

Full Recommendation from CDC for children age 6 months to 18 years to receive the annual TRADITIONAL SEASONAL Influenza vaccination this fall.

CDC Issues H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/706775?sssdmh=dm1.507536&src=nldne

Recommendations for at risk groups to receive the new Novel “swine” H1N1 Influenza vaccination this fall. Those groups are as follows:

Pregnant women,

household contacts of children who are younger than 6 months of age,

healthcare workers and emergency medical services personnel,

children and young people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age, and

nonelderly adults with underlying risk conditions or medical conditions that increase their risk for complications from influenza. (i.e. Asthma, COPD/Emphysema, Congestive Heart Failure, other respiratory/pulmonary disease)

Plans for vaccination clinics

3 clinics are approved at the Salvation Army 19th Street for the Fall/Winter Season. 1 clinic will be for the traditional seasonal flu vaccination. The other 2 will be for the novel H1N1 “swine” flu vaccination program. Homeless clients will be encouraged to receive a vaccination of each type. Promotions and dates to follow, transportation will be arranged to maximize participation.

We will work on other clinics, including an option for Homeless Connect. I have the question into the Health Department now.
Clients already established in the PPMC will have access to vaccinations at their facility.

Veterans will have access to the VA hospital for vaccinations.

I will add this final link; http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

It provides education for all groups in an easy to surf and read format.