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Forsyth County public health outlines contracts, grants and limits on COVID vaccine access
Summary
Public health staff asked commissioners to authorize contracts and grant-funded purchases, and discussed new federal/state guidance that will limit public availability of COVID boosters; commissioners asked staff to explore appeal avenues and budget options.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health briefed the commission at the Sept. 8 briefing on several items: grant-funded training and food-safety work, a multi-year contract for molecular testing equipment and supplies, budget amendments for communicable disease pandemic recovery, purchase orders for non-influenza vaccines and contraceptive devices, and evolving federal guidance affecting availability of COVID boosters.
Nicole Priddy and Camilla Pleasants, assistant public health directors, described multiple items that will come before the board for formal action on Sept. 11. Items included: an $8,500 grant from the National Environmental Health Association to support retail program standards training and equipment; an amendment to accept $39,855 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for communicable disease pandemic recovery (to support staffing and surveillance); and a three-year contract with Hologic Incorporated for molecular testing equipment and supplies with an annual not-to-exceed amount of $175,000 (three-year total $525,000), which staff said was the lowest bid after a formal solicitation.
The briefing also covered a proposed purchase order not to exceed $215,000 for non-influenza vaccines under the MCAP group purchasing agreement, and a $140,000 purchase order for contraceptive pharmaceuticals and devices using Title X family planning funds under Medicaid 340B pricing. Staff said these purchase orders would support departmental immunization and family planning services.
Commissioners questioned whether North Carolina-based vendors could supply the molecular testing equipment; staff said the market for that specialized molecular device is limited and national or out-of-state vendors were the only available options at present. On COVID booster availability, staff said recent federal guidance narrows eligibility to higher-risk groups, reducing the overall population eligible through the health department. Commissioners asked staff to explore whether an appeal to state or federal authorities would be possible and to identify potential local funding sources if broader local distribution were permitted; public health staff said they would follow up with state contacts and investigate options but noted funding for county-purchased COVID vaccine previously used has ended.
Ending: Multiple public health items were presented for formal action on the Sept. 11 agenda. Commissioners requested follow-up on vendor selection history, the appeal process for federal guidance, and whether limited county funds could be used for targeted vaccine purchases.
