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Public-health director outlines vaccine guidance, staffing shortages and training plan
Summary
Director McGinn told the committee pharmacies will provide flu shots and that COVID vaccine coverage is currently limited to older and vulnerable residents; she also briefed the committee on a planned RSI paramedic training and shortages in nursing staff.
Director McGinn updated the Public Safety Committee on several public-health items, including vaccination guidance, staffing gaps and proposed training funded through the 2026 budget.
On vaccinations, McGinn said flu shots are available at pharmacies and that recent FDA guidance limits the COVID vaccine’s pharmacy coverage to people 65 and older and certain vulnerable groups, with ACIP expected to issue further recommendations. "The FDA has approved the COVID vaccine for over 65 and certain vulnerable, chronic disease patients," McGinn said, adding that coverage under the governor’s pharmacy order applies to those groups.
On staffing, McGinn reported that the department is short two full‑time nurse positions; one position was converted to an LPN and the county posted that job, receiving 11 applicants. She also requested committee approval for an emergency fill to advertise and recruit an environmental-health director; the motion to permit the emergency fill carried.
On training, McGinn and the chair discussed moving funds in the preliminary 2026 budget to create a centralized RSI (rapid sequence intubation) training program for paramedics. McGinn said medical directors from multiple squads have agreed to support the course and the committee discussed shifting line items rather than increasing the bottom-line budget.
Committee members asked about pharmacy availability and whether physicians were issuing the off‑label prescriptions needed for people who do not meet the FDA-covered categories; McGinn said pharmacies and physician prescribing practices will determine access for those outside the covered groups. There was no vote on vaccine policy; the committee approved the personnel and budget-training items that required resolutions.
