The Virginia Department of Health created a system that enables the state to track SNS dispensing supplies and healthcare volunteer deployment during an emergency.
As part of the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) H1N1 vaccination campaign, state health officials undertook many activities to reach racial and ethnic minority populations in the Commonwealth. The state used measured research to thoughtfully position H1N1 media and outreach efforts to minority populations, specifically African-American and Hispanic groups.
When Virginia Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP declared a public health emergency due to the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic, her declaration by code allowed her access to the state's database for all licensed healthcare providers. This presented a useful new communications channel.
The novel H1N1 pandemic has provided Virginia with an opportunity to greatly enhance its statewide Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS).
The electronic registry system, established in the 2005 state legislative session, was experiencing a slow rollout before the pandemic. About 200 private providers were registered before a pandemic was declared.
