To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Government Operations Agency for COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Eligibility
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and the MOU with California Government Operations Agency;
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the MOU; and
3. Authorize the Public Health Director to sign any amendments to the MOU upon County Counsel and Risk Management review and approval.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175)
DISCUSSION:
From the start of COVID-19 vaccine availability, local health jurisdictions (LHJ’s) have been responsible for oversight of county-level distribution of COVID-19 vaccine allocations to qualified state-approved COVID-19 vaccine providers. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health has coordinated with local providers to ensure allocations of vaccine received from the state are appropriately distributed to qualified providers for equitable delivery of vaccine to eligible populations based on the state’s phased tier system.
Recently the State of California selected Blue Shield as a Third Party Administrator to manage distribution of COVID-19 vaccine allocations in each county. Blue Shield will consult with LHJ’s and coordinate vaccination plans to ensure allocation recommendations to the California Government Operations Agency align with LHJ’s vaccination plans.
As a COVID-19 qualified vaccine provider, DHHS - Public Health is eligible to receive a portion of Humboldt County’s vaccine allocation. DHHS - Public Health utilizes their allocation to ensure community members who do not have access through a healthcare provider, or are at high risk or are disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, have the ability to access and receive vaccines when eligible. The California Government Operations Agency requires that all LHJ’s sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for continued eligibility to receive COVID-19 vaccines from the state once vaccine distribution oversight transitions over to Blue Shield.
The MOU with the California Government Operations Agency before your Board will allow DHHS - Public Health to continue receiving COVID-19 vaccine allocations as an eligible COVID-19 provider.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Vaccines are currently provided by the State of California at no cost to the county. Staff time and supplies to administer vaccine are funded by a combination of state and federal grants in addition to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. For this reason, the county does not bill private insurance, Medi-Cal, or Partnership for vaccination services; therefore, this MOU does not involve any funding and there are no impacts to the county general fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose to not approve the Memorandum of Understanding; however, that is not recommended, as it is required in order for DHHS - Public Health to remain eligible for receipt of COVID-19 vaccine allocations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with California Government Operations Agency
2. Letter from the California Government Operations Agency dated March 16, 2021
3. Follow-up letter from the California Government Operations Agency dated March 22, 2021
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 21-387