Henry County Supervisors intend to increase Public Health vaccine program budget

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors will likely approve a budget amendment to increase funding for the Henry County Public Health Vaccine Program amid rising costs and changes in vaccine recommendations at this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12. The proposal seeks to address a sharp reduction in funding, alongside new immunization requirements and other financial challenges.

Katie Reuter, Director of Henry County Public Health, outlined the need for the budget adjustment during last week’s meeting with the supervisors.

"I stopped in today to request a budget amendment to increase the funds that are allocated for our private vaccine private pay vaccines at Henry County Public Health," Reuter explained.

She emphasized that the request stems from a funding reduction from $220,000 in fiscal year 2024 to $128,000 in fiscal year 2025.

Reuter added that recent developments, such as the release of new vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in October 2024, have placed additional financial strain on the department. She noted that vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, despite the challenges they present.

According to Reuter, the department has faced a significant drop in resources.

"Our funding for vaccines was cut by $92,000 from fiscal year 24 to fiscal year 25. In fiscal year 24, the total cost for our vaccines was $197,099. The budget had to be amended from $110,000 to $220,000 to cover costs," she said.

Despite these adjustments, the department has encountered further fiscal pressure, with $93,567 already spent on vaccines as of Oct. 31, leaving only $34,000 remaining in the budget.

Reuter explained that the costs have increased further due to the addition of new vaccines and the end of free COVID-19 vaccine availability. "The COVID-19 vaccine was no longer provided free of charge when the public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023," she said. "We carry Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccines, which cost $101 per dose. Our RSV vaccines currently cost $254, $317.05, and $120 per dose, respectively."

The total cost of RSV vaccines for fiscal year 2024 alone has been $37,000, while the COVID-19 vaccine costs were about $61,000 — adding up to a total of $98,870 this year. These expenses have led Reuter to make a strong case for an increase in budget support.

"We are respectfully requesting an amendment to increase our vaccine program budget to $200,000, which still is a decrease from last year's budget of $220,000," Reuter said. "Increasing this funding will enhance our ability to prevent disease outbreaks, protect vulnerable populations, and meet our state and federal vaccination goals."

Reuter stressed the importance of vaccine programs for public health, particularly for vulnerable members of the community. She added, "Our service is valuable to the public. We have walk-in clinics three times per week. We don't require appointments for our clinics. You don't have to have a clinician visit or a co-pay for it."

Reuter concluded her remarks by urging a proactive approach to health care. "I urge a Board of Supervisors to consider this request as an essential step in safeguarding the health of our community," she said. "Vaccines provide protection to our community, and many Henry County citizens have relied on our flu and COVID clinics. It's a vital service for our county."

The supervisors offered support of the increase while still asking questions to better understand the situation. Supervisor Marc Lindeen specifically asked if this increase would be sufficient.

"I don't want you to be afraid to come back in April and say, 'I need another 5 or 10,000,' and that's why I ask you these things,” Lindeen said.

Reuter responded to concerns about whether the adjustment would meet the department's needs stating, "I think it should cover our cost. Last year's funding was $197,000, and we won’t need as much RSV vaccine this year because the initial demand was much higher last year."

The supervisors acknowledged that while it is a complex financial challenge with current restrictions on the General Basic budget, maintaining public health services is essential. Before concluding the conversation with Reuter, the Supervisors added an agenda item to next week’s meeting to officially approve the budget amendment.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com