Ohio to receive additional funds for pandemic flu planning

COLUMBUS — The state will receive an additional $29.8 million in federal pandemic preparedness funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to use toward vaccination for H1N1 flu in the coming months.

This third phase of funding brings the total to $50.7 million issued to Ohio since July. The funds will be used to implement H1N1 vaccine planning completed in Phases I and II.

The majority of funds from the first two phases were distributed to Ohio’s 131 local health departments. About 85 percent of Phase I and 94 percent of Phase II funds were given to health departments to assist in their planning efforts for vaccination, antiviral distribution and community mitigation.

While the allocation in this third phase has not yet been determined, the percentage for local health departments will be substantial.