Board urges vaccinations, discusses Maven training and regional survey participation
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Summary
Board members reviewed local COVID-19 and influenza trends, warned about measles outbreaks elsewhere, discussed training a local Maven as a backup data/communication lead, and agreed to participate in a regional public-health survey to support funding and planning.
At the Feb. 25 meeting board members reviewed state data showing relatively high flu rates, recent increases and a possible decline in COVID-19 cases, and expressed concern about a large measles outbreak reported in Texas. The chair emphasized that measles is highly contagious and urged residents to keep routine immunizations up to date.
The board discussed training an additional local ‘Maven’ (a town-level point person for data and communications) to serve as a backup; members asked to set a training date and suggested the new trainee be cross-trained for data entry and public messaging duties.
Board members also discussed a regional public-health survey (referred to in the meeting as an FTPH/MPHN survey and led from Fitchburg) intended to collect local staffing and financial data to inform regional public-health unit planning and potential state funding. The board approved participating in the survey and asked staff to request a copy and an offer of assistance from the regional coordinator to help complete financial and staffing items that reference fiscal year 2024 data.
Additionally, the board noted a public-health emergency planning coalition (PHEP) award for one automated external defibrillator (AED) for the senior center and related equipment requests; the board reported one AED was approved from the regional PHEP funds to support the town’s emergency operations in senior-serving locations.
No regulatory orders were issued; board members encouraged vaccinations and authorized staff to proceed with Maven cross-training and survey participation.