Airline reinstates free delivery of vaccines to Pacific

Health officials in the Pacific heaved a sigh a relief yesterday following United Airlines’ decision to reinstate free shipment of flu vaccines to the region.

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta relayed the good news to Saipan Tribune after confirming it from Michael Epp, an official of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, or PIHOA.

United Airlines last week discontinued the service of free shipping them, a decision appealed by PIHOA members, which include the CNMI healthcare corporation.

“PIHOA members: Good news. United Airlines has reversed its decision and has agreed to ship excess Department of Defense influenza vaccines to the USAPI for free,” stated Epp in his email correspondence to members.

USAPI stands for U.S. Associated Pacific Islands which include public health department from Guam, healthcare corporation in CNMI, health departments from Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa.

According to Epp, the airline’s decision was relayed by the Joint Task Force Homeland Defense Interagency Coordinator, Michelle Garcia, to PIHOA.

Garcia, in her letter to PIHOA, indicated that they have continued to work with the United Airlines regarding the company’s early decision to stop the free shipment of vaccines and which it reconsidered and revived the efforts.

“We have continued to work with United Airlines on this effort and as of today, we have a verbal agreement of support for gratis delivery of flu vaccine to the Pacific,” Garcia’s letter indicated, adding that she spoke with the airline’s director of sales in Micronesia and who re-confirmed their support to the U.S. Pacific Islands Vaccine Program and their commitment to the Pacific island community.

Garcia thanked the PIHOA members in helping to push for the continuation of the program. She indicated that delivery of free vaccines for the last two locations this year—Guam and Kosrae—will continue with the airline and expected to be delivered within next two weeks. The CNMI received this year’s flu vaccine request of 330 doses last April 15.

The U.S. Pacific Islands Vaccine Program began in 2007 when the U.S. Department of Defense realized it was destroying excess vaccine while the Pacific islands had a shortage.

DOD began the program with a pilot in the CNMI which resulted in close 8000 doses being sent. It later expanded to include six locations sending 26,500 doses valued at nearly $260,000.

The Joint Task Force Homeland Defense along with Tripler Army Medical Center and the U.S. Army Medical Material Agency were the ones that coordinated delivery of excess flu vaccine to the region.

Saipan Tribune learned that every year Hawaiian Airlines and Continental Micronesia has partnered with DOD to fly the donated flu vaccine at no cost.

Hawaiian flew the vaccine to American Samoa, while Guam, the CNMI, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands are all dependent on United Airlines.

PIHOA members expressed their gratitude to the airline for reinstating the gratis delivery of needed vaccine in the region.