Roles and Responsibilities of Key Partners

The success of an immunization program is dependent upon partnerships and collaborations. As a component of the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program many of those who support the immunization program provide support for the CDC work in general. This section outlines the levels of responsibilities of those involved in the New Brunswick Immunization Program from a general perspective and does not reflect the specific organizational structures of the Regional Health Authorities.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) isthe provincial Public Health office lead by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH). Under the Public Health Act (PHA) and Regulations (2009), the CMOH is a designate of the Minister of Health.

The OCMOH is responsible to:
1. Plan, fund, monitor and evaluate the New Brunswick Immunization Program. This is supported by the work of a number of health professionals in the OCMOH including public health physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, inspectors, data analysts, support staff and others.
2. Determine the New Brunswick routine immunization schedule, targeted high risk schedules and parameters for use of vaccine in the control of cases or outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.
3. Communicate routine immunization schedules, eligibility criteria, and program policy guidelines and standards to Regional Health Authorities- Public Health and provincial partners including professional associations.
4. Secure and manage contracts that allow for the procurement of vaccines and biological preparations used in publicly funded immunization programs.
5. Supply a “Record of Immunization “for use by those who administer publicly funded vaccine per Regulation 2009-136.
6. Supply the forms to document instances where proof of immunization is not required as per Regulation 2009-136.
7. Analyze AEFI data and disseminate reports.
8. Assist with consultations on AEFI related matters with the RMOH when necessary.

The Central Serum Depot (CSD) is part of the OCMOH. It is a centrally located depot for publicly funded vaccines and biologics.

The CSD is responsible to:
1. Procure vaccines and biological preparations used in the New Brunswick Immunization Program.
2. Ensure the safe handling and storage of vaccines and biologics within its care. 3. Distribute vaccines and biologics.

The Regional Medical Officer of Health (RMOH) The RMOH is the regional delegate of the CMOH and is responsible for the oversight of public health in their assigned geographical region.

The RMOH is responsible to:
1. Supports the implementation of immunization program policies, standards and guidelines March 2014 Introduction 2 of 3 including those related to AEFI.
2. May be involved in regional immunization program development and evaluation.
3. Provides the medical directive necessary for nurses to immunize according to the New Brunswick Immunization Program in Regional Health Authority Public Health settings and, upon request in First Nations Community Health settings.
4. May assist with providing medical consultation on immunization related matters to immunization practitioners within the Regional Health Authority.
5. Receives/reviews reports of AEFIs from the Regional Health Authority- in keeping with provincial policies and guidelines.
6. Makes recommendation to the health care provider regarding future immunizations for client that have experienced an AEFI.

The Regional Health Authority-Public Health Programs (RHA-PH) This section is a description of Regional Health Authority role in the provision of immunization services to its population.

The RHA Administrative Authority for Public Health Programs is responsible to:
1. Ensure that their populations are optimally immunized by planning, delivering and evaluating immunization programs.
2. Ensure that immunization services are provided in keeping with the directives of the New Brunswick Immunization Program.
3. Ensure that publicly funded vaccines and biologics in their keeping are stored, maintained and monitored as set out by provincial storage and handling guidelines.
4. Ensure the cold chain is maintained during distribution of product to other providers.
5. Ensure that all those who provide immunization services within the public health setting have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and competently provide vaccine as well as identify and report adverse eventsfollowing immunization asis demonstrated in part through completion of a certification program approved by the OCMOH.
6. Ensure that immunization records and AEFI reports are managed as per organizational records management and privacy policies.
7. Ensure immunization program information, including AEFI information, is communicated to appropriate stakeholders within their jurisdiction.
8. Provide expertise and support on immunization related matters , including AEFIs to immunization practitioners within the geographical boundaries of the regional health authority.
9. Provide access to competencies tools and resources to immunizers practicing outside of the Public Health setting.
10. Oversee the storage and handling of vaccines and biologics and make recommendations to ensure standards are maintained.
11. Monitor vaccine inventory and report to OCMOH as per provincial inventory management policies and guidelines.
12. Oversee the surveillance of the regulatory requirements of the PHA and Regulation 2009-136 sections (12) as they relate to the immunization of school children and children attending daycare and in keeping with provincial policies and guidelines.
13. Oversee the surveillance of regulatory requirements of the Public Health Act as it relates to reportable events, including AEFIs, and in keeping with provincial policies, standards and guideline
14. Oversee, and coordinate reports of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) in collaboration with the RMOH and report to OCMOH in keeping with provincial policies, standards and guidelines.
15. Ensure mechanisms are in place to receive and review all submitted AEFI report forms from multiple sources. March 2014 Introduction 3 of 3
16. Ensure AEFI recommendations are communicated to the immunization provider.

All Providers of publicly funded and non-publicly funded vaccine (including but not limited to, all physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and pharmacists) are responsible to:
1. Adhere to the regulatory requirements as they apply to immunization and AEFIs.
2. Follow the policies, standards and guidelines as set out by the OCMOH for the delivery of the New Brunswick Immunization Program this includes policies, standards and guidelines for AEFIs.
3. Provide clients that have experienced an AEFI with recommendation for future immunizations as outlined by the RMOH.
4. Ensure that vaccines and biologics in their care will be maintained as per provincial storing and handling guidelines.
5. Practice in a safe and competent manner

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