Font ResizeLAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County commissioners on Tuesday approved $100,000 to update vaccinations and medical testing for an unknown number of the county's EMS and firefighting volunteers.
Also, the county recognized outgoing County Commissioner Oscar Vásquez-Butler, whose term ends Dec. 31.
An unknown number of the county's 300 volunteers have fallen behind on vaccinations for hepatitis B, as well as three tests - tuberculosis, hepatitis C and HIV - meant to serve as a baseline that could show whether a person had contracted any of those diseases on the job.
Administering shots and testing could begin soon after Tuesday's approval, said County Fire Marshal Robert Monsivaiz.
"We're going to use a vendor already on contract with the county, so it could be implemented rather quickly - I'd venture to say by the end of the week," he said.
Monsivaiz said he's still seeking accurate information from each of the districts about the exact number of volunteers who are in need of the vaccinations and testing.
The expense of providing vaccinations - a hepatitis B series costs $225 per person, according to a county agenda - is one reason volunteers across the county's 16 fire districts have fallen behind, some fire officials have said. The tests, meanwhile, run from $22.50 apiece to $35.
The commission approved the spending as part of the consent agenda, with no discussion on the matter.
County Commissioner Karen Perez, at the end of the meeting, thanked county
County personnel in a number of departments, including within the fire districts, are required to get the vaccine - or sign a waiver denying it - under a county manager's directive.
Monsivaiz said it's possible volunteers will decide to not get the vaccination.
"What the directive is doing is saying the county is going to offer it to everyone, not necessarily that everyone needs to take it," he said. "It's up to the individual to either accept the shot or decline it."
But if a person declines, Monsivaiz said, there's nothing to stop them from deciding later on to get it.
Officials with some districts have said they don't believe all volunteers actually need the shots because some don't respond to medical calls.
Also Tuesday, Vásquez-Butler presented 2009-10 "Hero" awards to state Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces; state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces; Rodey resident Virginia Bustamante and County Manager Brian Haines for efforts toward improving the county's colonias.
Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575) 541-5443.
