7.11 The End of the Outbreak and the Role of the Outbreak Control Committee

The outbreak coordination committee’s (OCC) responsibilities include:

• Meeting in the absence of an epidemic to plan for breakouts
• Determining the current state of supplies, equipment, and resources
• Predicting and identifying resources and procedures for mass vaccination campaigns to prevent disease
• Predicting and adding possible resources required for a quick response to an outbreak
• Ensuring that staff and training are available for outbreak response
• Analyzing epidemiological data as the outbreak develops
• Delegating responsibilities to employees with precise tasks and communication channels
• Meeting regularly to review data and track progress on implemented measures
• Interacting with members of the public and the media
• Assessing the response to the vaccination program
• Compiling a comprehensive report on outbreak response efforts
• Making any necessary changes to vaccination strategies and programs.

Once the outbreak has ended, the OCC will:

• Take note of any difficulties or shortfalls that were encountered during the course of the program
• Analyze the experiences of all participants involved in the outbreak
• Suggest structural or procedural improvements (if necessary) to reduce the chances of recurrence
• Write the final outbreak report and recommend actions that need to be taken to prevent a recurrence.