Key Components of a School-Located Vaccination Clinic: Lessons Learned From Fall 2009

Abstract

The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus vaccination campaign focused on use of school-located vaccination (SLV) clinics because of the ability of SLV to reach targeted populations. Large numbers of children are found in schools, and schools are conveniently located throughout communities. Communities are generally familiar with and trust schools, and school facilities can generally accommodate mass vaccination clinics. School nurses are familiar with the health of individual students and may be available to assist in vaccination activities. In addition, schools have access to parental contact information, which can facilitate communications. Challenges faced by local health departments (LHDs) and schools in implementing 2009 H1N1 SLV clinics, including disruption of educational activities, locating adequate staff, tailoring immunization activities to meet the needs of each school district, and transportation and administration of vaccine, are explored.

School-based vaccination programmes: a systematic review of the evidence on organisation and delivery in high income countries

“…For example, one paper explored how the declaration of a public health emergency, and the associated federal legislation that was enacted, gave some schools enough assurance for important programme enablers to be adopted such as school nurses acting as vaccinators [27]. Two papers from the US considered how the public responded to a visible and sometimes prominent government role in vaccination programmes [23, 32].…”

“…Long lead ins allowed for advance visits to schools to take place and early planning to avoid conflicts with school events [27]. However, there were many instances of this not happening in practice.…”

Current experience with school-located influenza vaccination programs in the United States

“…Many health departments were able to provide free vaccination to all children during their H1N1 campaigns as a result of federal funding. 6,28,33 Small SLIV programs organized by private physicians have required payment in advance of the clinic. 25 The SLIV program in Pfluegerville, Texas charged $25 in advance but was also a designated Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider and was able to provide free vaccination for children eligible for that program.…”

Physician Attitudes Regarding School‐Located Vaccination Clinics

“…During a local health department's response to pandemic H1N1 in West Virginia, implementation of SLV clinics across the county achieved acceptable vaccination rates despite limited and unpredictable vaccine supply . Experiences from the 2009‐2010 H1N1 flu pandemic have also allowed health departments and schools to identify weaknesses in the delivery system, like inadequate staffing, as well as to recognize successful models for future outbreak responses . A recent systematic literature review by Cawley et al also identified best practices for implementing and increasing the effectiveness of SLV clinics.…”

“…3 Experiences from the 2009-2010 H1N1 flu pandemic have also allowed health departments and schools to identify weaknesses in the delivery system, like inadequate staffing, as well as to recognize successful models for future outbreak responses. [23][24][25] A recent systematic literature review by Cawley et al 26 also identified best practices for implementing and increasing the effectiveness of SLV clinics. Importantly, the utility of SLV clinics is not limited to influenza outbreaks; SLV clinics have been implemented to control outbreaks of other pathogens such as varicella and Neisseria meningitidis.…”