title: Evaluation of the implementation of the H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine in local health departments (LHDs) in North Carolina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Effective conduct of vaccination campaigns by public health authorities can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with influenza. The emergence of the pandemic H1N1 influenza in April 2009 resulted in an unprecedented vaccination campaign in the US during the 2009-2010 influenza season. The variety of methods local health departments (LHDs) utilized to cope with a mismatch between public demand and supply and ever-changing guidelines have gone unexamined thus far. The purpose of this research is to identify and share lessons learned related to H1N1 influenza vaccination activities at LHDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In April 2010, a comprehensive survey was developed to evaluate 2009-10 LHD H1N1 vaccination practices and document lessons learned. A stratified random sample was selected from NC's 85 LHDs. Interviews were conducted with key personnel involved in LHD vaccination campaigns. Results were analyzed to identify quantitative trends and qualitative themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five of 26 LHDs (96% response rate) participated in our survey. Each LHD utilized a different approach to address the challenges they faced during their H1N1 vaccination campaign. Variation between LHDs was found in terms of the types of vaccine-dispensing methods implemented and in the selection of outside organizations LHDs partnered with to assist with vaccinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and pandemic influenza plan, hiring temporary staff, building on existing community partnerships, implementing a variety of vaccination strategies and using a variety of sites are strategies that will help LHDs deal more effectively with challenges posed by future pandemics.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Institute for Public Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. dibiase@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: DiBiase
authors.forename: Sarah E H
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosselli
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horney
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009111:Local Government; D009657:North Carolina; D058873:Pandemics; D011634:Public Health; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines