title: Impact of organizational structure on vaccination of first responders: a case study.
abstract: The experience of H1N1 vaccine delivery to public safety personnel in a suburban county in Florida suggests a relationship between the degree of hierarchy of an agency and successful implementation of a vaccination program for novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This case study describes the structural organization of the Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue in County X, provides timelines for vaccine program implementation and numbers of personnel vaccinated, and illustrates the impact of autonomy on the timeliness of vaccine implementation. An "emergency approval pathway" is recommended for organizations or departments that are likely to encounter delays in disaster or pandemic response due to organizational structure.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGuire-Wolfe
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control; D016495:Police / Q000458:organization & administration
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines