A community outreach influenza vaccination drive as a model for mass disaster prophylaxis.
In October 2012, more than 120 student and faculty volunteers from six different health professional schools (medical, pharmacy, and nursing) vaccinated 430 individuals against influenza at five point of distribution sites in Winnebago County, IL, at no cost to the recipients. In total, 18 organizations, including faith-based and nonprofit groups, organized this vaccination drive, targeting an at-risk population of homeless and impoverished individuals. Preclinical students were provided just-in-time training in vaccine administration and Incident Command System methodology. This community-wide collaborative effort uniquely demonstrates the effectiveness of student volunteerism in emergency preparedness, as well as providing a model for mass prophylaxis in a disaster scenario.
Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois.
Joshua
J
Lawrenz
Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois.
Joseph
J
Puetz
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Region 1 RHCC/Disaster Hospital, Rockford Health System, Rockford, Illinois.
Stephanie
S
Kuschel
Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois; Medical Director, Region 1 RHCC/Disaster Hospital, Rockford Health System, Rockford, Illinois.
John
J
Rudzinski
D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control; D014838:Volunteers / Q000458:organization & administration
D007252:Influenza Vaccines