KEYWORDS:
Casinos, ault immunization, promotion.

BACKGROUND:
Many patrons at Wisconsin’s 17 Native American casinos/bingo halls are Medicare beneficiaries. This audience is generally healthy, mobile and predisposed to visiting casinos. Casinos attempt to position themselves as community-oriented.


OBJECTIVE(S):
If casinos promoted and offered influenza and pneumococcal immunization to their customers, we would reach a desirable population at a convenient, fun location, and Wisconsin’s immunization rates would increase.

METHOD(S):
- Casinos were contacted regarding “Shot and a Slot.” Selling points were: 1) community relations; 2) attracting people for immunization and then staying/playing; and 3) increased revenue through increased traffic and casino-provided incentives.
- MetaStar contacted local public health departments or home health agencies to conduct the clinics. Casino volunteers handled logistics.
- Beneficiaries who went to a casino on a specified day received a flu shot, and pneumo as necessary.
- In return for immunization, casinos awarded recipients with a slot machine token (thus, “Shot and a Slot”). Casino staff distributed the premium.
- Casinos promoted clinics in radio and newspaper ads and mailings. MetaStar helped promote as appropriate, including an initial press conference, promotional materials and radio interviews.


RESULT(S):
- Sixteen clinics were scheduled. Some were cancelled or rescheduled based on vaccine availability, but 15 completed clinics produced 675 influenza shots and 163 pneumococcal shots (24 percent got both shots).
- $UCCE$$ $TORY: One woman received her shot and token. She used the token on a slot machine and ultimately won $1.4 million.


CONCLUSIONS(S):
Casinos are an appropriate place for immunization. Promoting, educating and providing pneumonia shots during flu shot season is a highly effective intervention for raising Wisconsin’s overall immunization rates.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Could reaching a targeted audience in an unusual, convenient and fun location (casinos) successfully combine promotional, educational and immunization activities?