KEYWORDS:
Community, Influenza Vaccine, and Partnerships

BACKGROUND:
Community based Influenza Programs are in existence in almost every community; however, my Hospital has formed a unique community partnership with two local nursing schools to assit in the administration of over 18,000 flu shots in 2001. This partnership was initiated in 1999. The program consists of nurses, nursing faculty, nursing students, mid-level providers, ancillary personnel and designated management.

OBJECTIVE(S):
The learner will understand the necessity of community partnerships
The learner will understand how to seek out community partnerships
The learner will understand the process of forming and keeping partnerships to complete public health goals.

METHOD(S):
The method of forming and retaining community partnerships will be explored. The vaccination process from orientation to the flu program to the final evaluation of the staff and participants will be addressed.

RESULT(S):
18,000 Flu shots were administered during the fall of 2001. Staffing included over 100 nursing students, 20 faculty members and approximately 20 registered nurses.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Community partnerships can accomplish public health goals. These goals can be achieved by using the resources that are available and during the educational process for the students they receive a finer understanding of community nursing and public health initiatives.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The learner will leave this session with knowledge to return to their communities and replicate this unique program. This program will encourage community health nurses and the resources they have to lead the charge of vaccinating their community by partnering with local providers of nursing education.