KEYWORDS:
Adult, Immunizations, Community Building, Coalitions, and Innovative Programs

BACKGROUND:
Most adults realize that immunization plays an important role in infant and child health. However, developing effective methods to educate adults about their need to be immunized has proven to be a challenge for many communities. Because pneumonia is a common complication of the flu, getting both a flu and pneumonia shot is good preventative medicine. Virginia Health Statistics report that Hopewell Virginia’s pneumonia and influenza rate/100,000 was 31.3 in the Year 2000; 10 points higher than the overall state rate (21.3).

OBJECTIVE:
To empower the Hopewell community to: 1) raise awareness about the need and importance of adult immunization; 2) increase the immunization rate of older adults; 3) maximize community resources used to promote adult immunizations; and 4) reduce the number of vaccine-preventable diseases and deaths among adults.


METHOD:
On Election Day 2002, community volunteers assembled at the 7 polling sites in Hopewell to distribute awareness materials on adult immunization and direct voters to a flu/pneumonia clinic at the Community Recreation Center.

RESULT:
On Election Day 2002, 70 volunteers from the community and local health departments participated in Vaccinate and Vote. Collectively, 1500 brochures were distributed among Hopewell voters to increase adult immunization awareness. Additionally, 350 flu shots were given during the 5-hour shot clinic. Future data analysis will report the age range of the individuals who received flu shots to indicate if we successfully reached our target population.

CONCLUSION:
Utilizing a community-based partnership to direct community-focused awareness activities to promote adult immunizations can galvanize and mobilize non-traditional partners to participate in public awareness and community outreach programs. This program will serve as a pilot to be used as a state model in years to come.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Attendees will become knowledgeable about: 1) innovative strategies to promote adult immunization; and 2) how to involve community partners to promote adult immunizations