KEYWORD1:
Pediatrics, Flu, Mass Immunization Clinics

BACKGROUND:
A number of area pediatric practices and health departments are no longer administering or have cut back on the number of pediatric flu shots they are giving, making it difficult for children to receive flu immunization. This is especially a problem for healthy siblings of high risk children.

OBJECTIVE:
To provide flu immunization to the pediatric population.

METHOD:
Protocols were developed with the Chief of Pediatrics at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.
Letters were sent to all area pediatricians, family practitioners, and OB-GYNs informing them of the clinics. The clinics were also advertised on our Fight the Flu Hotline and our website.
Monthly clinics were conducted in the Atrium of the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. Biweekly clinics were conducted at the Inova Pediatric Lung Center. No appointments or physician referrals were needed. Parents and guardians were immunized at the same time if they wished. A total of nine clinics were conducted.
Nurses from our adult flu mass immunziation program who also had pediatric experience provided staffing for the clinics. Pediatric residents provided emergency back-up for the clinics in the hospital. The physician on duty at the Pediatric Lung Center provided backup at clinics in the office.

RESULT:
To date, half way through the program, we have immunized a total of 180 children and 102 adults. Twenty seven physician practices were represented. No adverse reactions were expereinced.

CONCLUSION:
The Pediatric Flu Shot program is a model that can meet the needs of the pediatric population.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
Describe a model to provide mass influenza immunizations to the pediatric population.