KEYWORD1:
Influenza, vaccination, community

BACKGROUND:
Influenza is responsible for over 20,000 deaths yearly and contributes to about 170,000 hospitalizations. Influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing deaths, hospitalizations and complications from influenza. The Community Influenza Program was initially conceived as a response to a community wide outbreak of influenza in 1999.

OBJECTIVE:
Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that influenza vaccination remains below optimal levels. Organizations are encouraged to initiate strategies to increase vaccinations. The objective of the program was to increase the level of influenza vaccinations in the community.

METHOD:
The Community Influenza Campaign was developed and coordinated by the Infection Control Department. The target population was people over eighteen. Candidates were given Vaccine Information Sheets and screened for contraindications on a brief demographic form.

Vaccine was obtained from the hospital pharmacy and administered free of charge by employees who volunteered their time.
Influenza vaccines were offered over several weeks at multiple locations, including a local suburban shopping mall, an urban farmer’s marker and the hospital lobbies. The program was advertised on the radio, in local newspapers and television.

RESULT:
Over the past three years the number of individuals vaccinated increased substantially.
1999 - 114 vaccinated
2000 - 674 vaccinated
2001 - 2240 vaccinated

CONCLUSION:
There has been a significant increase in the number of people vaccinated over the past three years. After reviewing the results of our community flu campaign the following actions were determined to be most effective. First, locations, which were highly populated and served the indigent, yielded the largest numbers. Second, offering weekend and evening hours improved accessibility for working adults.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
At the conclusion of the presentation the learner will be able to:
1) Identify the need for a community flu program
2) List steps involved in developing a successful program