BACKGROUND:
The Fort Wayne Allen County Mass Prophylaxis Protocol is part of an integrated, community-wide disaster protocol developed collaboratively with local hospitals and other community organizations. A draft of the mass prophylaxis portion of the disaster protocol has been in development and testing stages since 2002. After the protocol was drafted, a practical exercise was needed to identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan.
An opportunity for such an exercise was created as a result of the vaccine shortage of 2001 and 2002. Over 3,000 Allen County children were unable to receive recommended vaccines. Recalling this number of children through existing clinics alone would quickly become overwhelming. A community-wide intervention was necessary.

OBJECTIVE:
Conduct an observational study to identify gross weaknesses in the Mass Prophylaxis Protocol by using the vaccine deferral event.

METHOD:
Stakeholders from various agencies and community hospitals were recruited to assist with organization of the event. Multiple outlets were used to advertise the clinic. A training curriculum and schematics of clinic layout were developed based on the protocol. At the event, designated personnel observed clinic patrons and staff at each stage of operation to identify portions of the protocol needing improvement. Clinic patrons and staff completed evaluations following the event.

RESULT:
This exercise proved to be a valuable precursor to a larger clinic drill.

CONCLUSION:
The protocol in its pre-intervention form was generally feasible. However, areas of weakness identified confirmed the need for revisions and expansions currently being made and will serve to strengthen the plan. The importance of community collaboration for successfully carrying out unified public health missions was demonstrated throughout the entire process.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Demonstrate how the recent vaccine shortage created an opportunity to improve public health disaster preparedness.