BACKGROUND:
In February of 2000, in response to low adult immunization rates, Kalamazoo County Local Public Health (KCLPH), invited health care providers and community organizations serving the elderly to unite to increase adult immunizations. The resulting collaboration has developed a unified response to increasing adult immunizations and reaches all the major providers of influenza vaccine.

OBJECTIVE:
To increase accessibility to influenza, pneumonia and tetanus vaccines for adults over 55 years of age.

METHOD:
· Task Force public information campaign on importance of influenza and pneumonia vaccines including: billboards in areas with lowest immunizations rates; targeted mailing to homes with persons over 65 years of age; posters distributed to medical providers and senior congregation sites. All paid for by task force organizations.
· In response to limited supply in 2004 we held mass flu clinics on the same date, used identical screening tools, pricing and shared resources.
· Electronic dissemination of information to task force members as needed.

RESULT:
· For 2004 collaborative mass med clinics at 2 sites, 4,721 persons vaccinated, of those 70% >65 years, 23% persons 2-46 years old with chronic illness, 5% children 6-23 months of age, 1% pregnant, 1% healthcare workers.
· Since 2000 all influenza providers use identical screening tools and begin vaccination to low risk persons on same date.
· Secondary focus has become unified emergency preparedness response.

CONCLUSION:
Increased access and strengthened community collaboration between LPH and private vaccine providers.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will understand the benefit of a unified community response between local public health and community organizations and health care providers in increasing adult immunization rates.