BACKGROUND:
Healthcare providers must be prepared to provide mass immunizations during a public health emergency or mass casualty event. During an emergency event various providers may be called upon to administer vaccinations in mass quantities and coordination among providers is critical to effective emergency management. The role of providers may extend beyond their current service offerings and they must be knowledgeable of their role to perform efficiently and effectively during an emergency.

OBJECTIVE:
To examine the preparedness of healthcare providers to offer mass immunization services and to explore the role of urgent care centers as mass immunization providers during mass casualty events.

METHOD:
Data were reviewed from various statewide emergency preparedness assessments regarding the presence of policies and procedures and general preparedness relating to immunizations during mass casualty events. Subsequently directors from urgent care centers were interviewed with regard to their role as mass immunizers during mass casualty events.

RESULT:
Few providers have included mass immunization in their disaster preparedness plans or track the immunization status of their employees. Urgent care providers are well-equipped to serve the role of mass immunizers during a mass casualty event. These providers are largely viewed by their community as the source for episodic and emergency care. They are accustomed to quickly treating patients for unpredictable illnesses and injuries through utilization of standard policies and procedures. Staff is efficient at triaging patients and coordinating care among many providers through referrals within their community.

CONCLUSION:
Urgent care centers are well suited to serve the role of mass immunizers in the event of a mass casualty event. Adequate planning, preparation and training are necessary among these providers to ensure they are prepared to fulfill this role during a mass casualty event.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the role of urgent care centers as mass immunization providers during mass casualty events.