Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation, participants will understand the benefit of an immunization registry in mass vaccination clinics.
By the end of the presentation, participants will understand how immunization registry data is a tool for cost effectiveness measures in mass vaccination clinic settings.



Background:
A food handler in southern Arizona was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The food handler worked in a popular restaurant located in an urban community on a major Interstate highway and adjacent to the Mexico border. The restaurant is very popular with local residents and travelers, and their food is often shipped by patrons to family members throughout the U.S. To prevent a potential hepatitis A outbreak, the county health department administered immune globulin (IG) to 6,400+ individuals over a four day period. Two State Health Department public health nurses were asked to assist.


Setting:
A mass IG vaccination clinic in the Civic and Convention Center in a southwestern Arizona city.


Population:
Individuals of varying ages living in or traveling through the community who had eaten at or received food from the restaurant during a specific two week period.


Project Description:
A mass vaccination clinic was conducted at the Civic and Convention Center over a 4 day period. Approximately 6,400 individuals received IG. During the last 1½ days of the clinic, immunization records of potential recipients 2 through 12 years of age were looked up in the state immunization registry to determine hepatitis A vaccine status. Approximately 55 individuals were identified as having previously received one or more doses of hepatitis A vaccine and did not have to receive IG.


Results/Lessons Learned:
Access to, and use of immunization registry data, during a mass vaccination program saved immune globulin, money, and pain and discomfort for individuals.