Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation participants will be able to:
• Understand additional program functions that may be necessary during a mass-sheltering event
• Recognize and understand normal program functions that must go on during a major event
• Review and evaluate lessons learned from a program during a mass-sheltering event



Background:
On August 31, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit coastal Louisiana. In preparing for, and dealing with the storm, over 1,000,000 people in the Region evacuated. Given the devastation and flooding, over 60,000 of those at any given time were in shelters run by both private and government entities. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health (DHH/OPH) Immunization Program prepared for, and participated in many essential and emergency functions following the disaster.


Setting:
The State of Louisiana.


Population:
Louisiana residents and emergency workers impacted by Hurricane's Katrina and Rita.


Project Description:
Following Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana DHH/OPH Immunization Program mobilized to provide Immunization services to the State. Along with needing to continue essential program services to the rest of the state, such as Vaccines for Children, the program had to deal with many other issues. Some of those issues included receipt and wide distribution of Strategic National Stockpile assets, preparing for and participating strike vaccination teams in shelters, creating and distributing immunization information and education materials through multiple means, handling immunization records for both in-state and out-of-state displaced residents, all the while coping with reduced, displaced, and staff in personal crisis.



Results/Lessons Learned:
In dealing with our Nations worst natural disaster, the Louisiana DHH/OPH Immunization Program dealt with many challenges. Along with maintenance of essential functions, many new roles and responsibilities were necessary to ensure protection of our citizens. Evaluating and learning from this experience will hopefully help others deal with a mass-evacuation and sheltering event.