Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
Understand the difference between “mass immunization” and “mass immunization clinic”.
Understand the technical and clinic flow issues related to a “Mass Immunization Clinic”
Apply lessons learned from the Katrina Mass Immunization Clinics to a state's disaster preparedness plan.


Background:
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, over 100 shelters were established to house tens of thousands of Louisiana evacuees throughout the state. These shelters ranged in population from a few dozen to over 5 thousand. Disease typically starts in these types of environments versus actually being in contact with contaminates water such as the case in the city of New Orleans. Key to combating the spread of disease was immediate immunizations of specific vaccines directly in the shelters. Being that there were multiple vaccines administered, this no a typical “mass immunization where one vaccine was the focus (eg: smallpox). This was effort was more of a “mass immunization clinic” where immunization status needed to be determined before administration. Due to this unique characteristic, the LA Office of Public Health chose to use of the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) as the primary tool to assess immunization status and collect the administered data. Many issues were addressed within a short frame ranging from technical solutions (many shelters didn't have internet access) to integration of LINKS into the clinic flow.


Setting:
Hurricane Katrina evacuees shelters


Population:
Specific Louisiana population that were displaced in the state of Louisiana due to the hurricane


Project Description:
Participants will see how these experiences and successes can be used to further their own state immunization registry efforts in terms of planning and provider recruitment.


Results/Lessons Learned:
Public health professionals will become more aware of the strategies employed and lessons learned during the use of LINKS during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina