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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Understand the benefits of the program's structure including joint public health/jail facilities and participation in a statewide immunization registry.
2. Identify optimal success factors for implementing a hepatitis B vaccination program including jail administration support and relationships with state health agencies.
Background:
Most offenders qualify as high risk through one or more behaviors and many have never received any hepatitis vaccinations. This program was based on the premise that offering routine vaccinations to the jail population had the potential to protect the health of the inmates and the communities to which they return.
Setting:
County correctional facility in a rural suburb of the Twin Cities metropolitan area
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Adult inmates
Project Description:
Carver County Public Health, the Carver County jail, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have collaborated to provide hepatitis B education and vaccination at their jail facility. During weekly sessions inmates are recruited to participate in group education sessions regarding hepatitis B/C transmission and vaccination options. The inmates may then opt to receive free vaccine for hepatitis B.
Results/Lessons Learned:
With support of jail administration and staff, the Hepatitis B program staff has vaccinated nearly 300 individuals in the 8 months since it began. This program utilizes the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection, a state vaccine registry system, to record vaccination information, which is available to other providers the inmate may engage after release, thereby increasing the likelihood of series completion. Due to length of stay, recidivism, and utilization of other vaccine providers such as STD and public health clinics, this program has been able to deliver many second and even third doses. More than 10% of persons served have completed the vaccine series. MDH provides technical support, materials, and all vaccinations utilized in this program.
See more of Poster Session #1
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference