A community outreach influenza vaccination drive as a model for mass disaster prophylaxis

Authors

  • Joshua Lawrenz, BS
  • Joseph Puetz, MS
  • Stephanie Kuschel, BS
  • John Rudzinski, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2013.0136

Keywords:

Influenza, vaccination, disaster, students, volunteerism

Abstract

In October 2012, more than 120 student and faculty volunteers from six different health professional schools (medical, pharmacy, and nursing) vaccinated 430 individuals against influenza at five point of distribution sites in Winnebago County, IL, at no cost to the recipients. In total, 18 organizations, including faith-based and nonprofit groups, organized this vaccination drive, targeting an at-risk population of homeless and impoverished individuals. Preclinical students were provided just-in-time training in vaccine administration and Incident Command System methodology. This community-wide collaborative effort uniquely demonstrates the effectiveness of student volunteerism in emergency preparedness, as well as providing a model for mass prophylaxis in a disaster scenario.

Author Biographies

Joshua Lawrenz, BS

Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois.

Joseph Puetz, MS

Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois.

Stephanie Kuschel, BS

EMT, RHCC, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Region 1 RHCC/Disaster Hospital, Rockford Health System, Rockford, Illinois.

John Rudzinski, MD

Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, Illinois; Medical Director, Region 1 RHCC/Disaster Hospital, Rockford Health System, Rockford, Illinois.

References

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Incident Command System: FEMA Web site. Available at http://www.fema.gov/incident-command-system.Accessed June 1, 2012.

Illinois Helps: Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council. Available at http://www.mchc.com/EWEB/Dynamicpage.aspx?webcode_mylibraryarticle_m-p&wps_key_a222d0a8-df18-4353-854d-89752d5b1f9e&post_year_2007&post_month_name_Jul. Accessed June 1, 2012.

Published

09/01/2013

How to Cite

Lawrenz, BS, J., J. Puetz, MS, S. Kuschel, BS, and J. Rudzinski, MD. “A Community Outreach Influenza Vaccination Drive As a Model for Mass Disaster Prophylaxis”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 8, no. 4, Sept. 2013, pp. 287-92, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2013.0136.

Issue

Section

Case Studies