Efforts to Enhance Flu Programs to Increase Vaccination Rates
Influenza season is here, and public health experts are concerned about the potential negative outcomes of a dual pandemic – influenza and COVID-19. Seasonal flu vaccinations are the best way to help protect against the flu, but there are concerns that barriers exist that may negatively impact this year’s flu vaccination rates, namely fears associated with COVID-19 exposure.
Throughout the fall and winter, CPCA will prioritize training and technical assistance to health centers to increase flu vaccination coverage among medically vulnerable patients and other high-risk groups served by community health centers. Our efforts will provide support for enhanced flu programs and alternative flu clinics with the goal of improving flu immunization rates. We hope to engage high performing health centers to share their wisdom and develop a network of peer resource sharing. The expertise acquired from this initiative will be used to develop guidance resources for clinics to eventually transition into large scale COVID-19 vaccination events, when a vaccine is released.
Since the pandemic started, we’ve heard from several health centers about their efforts to rise up alternative vaccination clinics. There are early lessons learned from clinics like Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC), who initiated an outdoor walk-up immunization clinic for well-child vaccinations. In a webinar to CPCA members, Dr. Elaine Joy Soriano, Regional Medical Director, shared about the importance of maintaining vaccination schedules to prevent vaccine preventable illness. She also described how GVHC is navigating the complexity of operationalizing hybrid visits and maximizing the use of telehealth for that which can be accomplished virtually. However, this new model requires extensive workforce training, patient education, and resources (like space, equipment, and extra staff).
On that same webinar, we heard how Petaluma Health Center modified their schedules and clinic layout to maximize time and space efficiently while minimizing person to person contact. Children and one accompanying adult are ushered directly to an exam room where they complete the in-person physical and receive any vaccinations.
Health centers that are eager to learn more about influenza vaccination strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic can consult the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which emphasizes that routine vaccination should not be delayed, and discusses strategies for safe vaccination. CDC’s Guidance for Planning Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-site Locations may also be helpful for providers who are considering alternate vaccination strategies such as drive-through or curbside immunization. Protecting vulnerable populations and reducing burdens from influenza during the pandemic will be especially important. Extensive influenza vaccination promotional materials are available now for download.
Health centers should also be on the lookout for CPCA materials, including webinars, podcasts, and toolkits. We will disseminate materials through CPCA’s Connected Communities platform and our Statewide Quality Improvement Committee and Primary Care Peer Network.
If your health center is piloting an innovative option for mass vaccinations this flu season, please let us know! Email Ekeoma Nwadibia at enwadibia@cpca.org.