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How Public Health Centers in Suffolk County, NY Strove to Leave No Vaccine Behind. Mary Beth Koslap-Petraco, MS, CPNP Brian L. Harper, MD, MPH Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Background. Supply issues have affected influenza immunization delivery
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How Public Health Centers in Suffolk County, NY Strove to Leave No Vaccine Behind Mary Beth Koslap-Petraco, MS, CPNP Brian L. Harper, MD, MPH Suffolk County Department of Health Services
Background • Supply issues have affected influenza immunization delivery • Providers vaccinated from September through November • Many high-risk individuals were vaccinated • Many went without vaccination • Vaccine unavailable
Background • Influenza season generally runs from September to June in northern hemisphere • Peak season for influenza illness is generally February • Many variations • December in one year • Second peak may appear in May
Background • Focus had been on immunization during early fall • Late arriving vaccine went unused • SCDHS developed and implemented a plan to utilize as much vaccine as possible • Vaccinate until vaccine runs out • Vaccinate until vaccine expires in June
Background • SCDHS uses standing orders • Nurses take proactive role • Nurses must “buy in” for immunization program to be successful • Every patients was potential recipient of influenza vaccine
Objectives • Identify strategies to encourage health care providers to provide influenza immunizations during entire immunization season • Identify methods to fully utilize influenza vaccine regardless of vaccine delivery time
Methods • Data collected to determine number of doses of vaccine utilized on monthly basis • Measure against total number of doses secured for division of Patient Care Services in SCDHS
Results • Influenza immunizations are provided beyond usual fall immunization season • Improved utilization of vaccine • Less waste of vaccine
Conclusions • Providing influenza vaccine well after the usually accepted immunization period results in less wasted vaccine and more individuals immunized • Full utilization of doses encourages increased vaccine production in succeeding years • Longer vaccination period promotes concept of year round program • Potential preparation in event of pandemic influenza