Public Health Practices

In response to Cities Readiness Initiative requirements, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE), in conjunction with Kansas City metro partners, developed an online screening and voucher system for Points of Dispensing (PODs). The system enables one client to move through a POD in 35 seconds, reduces responder time and effort, and engages the public more fully in emergency preparedness.

Public perception on influenza risk and vaccine may change from year to year, making it difficult for local health agencies to anticipate need and uptake during an influenza pandemic. The San Francisco Bay Area Advanced Practice Center developed a toolkit to help health agencies conduct annual community assessments related to flu vaccine beliefs and behaviors.

In response to misinformation circulating about the H1N1 virus and vaccine, the Florida Department of Health developed a targeted process to monitor news and opinion, while making these information sources the basis of daily recommendations. Incident command leadership found that the usability and timeliness of this process for synthesizing media reports informed their communication strategies and messages.

Concerned about the inability of large numbers of uninsured people to access care early in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, an Oregon regional preparedness organization partnered with public health, care providers, and community organizations to create a flu-related care delivery system exclusively for uninsured and low-income people.

Oregon’s "Taking H1N1 Vaccination to Vulnerable Populations" pilot project utilized nontraditional vaccinators, specifically paramedics affiliated with local ambulance services, as a strategy to improve influenza vaccination rates among homebound seniors and people with disabilities. Collaboration between local health departments, community-based organizations, and emergency medical service agencies provided flu vaccine to homebound individuals during a five-county pilot project in Oregon.

Arizona state education and health officials collaborated with school districts and local health departments to develop an 8-week language arts and math curriculum for students in grades K-12 to use during prolonged school closures.

Planning and staffing just-in-time vaccination clinics during an emergency presents considerable logistical challenges. In Michigan, the Oakland County Health Division adapted a common online document management tool to deploy well-informed staff to points of greatest need – and keep expenses down – during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Employees with limited or no English skills who work with swine or birds in rural agricultural areas may have little knowledge about influenza if they lack access to in-language educational programs. The Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance developed a train-the-trainer program to address such a need. Training materials cover practical, basic knowledge about influenza detection, prevention, and control in people, birds, and swine.

Georgia's East Metro Health District (EMHD) – serving Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Counties – developed creative strategies to address H1N1 vaccine shortages and better serve their community of approximately 1 million people.