Influenza Vaccination Challenges for Hospital Employees in the COVID Era: Experience of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Bailey, Lisa C.; Papamanoli, Aikaterini; Thorne, Monique; Barrett, Nancy R.; Ford, Florence M.; Elizabeth, Werns; Psevdos, George

Background The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends all healthcare personnel receive an annual influenza vaccination. Many challenges exist in achieving this goal, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as, employees working remotely and social distancing rules. In prior years we executed fixed-internal point of distribution (POD) vaccination events. Last year we implemented a highly successful fixed-external Drive-Thru POD. Drive-Thru PODs can be safe and effective approaches to employee vaccination during a pandemic. Methods A 90-minute drive-thru Flu POD was accomplished from 7am-8:30am at the main employee Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center entrance. Social distancing, masking was enforced. VA-Police directed traffic at the checkpoint into two lanes; flu shot, and non-flu shot lanes. Employees were directed to drive to one of ten tables each staffed with two nurses; Employees received their vaccination while remaining in their vehicle. Employee safety was of paramount concern; weather conditions, rain date, traffic control, location were all predetermined. Coordinating services included: VA-Police, Emergency Management, VA-Fire Department, Public Affairs, Logistics, Nursing, Pharmacy, Environmental Management, and Information Technology for promoting this event. Results On October 7th 385 employees received the flu vaccine compared to 290 in 2019. The event yielded a rate of 427 doses administered per 100 minutes compared to 322 in 2019, and only 15 per 100 minutes during internal flu POD 2018-19. This well-planned event was convenient, safe, and efficient without unintended consequences. The employees appreciated the ease, accommodation, and safety provided during this event. Conclusions Our drive-thru POD event during COVID-19 was even more successful than the year's prior. Its improved time/vaccine ratio for employee flu vaccine administration and effective project management resulted in a well-organized, streamlined process and higher employee satisfaction. This innovative strategy can be utilized as an emergency-response vaccination plan especially during a pandemic, and the basis for planning a COVID-19 vaccine distribution model.