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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Araceli Rey, RN, MPH¹, Mike Rowland, MD, MPH², Barbara Ginley, MPH², and Andrew Pelletier, MD, MPH¹. (1) Division of Infectious Diseases, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 286 Water Street, 8th floor, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, 207-287-4693, dyx8@cdc.gov, (2) Maine Migrant Health Program, P.O. Box 405, Augusta, ME 04332

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends administering the current season's influenza vaccine to poultry workers to reduce the possibility of co-infection with avian and human influenza viruses. We examined the feasibility of implementing this recommendation in Maine. Methods: After human subjects review and approval, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Migrant Health Program held free vaccination clinics in June 2006 at three poultry farms owned by the state's four largest egg producers. Workers were educated on differences between seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza. Influenza fact sheets were provided in English and Spanish. Workers who chose to receive influenza vaccine completed consent and health screening forms. Results: Of ~240 workers, 140 (57%) were vaccinated during the clinics. Of these 140, 39% were eligible to receive the influenza vaccine based on current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The median age of workers who were vaccinated was 40 years (range: 16–67 years); 73% were male and 60% were Hispanic. Nineteen percent worked at the farm intermittently; 81% worked year-round. Fifty-seven percent worked at the farm for more than three years. Fifty-two percent had a primary health-care provider; 42% had medical insurance. Discussion: The majority of vaccinated workers had permanent positions and had worked at the poultry farms for more than three years. Approximately half had a primary care provider; the majority was uninsured. Extra efforts, such as Maine's, will be required to achieve high influenza immunization coverage rates in this population.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss issues related to the protection of poultry workers involving pandemic preparedness.
• To describe barriers to vaccination of poultry workers with seasonal influenza vaccine.

Keywords: Immunizations, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation