Influenza vaccination demonstration project - targeting underserved populations

Immunization is a key element in the prevention and control of influenza, yet overall adult immunization rates are well below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 90%. Over the past few years, Service Planning Area (SPA) 3 and 4 have significantly increased the number of influenza vaccines administered to residents by collaborating with community partners and engaging in community outreach. Last year alone, over 36,000 doses of influenza vaccine were administered to high risk groups that include seniors and individuals with chronic medical conditions. However, pregnant women and children have significantly lower influenza immunization rates and also are amongst the most vulnerable populations. Studies revealed that only 12% of pregnant women are being immunized and influenza rates among children between 6 and 23 months old to be only 48.4 %. The Influenza Vaccination Demonstration Project is an innovative project partnering the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (CLADPH) and the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program and targets pregnant women, women of child bearing age and their children. The goal of this project is to increase awareness about the importance of receiving an influenza vaccine and increase influenza vaccination rates among this population by 10%. This presentation will describe the utilization of the Public Health Nursing Practice Model in the WIC Influenza Vaccination Project to fulfill its objectives to improve influenza rates among our target population.