YAMMRS: A community-wide response to the H1N1 pandemic

In fall 2009, many communities across the United States were faced with the unprecedented need to respond to the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic. Without an existing government-led public health infrastructure, health care institutions, community-based organizations, emergency management agencies, and school districts in two southcentral Pennsylvania counties realized the need to collaborate and coordinate their approach to vaccinating CDC-defined priority populations. As the York/Adams Metropolitan Medical Response System (YAMMRS) and with input from school administrators, two separate initiatives were implemented – a school-based program for students and community clinics for preschool children, adults with chronic disease conditions, and other priority groups. YAMMRS organized into five committees, each with distinct responsibilities for the initiative. The responsibilities, logistical challenges and program adaptations that each group encountered will be discussed. More than 1100 clinical and non-clinical volunteers were recruited to assist with the campaign through a unique website and credentials were verified; 47% actively volunteered at one or more site. Easy-to-understand fact sheets, consent forms and other materials were distributed by all public, private and parochial schools across the two-county region. Approximately 52,500 H1N1 vaccine doses were administered during school hours in 142 school buildings and on 2 college campuses during the campaign. An additional 3100 doses were administered at a series of community clinics held in each county. The YAMMRS H1N1 vaccination initiative demonstrated the ability of diverse sectors to collaborate in addressing a significant community issue while also developing an excellent model that may easily be replicated for future public health needs.