Bioterrorism Just-in-Time Training (JITT) materials for Point of Dispensing (POD) prophylaxis deployment: Lessons learned from H1N1 vaccination PODs

During the 2009-2010 global response to the H1N1 Influenza pandemic, deployment of Mass Prophylaxis POD sites allowed Local Health Departments to test capabilities and plans sculpted for such occasions. The lessons learned by the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) were executed and tested the following year during the seasonal influenza clinics and subsequently the dispensing of Pertussis booster and H1N1 vaccines. The PPHD evaluated data and determined lessons learned during the H1N1 pandemic to implement corrective action related to training and improve the mass prophylaxis process. This corrective action yielded positive results, as indicated by assessing the knowledge of POD staff who received the pre-operative JITT. This refined training addressed issues that had arisen during the previous year and therefore emphasized the Incident Command System (ICS) and Chain of Command, expectations for communication, clearly identified job responsibilities, and thoroughly examining client medical history via incident-specific screening algorithms and other supportive materials, including a Frequently Asked Questions sheet. Furthermore, the POD distributed vaccines of four differing formulations, requiring the training tools to be fully supportive of the prophylaxis process.

To maximize lessons learned, the changes were adapted to the existing antibiotic prophylaxis POD training tools. These materials also include screening algorithms, dosing matrices, and key ICS principles. Ultimately, the training tools are aimed to reduce the complications that are inherent to use of multiple types and doses of antibiotics when responding to a biological attack.