Maryland Vote & Vax initiative: Students' and faculty pharmacists' planning and implementation of an immunization clinic on Election Day to improve public health

Influenza and its related illnesses account for approximately 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. More than $10 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses and $16 billion in lost potential earnings are also attributed to influenza or related illnesses each year. Pharmacists are authorized to immunize in all 50 states in the United States and therefore have the opportunity and responsibility to increase immunization rates through providing vaccination and education for the community. These efforts help to achieve one of the objectives of the U.S. Healthy People 2010's national health goal and further document pharmacists' role in public health. Through a collaboration of multiple individuals and stakeholders in the State of Maryland, including Prince George's County Health Department and its Medical Reserved Corps., students and faculty pharmacists from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy planned and implemented Maryland's first Vote & Vax program on Election Day 2010. A 13-step action plan and process were utilized to implement this influenza clinic at a community health center adjacent to a polling site. This pharmacist-led immunization clinic provided 153 vaccinations, with 42 individuals receiving an influenza vaccination for the first time. After the event, there were discussions on lessons learned, including challenges and opportunities, for future clinics. Through this public health program, students gained valuable experiences in leadership, program planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation for health promotion and disease prevention. The Maryland Vote & Vax initiative also received the Maryland Partnership for Prevention's Immunization Excellence Award in January 2011.