Influenza Vaccination Challenges for Hospital Employees in the COVID Era: Experience of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

BACKGROUND: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends all healthcare personnel receive an annual influenza vaccination. Many challenges exist in achieving this goal, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as, employees working remotely and social distancing rules. In prior years we executed fixed-internal point of distribution (POD) vaccination events. Last year we implemented a highly successful fixed-external Drive-Thru POD. Drive-Thru PODs can be safe and effective approaches to employee vaccination during a pandemic. METHODS: A 90-minute drive-thru Flu POD was accomplished from 7am-8:30am at the main employee Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center entrance. Social distancing, masking was enforced. VA-Police directed traffic at the checkpoint into two lanes; flu shot, and non-flu shot lanes. Employees were directed to drive to one of ten tables each staffed with two nurses; Employees received their vaccination while remaining in their vehicle. Employee safety was of paramount concern; weather conditions, rain date, traffic control, location were all predetermined. Coordinating services included: VA-Police, Emergency Management, VA-Fire Department, Public Affairs, Logistics, Nursing, Pharmacy, Environmental Management, and Information Technology for promoting this event. RESULTS: On October 7th 385 employees received the flu vaccine compared to 290 in 2019. The event yielded a rate of 427 doses administered per 100 minutes compared to 322 in 2019, and only 15 per 100 minutes during internal flu POD 2018-19. This well-planned event was convenient, safe, and efficient without unintended consequences. The employees appreciated the ease, accommodation, and safety provided during this event. CONCLUSIONS: Our drive-thru POD event during COVID-19 was even more successful than the year's prior. Its improved time/vaccine ratio for employee flu vaccine administration and effective project management resulted in a well-organized, streamlined process and higher employee satisfaction. This innovative strategy can be utilized as an emergency-response vaccination plan especially during a pandemic, and the basis for planning a COVID-19 vaccine distribution model.