Flu Clinics at CDPH

One of the big projects we work on at The Cleveland Department of Public Health are the various flu clinics they hold around the city.  Fall is a crucial time for vaccinating people and it keeps us pretty busy.  These immunization clinics provide an interesting break from our normal work with patients in the Reproductive Health Clinic.
CDPH has some very complicated rules and logistics surrounding their stock of vaccine.  It used to be that all vaccine came from the Ohio Department of Health and it was free to everyone no matter if they had insurance or not.  This year they have adopted a system where if a patient has insurance we are able to bill their insurance to reimburse the department for the vaccine.  ODH stock is still available for those without insurance.  In this way, the department is able to reclaim some funds that can go back to providing vaccines to the uninsured.  Though this is a great system, it is much more logistically complicated for us.  When a patient comes in we have to ask if they have insurance or not.  This is simply to determine which form we need them to fill out, but some people can get very nervous and upset thinking that we're not going to give them vaccine if they don't have insurance. Once we reassure the patient that everyone will get a flu shot regardless of ability to pay, we have to figure out what stock to get the vaccine from.  Either they get the ODH stock (Ped or Adult) or the private stock that also comes in special high dose for patients over 65.  In addition we have the FluMist.  So once we have all there paper work figured out we are able to give them their shot.  That whole process can take about 15 minutes, but then the shot takes only 30 seconds which I find kind of funny.
The best part of flu clinic is interacting with so many different people in a day.  We did one clinic at a rec center and saw close to 200 people.  Last week some staff were sick and it was just me and the RN.  The RN covered paperwork and I did all 50 shots that day which was pretty cool. Its also nice to interact with healthy patients.  So often in the hospital I'm used to working with sick patients so its nice to see healthy people as well.
My absolute favorite part of flu clinic is the children who come in.  My friends ask me how I can handle giving shots to kids but honestly it doesn't bother me.  Sure, they're upset for a few minutes but its a whole lot better than getting the flu which can be really dangerous.  Also, I find it a really rewarding and interesting challenge to reassure the child and give the shot quickly and confidently to minimize pain. I used to only do older children who wouldn't squirm but I've now built up my skills to be able to do 3 and 4 year olds which is pretty cool.
These flu clinics have been a really rewarding experience, as its Public Health at its best: prevention of disease for a large number of people who otherwise might not have access to this service.