Observational StudyRapid Vaccination of Hard-To-Reach Populations

Inclusion Criteria:

The possible participant pool for this project is the adult population (over the age of 18) of 8 circumscribed neighborhoods in East Harlem and South Bronx in NYC. These neighborhoods have a total population of approximately 24,000 people (based on the 2000 US Census) and we anticipate that up to 4,000 may be among the eligible hard-to-reach populations that are the target of this proposal. We will identify eligible populations through a brief survey instrument. During the intervention phase of this study, persons who are eligible to receive influenza vaccination will be offered influenza vaccination. Eligibility criteria for influenza vaccination are the eligibility criteria established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines. These will be determined as part of the standard data collection instrument. Eligible persons include persons over the age of 65 and persons concurrent comorbidity including immunosuppression (HIV or active injection drug use), chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorder (including asthma), or chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus, renal or hepatic dysfunction).

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria include an allergy to vaccines, an allergy to eggs, inability to provide consent, currently under care of a physician and a plan to receive influenza vaccine in the near-future, or having already received the influenza vaccine during this year (CDC 1999).