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Increasing Vaccination Coverage Through Influenza and COVID-19 School-Located Vaccine Clinics

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Abstract
Background: Despite recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for annual influenza and updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older, coverage rates remain lower than desired among school-age children. A review of the literature identified school-located vaccine clinics (SLVCs) as an evidence-based intervention to address this health challenge. Using the social-ecological model of health, the purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to increase influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates among students in a Massachusetts’ public school district for the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season through implementation of SLVCs. Methods: Starting in September 2024, the school district’s local health department planned, advertised, and hosted SLVCs with support from the schools. Data from the SLVCs and overall vaccination rates were collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: 206 doses of influenza vaccine and 138 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered over four SLVCs. Clinic attendance surpassed expectations at the elementary and middle schools but was lower than anticipated at the high school. The vaccination rate did not change significantly at any of the schools between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Conclusions: The lack of change occurred in the context of declining influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates throughout Massachusetts. The addition of SLVCs was not enough to counter this trend in this school district. Student registration at future SLVCs may increase as familiarity with the program grows. Subsequent planning should focus on school administrator engagement and clinic promotion.
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Capstone Project (Open Access)
Date
2025-05
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Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
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