Feasibility of incorporating collegiate EMS personnel in campus health vaccine administration efforts

Abstract

Background: In the face of COVID-19 and Influenza outbreaks which heavily impact the health of students, staff, and faculty on college campuses nationwide, maintaining the accessibility of vaccinations in university populations has emerged as recent challenge due to healthcare staffing shortages. Objective: In this pilot study, we evaluate the feasibility of collegiate Emergency Medical Service (EMS) involvement in vaccination efforts. Methods: Collegiate EMS personnel were trained to administer intramuscular injections and clinical oversight in campus vaccine clinics was maintained by Campus Health administration. Results: Collegiate EMS volunteers at the University of North Carolina provided staffing in a Campus Health vaccine clinic for a total of 55 days (91.67%) and represented, on average, 36.7% of the overall vaccine-administration staffing. During hours EMTs were present in the clinic, they represented on average, 84.0% staffing, during which time a total of 4013 vaccines were administered. Conclusions: Collegiate EMS personnel serving in a volunteer vaccination capacity may provide a unique avenue to achieve disease prevention goals on campuses nationally.

Keywords: COVID-19; emergency medical services; influenza; preventative medicine; vaccines.