Self-immunization with live attenuated influenza vaccine in a mass vaccination clinic

An influenza pandemic may demand that a large number of influenza immunizations be rapidly given with limited resources. This study tested the utility and practicality of self-immunization with live attenuated influenza intranasal vaccine in a mass vaccination event.

The self-immunization clinic model was evaluated in a three-tiered fashion using student, first responder, and open community events.

A single nurse was easily able to direct 89 people through the process of self-administration of the vaccine in a three-hour first-responder event and 122 people in a three-hour open community event. 96% of participants believed that they had performed the self-administration correctly, and the same percentage reported that they would like to receive influenza immunization by self-vaccination in the future.

The self-immunization clinic is a practical and potentially useful model in an influenza pandemic setting.