Strategy
The Mississippi State Department of Health sought to address vaccination barriers by identifying “vaccine deserts” and targeting populations in these locations for vaccine distribution.
Challenge
New strategies for COVID-19 vaccination uptake were needed after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Pediatricians faced numerous logistical challenges and administrative barriers during the pandemic, reducing their capacity to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to this newly eligible population. COVID-19 contraction in young children can result in medical issues, education disruption, and even loss of wages for parents, especially in minority groups. Mississippi created its own program to promote vaccine uptake to compensate for traditional pediatric vaccination limitations.
Solution
The Mississippi State Department of Health sought to address vaccination barriers by identifying “vaccine deserts” and targeting populations in these locations for vaccine distribution. The COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program (CCVP) utilized this strategy to prompt greater vaccine uptake. CCVP was successful because it targeted localized concentrations of disproportionately affected populations that had not yet received the vaccine, in part due to lack of easy access. Disproportionately affected populations included, but are not limited to, racial minorities, people with disabilities, under or uninsured, immigrants, and rural populations. CCVP also compensated providers for participating in the program with $75 per vaccination for non-traditional clinic overhead costs. To participate in CCVP, providers were required to conduct the following activities: 1) focus on communities with high COVID-19 case burden, vulnerability, or low vaccination rates, 2) partner with community organizations to connect to individuals in need, 3) support general vaccine equity and access strategies and removing access barriers, 4) administer vaccines outside of “normal” clinic operations, and 5) report all data to the state vaccination tracking system within 24 hours. Providers also needed to complete an online application to register for the program.
Outcome
CCVP was an efficient and effective program because it focused on bringing the COVID-19 vaccine to areas of high risk and low uptake where individuals had greater barriers to access clinical vaccination services. Providers compensation helped solicit participation and facilitate this alternate approach to vaccination.