Ariana Salaiz
WCAAP Program Manager
To supplement and compliment reminder and recall immunization efforts, through the WA-CHIP learning collaborative, the Federal Way Sea Mar Community Health Center held a dedicated Saturday well-child and vaccine clinic in August and will be hosting another in September. Their goal in providing access to the surrounding King County community is especially tailored towards the immigrant population.
Sea Mar Federal Way has noticed that vaccination records in the immigrant community are mainly recorded on paper and they are not always up-to-date and often hard to read. To validate what vaccines are needed in absence of complete or clear records, they must perform titers and a follow-up appointment is required to immunize. Sea Mar Federal Way observed that many times families had difficulty scheduling or completing needed follow-up vaccine appointments given the burden of weekday appointments conflicting with work schedules, complicating commutes or transportation, and/or housing situations. They hope that by providing Saturday clinic access, they will be able to effectively deliver necessary vaccinations to patients who otherwise may not be able to make their appointments during regular weekday hours.
In early August, Sea Mar successfully contacted 150 patients who were due or overdue for vaccines and offered Saturday access to families who needed it. 34 families of these families came in during regular hours and caught up on vaccines and an additional 19 patients were provided well-child care and immunizations in a dedicated Saturday vaccine clinic on August 15th from just 10 am to 2 pm, supported by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, two Medical Assistants, one Medical Assistant Supervisor, and front office staff. The front office staff were able to register unestablished patients and resolve insurance coverage issues for three families.
In addition to providing the preventative care services for patients in the way of Well Child Checks and immunizations, all of the patients that were seen on that day received a back to school package consisting of a backpack and school supplies.
The two Saturday vaccine clinics at Federal Way Sea Mar are funded through a partnership with Amerigroup. This resource was introduced through an Amerigroup representative on our WA-CHIP Steering Committee.
Resources for your clinic!
Webinar: Planning for a Drive-Thru or Pop-Up Flu Clinic amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
September 10, 2020 – 7:00-8:00AM
Presenter: Dr. Jeanne Marconi will join us to discuss the planning and implementation of drive-thru or pop-up flu clinics. This year we need to administer these vaccines as safely and as expeditiously as possible. Her busy pediatric practice in Norwalk, CT has provided drive-thru vaccine clinics for over 18 years. We invite anyone in your office that is involved in the planning and vaccine coordination process to attend.
Moderator: John Dunn, MD, MPH, FAAP – Chair, WCAAP Vaccine Committee
To join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83783929065
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Meeting ID: 837 8392 9065
Amerigroup support available
Amerigroup Washington supports clinics within their network doing innovative work to improve health. They are interested in learning about programs you are pursuing to increase vaccination rates. This includes initiatives like Saturday clinics, drive-through or pop-up flu vaccine clinics and more. If your clinic is working on programs to increase rates, please contact David Escame, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations.