The Flu Linkages to End Access Disparities (Flu LEAD) pilot project is a partnership between HUD, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care, and the Ambulatory Team of the COVID-19 Healthcare Resilience Working Group (HRWG). The project’s goal, which is no longer active, was to increase influenza vaccination coverage among residents of HUD-assisted communities and improve community health and resilience by fostering partnerships between HUD-assisted communities and local HRSA-funded health centers.
To improve vaccination rates, health center staff provided flu shots through curbside services, door-to door, mobile units, transportation, and virtual follow ups through telemedicine. They prioritized the elderly and disabled.
Overall, around 30% of the individuals vaccinated in the Flu-LEAD project became patients at the health center. The keys to the success of the program are communication within the health center and with local housing staff and residents using multiple methods of contact and promotion. Health centers also utilized student nurses to administer vaccine as well as CHWs to act as a liaison between the housing agency and residents and patients.
For more information on this partnership, go to Flu LEAD Webinar Series.