10 suggestions for more efficient vaccine rollout

Based on my experiences working in the mass vaccine centre as a vaccinator and recovery physician, I have some suggestions for a more efficient and safer vaccine roll-out. Most suggestions apply to the future; but some still apply for right now. Physician clinics and pharmacies wishing and qualified to participate should be be registered, setup and trained to dispense vaccines. All patients go to a single Canadian online portal and register for a vaccine. Hire a qualified company like Google to build the portal. (Consider collecting census data at the same time.) Those households who have not made any attempt to register can be informed of benefits of vaccination and offered registration. Patients update demographics and email address online. Patients answer online questionnaire re; immune suppressants, allergy history. Patients could ask their physician to help answer the questionnaire if necessary. Patients informed of how to prepare for vaccine appointment: must eat, hydrate,and wear loose sleeved clothing that can expose at least one deltoid region. Patients informed of what to expect after the vaccine: all fainters to come chaperoned and with driver; patients sign off that they have been made aware of symptoms and signs of presyncope. Software will automatically assign each patient with completed registration to appropriate vaccine centres, physicians' office, pharmacies, etc. Those with incomplete registrations will be reminded by email and receive phone assistance only if necessary. Youth should be vaccinated and wait the 15-30 minute recovery period while sitting on the ground as they are prone to passing out without asking for help. (That’s what they do in school vaccine programs.) They should not have to walk over to a separate recovery area after vaccination (I have seen several unnecessary head injuries resulting from vaccine syncope and tripping—which I suspect will prove to be a significant “side effect” of our vaccination roll-out.) I have noticed young men more likely to not ask for help and refuse to lie down when presyncopal. How to spot a fainter? A young person not using the smartphone; staring at the phone but fingers not moving; hoods or baseball caps that hide all evidence of pallor and diaphoresis. Design the workflow and traffic in each mass vaccine clinics to minimize unnecessary walking and path-crossing for patients and staff. (I may have some ideas how current setups at sites may be improved. Let me know if anyone is interest.) Patients pre and post vaccine be notified by email of any critical information updates: reminder emails, heatwave warning, second-dose schedule, etc. Carlos Yu is a physician in Ajax, Ont.

10 suggestions for more efficient vaccine rollout

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics