ABSTRACT
We describe COVID-19 immunization inquiries regarding children age 5-11 years received by NIP-INFO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) e-mail immunization inquiry service for health care professionals, at the launch of vaccination efforts for this age group, using descriptive qualitative analysis. From November 2 through November 30, 2021, NIP-INFO responded to 154 questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination for 5-11-year-old children. The most common questions related to formulation and dosage (39.6%), vaccination schedule (14.3%), CDC's educational materials for health care professionals (9.1%), and vaccine safety (8.4%); 16.2% of questions across all inquiry categories related to a vaccination error. We discuss CDC guidance related to the most common inquiries to inform further pediatric COVID-19 vaccination efforts, including future vaccination of younger pediatric age groups, which will be important to help to curb this pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , COVID-19/prevention & control , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Immunization Schedule , United States/epidemiology , VaccinationABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for public health nursing as an integral part of a strong public health workforce. However, it has also created challenges in preparing future nurses as much of nursing instruction, including clinical experiences, needed to urgently transition learning to a virtual environment. This paper describes the process faculty experienced during spring 2020 to quickly transition public health nursing clinicals from in-person to virtual learning in response to COVID-19. Further, faculty lessons learned are shared and include the importance of creating a supportive team dynamic, embracing innovation, continuing to engage with community partners, and adapting to meet emerging student needs during the evolving pandemic. The process and lessons learned may act as a guide for other nursing programs as we continue to navigate nursing education during this and future pandemics.