Vaccination against influenza in the face of COVID-19: teaching-service integration for training in nursing and health

Abstract

Objective

to describe the experience of teaching-service integration during the first stage of the 22^nd Brazilian National Influenza Vaccination Campaign in the emergence of COVID-19.

Method

this is an experience report on the partnership of a nursing course from one of the higher education institutions in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, with Primary Health Care services in that campaign, from March to April 2020.

Results

this partnership mobilized several volunteers to implement 35 vaccination stations, including a drive-thru. In this first stage, 91,697 doses of the immunobiological agent were applied to older adults, from a total of 98,189, which corresponded to 83.3%, a value very close to the 90% vaccination coverage expected for this population group. With the partnership, the total number of doses applied to older adults at the end of the 22^nd campaign in the city exceeded the average of the last five years by 42.6%.

Conclusion and implications for practice

this percentage is attributed to the collective and multiprofessional work and the social commitment of the institutions involved with protection of health, preservation of life and strengthening of the Unified Health System.

Keywords:
Influenza vaccines; Nursing; Coronavirus infections; Primary health care; Higher education institutions