Project Description:
Purpose: The purpose of the Aging and Disability Vaccine Collaborative (ADVC), funded by USAging, is to support vaccination education and promotion activities (e.g., community vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations, transportation to vaccination sites, and mobile clinics) and to promote vaccine and wellness outreach and education for older adults and people with disabilities. This project focuses on the Flu, COVID-19, Pneumococcal, RSV, Shingles, and Tdap vaccines. In Montana, project partners include: • Montana University System (MUS): University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (UM RIIC), MonTech Assistive Technology Program, UM Skaggs School of Pharmacy, UM School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, and Montana State University College of Nursing. • Montana Centers for Independent Living: Summit Independent Living, Ability Montana, and Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT).* *LIFTT is funded separately from the collaborative project proposed by the other Montana partners; however, USAging is supporting all funded organizations to share strategies and information. Goal: Support Montana immunization providers and community partners to increase vaccine reach to older adults and people with disabilities To reach this goal, we need to know what immunization services are happening in your communities and how we can help older adults and people with disabilities access those services. If there are vaccine clinics that need partner support to extend the reach of immunization services in your communities, we would like to know about these potential opportunities and how we can support you. ADVC partners can help local and tribal health departments, local pharmacies, and community organizations to meet vaccine-related needs of older adults and people with disabilities by: • Supporting rides to vaccine clinics and vaccine clinic drive-up options; • Promoting vaccinations directly to older adults and people with disabilities and assisting individuals to schedule appointments and access vaccinations; • Offering assistive technology equipment, staff training, and support to include ASL interpreter and CART services as a part of education and vaccinations; • Facilitating planning with home care, aging, and disability service provider agencies about ways to reach the people they serve, e.g., with in-home vaccinations; and • Assigning partner employees and volunteers to community vaccine clinics to help with tasks such as clinic set up, intake, and referrals to other needed services. This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)) through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by USAging, ACL/ HHS. UM Skaggs School of Pharmacy faculty and students are available to travel as an immunization provider to provide vaccines within the community (community-based vaccine clinics, home deliveries) and within settings such as work sites, group homes, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. Vaccine recipients will need to provide their insurance card or work with the team to identify a payment source for vaccines. Please contact us to learn more.
Keyword(s):
Aging, disability, vaccines, accessible vaccines, pharmacy, covid, flu
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services, Demonstration Services
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups
