Facts:

• Durham County Emergency Medical Services and Durham County Department of Public Health have partnered for a homeless immunization project to boost access to influenza vaccinations for homeless individuals in Durham.
• The departments partnered for their first flu vaccines clinic on November 6th at Open Table Ministry, a non-profit located in Durham missioned to help those in need with long-term health and wholeness.
• A total of 28 vaccines were administered on the first day of the clinic.
• Through Durham County EMS’ efforts of partnering with internal and external stakeholders to improve the health care needs of the community, special attention has been honed in on the underserved and unsheltered population in Durham.
• First responders, particularly those providing emergency medical services, have regular contact with the homeless population often and are uniquely positioned to provide their care services.
• Pursuing the homeless immunization project aligns with EMS and Public Health’s overarching goal to positively impact the health of the community and reduce the number of emergency medical services encounters and hospital visits.
• The Durham County EMS System Medical Director, Durham County paramedics and public health nurses will be equipped to provide vaccines at each clinic targeted to reach individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty in Durham.
• For more information about the upcoming flu clinics, email kunderhill@dconc.gov.

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