1. The MINI Project Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative
Patricia L. Peterson MPA
Fairview Health Services
Minneapolis, Minnesota

2. The MINI Project Purpose
To increase influenza immunization rates among minority and uninsured populations in the greater Twin Cities area by utilizing the trust of faith-based and grass-roots community organizations

3. AND – MINI Purpose
Establish a community based framework for pandemic response

4. Why the MINI Project? Health Disparities
Pneumococcal example: 70% White population immunized; 22.5% African American
Minnesota State
Department of Health

5. Why the MINI Project? Infrastructure Missing AMA:
Reason immunizations rates low for adults is effective adult infrastructure is lacking
“Improving Immunization: Addressing Racial and Ethnic Populations”, AMA, 12/04

6. Why? Barriers…. Lack of insurance Mistrust of medical profession
Fear of government
Transportation
Appointments

7. MINI Populations Served
Latino, African American, Native American, Burmese, Sikh, Tibetan, Asian: Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese; African: Somali, Ethiopian, Liberian: European

8. MINI meets seven quality standards of National Vaccine Advisory Committee
Culturally appropriate materials
Vaccine storage between 35F & 46F
Immunization history
Contraindications
Recordkeeping
Vaccine Administration
Adverse Events

9. Principles in Play Local trusted organizations
will “call the meeting” and host the clinic

10. Principles…. FBO’s/CBO’s issue the invitation for MINI to come
Immunizations will be given at no cost; no one turned away
All persons will sign a consent form and be given a copy of the HIPPA agreement, Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)

11. Promotion of Clinics
Flyers posted at the site; other community settings – grocery store, community centers etc.
“Find a Flu Shot” website sponsored by the MN Department of Health
Verbal announcements by faith community leaders
Radio, television, newspapers

12. Why it Worked Trust – The X Factor
Community & Faith Based Organizations (CFBO’s)– churches, mosques, synagogues, centers are trusted entities, safe places.
Community and faith based leaders are trusted messengers
CFBO’s already deliver information and services to its specific group and larger community as part of their mission
Trusted messengers…..If the priest or pastor says so, it’s true

13. Challenges of H1N1 –Distribution/Availability
Responses varied with populations-(information from our partners)
Muslims thought it involved pork(i.e. Swine Flu); also fear of autism
African Americans feared government- “will be a way to get rid of us”; track them, make them sick, walk backwards
Others mistrusted the name H1N1- did not know other strains had similar ID

14. The MINI Results 21,000 served in four seasons Injectable/FluMist
56 different sites
40% first shot first two years
65% adults – 18 +
15% 9-18 years
20% 3-9 years

15. A Replication Model Find Funding/Resource Intermediary Organizer
Leverage Existing Networks
Intermediary Organizer
Secure Sites
Support Delivery/Needs
This is one model – others exists. In the MINI model an intermediary organization, the Consortium, found funding, invited organizations to participate and continued to pursue procurement of funding and vaccine. In this model the inter. Org. is deliberately not in the middle. This could be a wheel…the intermediary organization is not the hub but rather on the outside, helping the project to get rolling. Each of these organizations know what they need to do far better than I do. They have the expertise that is recognized and respected. The MINI project helped them fulfill their own mission to meet the needs of their respective communities. At the same time, they joined in the MINI project to fulfill a shared mission of providing this service.

16. Needed for Replication
Project Director – point person - $$$
Health Care Partner/s with doctor’s orders
Healthcare professionals (schedule staff)
Vaccine, syringes, supplies, paperwork
Community Partners – site selection, coordination, publicity, interpreters

17. Bottom Line – the Cost Year One 2006-2007 season
Vaccine donated: $85,000
Nurse time donated: $20,000 +
Project Director in kind: $26,000
Cash available through grants :
$45,000 – 5,000 immunizations given
@ $9.00 each

18. Lessons Learned
Relationships are the foundation for successful collaboration
Trust is earned; can be fragile
Providing immunizations at no cost is a huge incentive for people to come
Numbers increase each successive year at each site
People want shots early – vaccine donations come late

19. Pat Peterson ppeters1@fairview.org
Thank You!
Pat Peterson