The 2005 California Adult Immunization Summit – Executive Summary (2005 Summit Index)

The 2005 California Adult Immunization Summit was held on May 2, 2005 at the Marriott Hotel in San Diego, CA. The Summit was attended by over 140 professionals from all over California, as well as nationally recognized invited speakers. The main objectives of the Summit were to:

1. Promote collaboration and communication among diverse stakeholders (representing public health, medicine and community) involved in delivering adult immunizations.
2. Provide informative and interactive educational sessions offering new information and strategies for adult immunization stakeholders.
3. Summarize the past ‘flu season and review lessons learned.
4. Describe and discuss effective strategies to improve influenza immunization rates among health care workers who have direct patient contact in all health care facilities.
5. Improve awareness of and stimulate involvement in the California Adult Immunization Coalition (CAIC) activities by attendees and other adult immunization stakeholders.

The 2005 California Adult Immunization Summit Planning Committee consisted of representatives from the California Department of Health Services (California Diabetes Control Program, Immunization Branch, Center for Gerontology) California Medical Association, HealthNet Inc., Immunization Coalition of Los Angeles County, Immunize LA Kids, the Integrating Medicine and Public Health (IMAP) Program, Lumetra, San Diego Community Health Improvement Partnership, and the San Diego County Immunization Initiative (I-3).The 2005 Summit was chaired by Patricia G. Porter, RN MPH, CHES (Integrating Medicine and Public Health [IMAP] Program) and Ronald Bangasser, MD (Chair, CAIC and Past President of California Medical Association).

I. Characteristics of Registrants (n=150)

Geographic focus

33% Southern Califorina	5% Central Valley
22% Statewide	5% Regional
18% Local (county-based, facility-based etc.)	4% Other (national, etc.)
9% Northern California	4% Did not answer

Primary area of adult immunization focus

29% Public health	10% Policy
22% Education	4% Did not answer
19% Vaccine delivery
16% Other (IZ coordinator, employee health, surveillance, management etc.)

Title/Role of participants

26% Nurses	15% Physician
21% Administrator	6% Researcher
16% Healthcare provider (Non MD, Non RN)	1% Did not answer
15% Other (health educator, immunization coordinator etc.)

75% of Summit participants stated that their current efforts are specifically targeted at “high risk” adults or those who have limited access to health care.

II. Presentations and Speakers

The Summit was organized into morning and afternoon sessions. Dr. Ron Bangasser, CAIC Chairperson and past CMA President, kicked off the morning session with a summary of the mission, goals, and accomplishments of the CAIC. The Keynote address was entitled “Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization of Persons with Medicare: the CMS Perspective,” was presented by James Randolph Farris, MD, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, CMS Region VI. The Plenary Address, "Influenza Vaccine: Past, Present, and Future” was given by Dr. Raymond Strikas, MD, Director, Smallpox Preparedness and Response Activities, National Immunization Program, U.S. DHHS/CDC.

Morning Breakout Sessions

• Developing Strategies to Improve Immunization Practices in Long-term Care Facilities: The Role of Public Health
• The California Response to the 2004-2005 Influenza Season: A Snapshot of Medicine and Public Health Perspectives
• Pandemic Flu Preparedness
• Health Care Worker Immunization: Best Practices Across California

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

• New Federal and State Legislative and Policy Developments
• Pneumococcal Disease in Adults: Overview and Strategies for Prevention
• Immunization 2005: What’s New, What’s Coming, What’s in the Future
• Targeting our Efforts: California Immunization Surveillance

Breakout sessions were followed by lunch roundtable discussions, which were organized into topics; CAIC Steering Committee members and other adult immunization experts were assigned to each table as moderators. Roundtable topics included the following:

• Role of coalitions statewide, and in your community
• Improving immunization rates in “at risk” communities
• Improving immunization rates in long term care facilities
• Improving immunization rates in acute care facilities
• Improving immunization rates among health care workers
• Universal vaccination
• Building legislative advocacy
• FluMist
• Evaluating the impact of coalitions
• The CAIC and National Adult Immunization Awareness Week

Dr. Ronald Bangasser presented “Immunize California: A Call to Action” as a final plenary session. He closed the Summit by summarizing the highlights of the various presentations and breakout sessions. Dr. Bangasser urged the participants to “join with CAIC” to act locally or statewide in an effort to improve adult immunization levels.

III. Summit Evaluation

Background: On May 2, 2005, approximately 140 adult immunization professionals attended the 2005 California Adult Immunization Summit. Participants were asked to complete a survey to assist the Planning Committee with the evaluation of the Summit. Eighty-five (or 61%) Summit attendees completed and returned an evaluation form. Survey responses have been tabulated and consolidated (when possible) below.

1. Evaluation of Plenary, Keynote and Wrap up Speakers

The plenary, keynote and wrap up sessions were well received and greatly appreciated by Summit participants. In general, respondents reported:

• The content of each session was highly relevant to their work/professional development;
• They were very likely to use the content/learnings in the near future; and
• The overall quality of the session and presenter was largely excellent to good.
  

2. Evaluation of Breakout Sessions Topics/Presenters:

The morning and afternoon breakout sessions were well received and greatly appreciated by Summit participants. In general, respondents reported that:

• The content of each discussion was highly relevant to their work/professional development;
• They were very likely to use the content/learnings in the near future; and
• The overall quality of the session and facilitator was mostly excellent to good.
  

3. Evaluation of Roundtable Topics and Facilitators

The lunchtime roundtable session was well received and greatly appreciated by Summit participants. In general, respondents reported that:

• The content of each discussion was highly relevant to their work/professional development;
• They were very likely to use the content/learnings in the near future; and
• The overall quality of the session and facilitator was mostly excellent to good.
  

4. Additional Questions

A. The most important things learned at the Summit

• New vaccines for adolescents and adults
• New information on the low pneumococcal rates in California
• Policy and legislative efforts related to adult immunizations
• Overview of influenza vaccine
• Federal and state pandemic flu planning efforts
• Information on billing/reimbursement for immunizations
• Developing contingency plans for vaccine distribution
• Great educational opportunities and new information presented

B. The most valuable aspects of the Summit

• General networking, sharing, discussions etc.
• Dr. Strikas’s presentation.
• Dr. Marcy’s presentation on new vaccines
• Roundtable discussions
• CAIC Updates

C. How the Summit could have been improved

• Have a second day
• Focus on more adult vaccines
• More best practice presentations from CA organizations/coalitions

D. What topics/issues would you like to see covered in future Adult Immunization Summits?

• Pneumonia and tetanus
• Vaccinating HCWs
• Vaccine safety
• Pertussis
• Shingles prevention
• Adult immunization schedule
• HPV
• Initiative to discuss mass immunizations for general public
  

IV. Planning Committee and Participant Recommendations

1. Plan to have future CA Summits following the National Flu Summit.
2. Keynote speaker should be highly motivational.
3. Focus content on more adult vaccines.
4. Continue to support roundtable format and allow for open tables for participants who need downtime during lunch.
5. Allow for exhibits/booths for sharing of ideas, materials and best practices.
6. Charge a slightly higher registration fee ($40-50) for future Summits. Higher onsite registration fee.
7. Continue to use electronic communications to announce Summit registration. E-mails and availability of CAIC website worked well.
8. Use feedback from the 2005 Summit to plan the 2006 Summit.
9. Offer two tracks for breakout sessions (new Summit attendees, repeat attendees etc.)
10. Use centralized reporting format for development of breakout sessions.
11. Limit number of speakers in breakout sessions to 3?
12. Continue to reach out to audiences besides traditional public health audiences.
13. Continue to rotate location of Summit – Northern California or Central Valley in 2006?
14. Continue to incorporate perspectives outside of traditional public health into the Summit, e.g., people in marketing, consumer psychology, and the media.

V. Summary

The 2005 California Adult Immunization Summit was well attended by a diverse group of adult immunization stakeholders. The Summit successfully provided information on important trends in adult immunization. The Summit also provided several venues conducive for networking and collaboration building, i.e., opportunity to attend two out of ten breakout sessions (8 topics) and lunchtime roundtable discussions. A local NBC media affiliate covered the Summit with a brief live viewing of a breakout session and interview with Dr. Bangasser.