Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

October 6, 2006

Contact information

‘Mark of Excellence’ aims to ensure high quality outreach flu clinics
New program designates clinics with MDH training in vaccine handling, dispensing

October in Minnesota means flu season is just around the corner. This year, with ample supplies of vaccine expected to be available, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be encouraging more Minnesotans than ever to get flu shots. A large share of flu vaccinations each year are offered in settings other than the traditional doctor’s office. As part of its efforts to encourage more flu vaccination, MDH has launched a new program aimed at increasing consumers’ confidence in flu clinics in alternative or outreach settings.

The new “Mark of Excellence” program was developed to recognize and ensure high-quality flu clinics in settings such as grocery stores, drugstores and workplaces. The program responds to concerns expressed by the public about the safety of flu vaccinations in non-medical clinic sites, even though health professionals are running them.

“One way to encourage more people to get flu shots is to make sure that people have the utmost confidence in places that offer flu shots,” said Kristen Ehresmann, immunizations section manager for MDH.

MDH has partnered with agencies that provide flu vaccinations in outreach settings to provide training in all aspects of holding a flu shot clinic. Agencies that have completed and passed the training will be designated by distinctive “Mark of Excellence” materials on display. When consumers look up a flu clinic on the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Find a Flu Shot” Web page, www.mdhflu.com, they can look for the “Mark of Excellence” check mark next to the clinic name. When they attend a flu shot clinic, they may see posters that indicate this agency has participated in the “Mark of Excellence” training program.

Achieving the Mark of Excellence means this flu shot clinic has:

• Licensed nurses qualified to give shots according to the Minnesota Board of Nursing standards.
• Demonstrated that their vaccines are stored and transported according to the standards established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Trained their staff how to administer and use flu vaccine products according to annual flu guidelines.
• Verified that staff is CPR-certified and prepared to handle an emergency.

In short, the Mark of Excellence signifies that the clinic manages and dispenses its vaccine in the same way that your doctor’s office would, Ehresmann said. Private medical clinics are not part of the Mark of Excellence program because they already adhere to rigorous standards for patient care and vaccine handling.

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

Doug Schultz
MDH Communications Office
(651) 201-4993

Kristen Ehresmann
Immunizations, TB and Int’l. Health
(651) 201-5414

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