From 2021-2022, PNQIN received CDC funding to engage hospitals, stakeholders, and educational platforms in equitable delivery of vaccines to pregnant and postpartum people, parents and caregivers of young children, and families.
Expanding on our early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PNQIN used CDC funding to develop and lead new activities for implementation of best practices for increasing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine confidence, equitable access and administration among populations disproportionately affected by COVID 19.
PNQIN’s Perinatal COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative accomplished 3 goals:
Developed an educational program based on current evidence that employs principles of motivational interviewing to improve provider knowledge and to strengthen respectful patient-provider communication regarding SARS CoV-2 vaccination.
Provided sample protocol resources, education and training on updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination guidance and used improvement science to support and measure site protocol uptake and implementation.
Partnering with MDPH community liaisons and stakeholders in the hardest hit communities to improve SARS-CoV-2 vaccination access in communities for pregnant people and their families.
Our Impact
- 179 providers and community health works in 19 (out of 20) MA communities hardest hit by COVID-19 were trained in motivational interviewing skills to address vaccine hesitancy.
- 76% of participants who completed the evaluation reported that the training content was very or extremely useful.
- 60% of birthing hospitals have at least 1 of the 2 COVID-19 vaccination protocols:
- A protocol(s) for screening & respectfully addressing vaccine hesitancy & to provide other vaccination counseling;
- A protocol for screening and administration of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant/postpartum people & their families.
- PNQIN team members or partners attended 43 vaccination events within 13 communities.
- Cities/towns: Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, & Worcester
- Events: Clinics, town halls, resource dissemination, community partnership meetings
- Partners: Local Board of Health, Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs, YMCAs, Communities, VaxAbilities, Museums, Schools, United Way, local community-based organizations, etc.
