Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health has been honored with the 2021 Bronze Innovative Practice Award by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The award celebrates local health departments for developing innovative programs to meet the needs of their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The designation as a Bronze Innovative Practice demonstrates a high level of program innovation and reflects the collaboration, adaptability and program resilience. “Promoting Influenza Vaccine During a Pandemic: Strategies from Local Public Health” was one of 20 local health department programs to receive NACCHO’s Bronze Innovative Practice Award.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented many logistical challenges that threatened to interrupt routine healthcare practices. One method Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health utilized to overcome these challenges and increase throughput safely was drive-through influenza vaccination clinics during the 2020 influenza season. Offering drive-through clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed individuals to remain in their vehicles to receive a flu shot, providing a safe and convenient way to get a flu shot during the pandemic. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health used these drive-through flu clinics to prepare for mass vaccination clinics once COVID-19 vaccine was available.
“We are proud to receive NACCHO’s Bronze Innovative Practice Award. The award is evidence of our commitment to developing responsive and innovative public health programs that improve the health of local residents,” said Renae Moch, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director. “One of the silver linings that came from the pandemic, was reaffirming how our department can, and will, adapt to a variety of needs of the community we serve. I believe our staff has repeatedly been a shining example of dedication throughout the pandemic response.”
NACCHO’s Diamond Affiliate Partner, Contakt World is sponsoring the 2021 Innovative Practice Award. As the 2021 award sponsor, Contakt World will award Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health a $2,000 in-kind contribution of their public health services. In addition, the department will receive a complementary registration to NACCHO’s annual conference, NACCHO 360.
Innovative Practices are exciting approaches and strategies to local public health issues that were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and were creatively adapted to meet the circumstances of the pandemic. The Innovative Practices honors are awarded to local health departments across the country for implementing programs that can demonstrate exemplary of adaptable programs with replicable outcomes. “Promoting Influenza Vaccine During a Pandemic: Strategies from Local Public Health” is one of many successful public health practices in areas that range from health equity and face mask distribution programs to contactless delivery methods and drive through testing. Read more about these award-winning practices at the Innovative Practices Database.