EMS: Help with Flu Vaccine Clinics

In 2009, there was an outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Since then, we’ve encouraged tribal nation and local public health departments in Wisconsin to use resources such as EMS (Emergency Medical Services) to help with seasonal flu vaccines.

There are specific guidelines for this approach. All groups should work closely with their medical director and tribal nation director or local public health officer.

How to partner with EMS

There are two ways a tribal nation or local public health department can partner with EMS to help with flu vaccines:

1. The EMS service director or medical director may work with the tribal nation or local public health department to use EMS resources. The resources include staff and vehicles. EMS paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) work under the EMS service’s medical direction to help give flu vaccines. The EMS service needs to do the following:
   1. Update their Operational Plan.
   2. Adopt the Wisconsin EMS protocol and procedure for vaccinations.
   3. Follow all public health guidelines.

The EMS service and tribal nation or local public health department share the authority for the paramedic or EMT to vaccinate.

2. The tribal nation or local public health department may request and use EMS volunteers or paid contract staff to help give flu vaccines. This approach can be part of local practice. It also can be in agreement with the local Public Health Emergency Plan or Mass Clinic Plan.

Individual paramedics and EMTs may volunteer or get paid as contract employees to help with the vaccines. With this approach, they work under the direction of the tribal nation or local public health department. They can get “Just in Time” training as needed.

The tribal nation or local public health department must confirm the paramedic’s or EMT’s skill for giving vaccines. When a paramedic or EMT is working in this way, they are not working under their EMS license. Instead, they are a volunteer or paid contract employee. They work for the tribal nation or local public health department.

The seasonal flu vaccine is only available to tribal nation or local public health departments and registered clinical sites, such as hospitals and clinics. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) gives out the vaccine supplies.

Required documents

To get approved to give the vaccine, each service must complete Wisconsin EMS Protocols—Administration Version 1, January 2022, P-02875. (PDF)

Send completed files to your program coordinator before moving forward with EMS support.

Related topics

• Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)—Influenza (Flu)
• Influenza (Flu)
• TB (tuberculosis) Testing and Guidelines

Questions? Contact dhsemssmail@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-266-0471.