From university to community: The Baton Rouge experience

This paper describes a successful hepatitis B vaccination program which expanded from one school vaccinating 475 students to 68 schools vaccinating 3,400 students. Issues associated with success include acquiring resources, organizing program logistics, developing an advisory board, determining eligibility for free vaccine, obtaining vaccine for those not eligible for publicly supplied vaccine, methods of consenting, and managing data. The process of obtaining support can increase public awareness and assist further program expansion. The program demonstrates that the time and energy expended in start-up activities for the first two or three years will evolve into a program with a life of its own, requiring only a moderate amount of attention while generating strong positive community support.