The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need to have strategies in place to educate, prevent, and mitigate infectious disease in school settings. The Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch (EISB) of Public Health Services (PHS) utilized School Workforce Grant funding from the CDC to establish the Epidemiology School Response Team (ESRT) and augment its School Immunization Program (SIP). These consist of interdisciplinary teams of clinical and health promotion staff that work to protect students’ health and support all schools in San Diego County. This is accomplished by sharing information about infectious diseases; providing education and prevention; developing communication strategies and materials; conducting environmental assessments of ventilation systems; responding to infectious disease cases, clusters, and outbreaks in school settings; analyzing vaccination coverage rate data; and providing school-based vaccination opportunities.

Learning Objective:
1. Increase knowledge of County of San Diego Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch school programs, trainings, resources, and tools available for school communities.
2. Understand elements of infectious disease transmission, prevention, and control in school settings, including vaccinations required for school entry that protect students and families from vaccine preventable diseases.
3. Learn services offered to school staff to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.