Now we are witnessing the return of many medieval pathologies. Millenarianism is on the march again. Extinction Rebellion activists close down cities and daub town squares with fake blood in protests that usually involve wild dancing and drumming along with predictions of the end of the world. The new high-tech Middle Ages is even seeing the return of medieval political nomenclature. Kings were once called the Bald (Charles) or the Cruel (Peter of Castile). Donald Trump now dubs his opponents Sleepy Joe or Crooked Hillary. There are structural similarities too – similarities that began long before covid-19 took hold and raise worrying questions about our post-covid future. The middle class that was the bulwark of the post-war world is on the retreat across the West. The new tech oligarchy resembles the medieval aristocracy, “the chivalrous class without the chivalry”, as Joel Kotkin wrote in a recent book, “The Coming of Neo-Feudalism”.

In addition to current situational awareness, there is much to learn from past experiences. Jurisdictions may find it helpful to review their 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccination response plans and lessons learned. After-action reports and improvement plans from that time provide an opportunity for jurisdictions to build on prior strengths and determine any gaps that may need to be addressed. After plans have been drafted, it is important to identify any weaknesses by conducting exercises, including workshops or tabletop, functional, or full-scale exercises. This may be particularly valuable for any activities planned with external partners. For example, vaccination clinics in temporary or off-site settings, such as those planned for essential workers, are an excellent opportunity for exercises. Specific procedures to assess could include cold chain management, vaccine administration and documentation, traffic flow, or social distancing and sanitation measures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has posted information on its Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation program that jurisdictions may find useful as they plan their own exercises.

To mitigate any unexpected situations affecting a team member, each team member should have a backup representative to ensure coverage of each specialty area remains intact throughout the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. For any roles that are not adequately staffed, efforts should be made to recruit for and fill any team member vacancies as early as possible.

Massachusetts State public health officials announced that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities.  This new vaccine requirement published on August 19, 2020, ‘is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and ​the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 disease pandemic’ said the press release.