Flulapalooza Sets Guinness Record

Vanderbilt University Medical Center holds the world record for the most vaccinations given in eight hours, according to Guinness World Records. There were 12,850 flu shots given during the October 2011 record attempt, dubbed Flulapalooza.

During a special announcement in December, Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, was presented with the official certificate and Bruce Gellin, MD, deputy assistant secretary for Health and director of the National Vaccine Program Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provided a video message.

VUMC more than doubled the previous world record, 6,215, held by San Diego’s Kaiser Permanente.

Free flu vaccines were given to University and Medical Center faculty, staff, volunteers and students during a daylong event on Oct. 12. Forty-four nurses in four lines worked simultaneously inoculating participants.