Resources for Practitioners

COVID-19 Resources for Practitioners

This website offers a centralized collection of COVID-19 resources for public health agencies and other organizations developed under the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Training Initiative from March 2020-April 2022 and a link to the archive of the Novel coronavirus Research Compendium.

Resources include free online courses, training material, and tools, categorized into broad topics.

COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador Training

This free 2-hour Coursera course teaches parents of school-aged children, teachers, and school staff about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine and how to engage in conversations about vaccine hesitancy in a respectful and empathetic way.

Vira, the Vax Chatbot

Vira can help health workers or anyone who seeks help fielding questions from family and friends about the COVID-19 vaccines. The chatbot was developed by the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, powered by IBM, and inspired by previous research that showed automated chatbots using AI can effectively communicate credible information and support health behavior changes.

 

Resources

Communications

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: COVID-19 Communication Network

The COVID-19 Communication Network (CCN) is a reliable site for social and behavior change (SBC) professionals and other responders, to access and share high quality communication materials, tools and resources to address the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. The one-stop shop includes the latest guidance, reports, training curricula, media materials and more from Johns Hopkins, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – as well as from partners on the ground around the world working to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Learn More

Contact Tracing

Monitoring and Evaluating Contact Tracing Programs

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Measuring and Maximizing Impact of COVID-19 Contact Tracing

A course covering the most important indicators of performance of a contact tracing program, and a tool that can be used to project the likely impact of improvements in specific indicators and their associated resource needs.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: ConTESSA

An interactive tool that supplements the Measuring and Maximizing Impact of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Coursera course. Can be used to estimate the impact of a contact tracing program on transmission and strategizing about how to increase the program’s impact.

Learn More

Training Contact Tracers

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: COVID-19 Contact Tracing

An introductory course that covers the natural history of SARS-CoV-2, how and why contact tracing is done and important ethical considerations around contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. Translated learning and subtitles are available in multiple languages.

Learn More

Spanish

Portuguese

BSPH

Jhpiego: Training Package for Covid-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracers

This training package can be used to train case investigators and contact tracers over a seven-day period. Content includes facilitator guidance, slide deck, and supplemental material, including an “e-Binder” with sample protocols, job aids and participant hand-outs. These materials were developed by Jhpiego in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department as part of the Baltimore Health Corps Initiative and the Baltimore City Health Department Covid-19 Response Program.

Learn More

Training Contact Tracing Program Managers and Supervisors

BSPH

Jhpiego: Training Package for Supervisors and Managers of Covid-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Programs

This training package can be used to train contact tracing program supervisors and managers over a two-day period. Content includes facilitator guidance, slide deck, and supplemental material, including job aids and participant hand-outs. These materials were developed by Jhpiego in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department as part of the Baltimore Health Corps Initiative and the Baltimore Health Department Covid-19 Response Program.

Learn More

High-Risk and Congregate Settings

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: Strategies for Senior Housing Communities during COVID-19

A free Coursera course designed for senior housing communities on COVID-19 response strategies. This course provides a central platform for senior housing owners, managers, and service coordinators to learn how to develop and implement a comprehensive health emergency response. Topics covered include: emergency preparedness, infection and outbreak prevention, housing operations adaptations, communicating with stakeholders, promoting resident and staff well-being, and leveraging health department and other agency resources.

Learn More

BSPH

International Vaccine Access Center: COVID-19 Vaccines in Older Adults

Resources to provide guidance on COVID-19 vaccines in older adults. This website includes a presentation focused on older adults covering how vaccines work, safety, and distribution as well as a document providing peer ambassadors and faith leaders a resource to answer questions frequently asked by older adults.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: COVID-19 Vaccination Town Hall for Assisted Living and Senior Housing Communities

Town hall designed specifically for assisted living and senior housing administrators, managers, and staff. Covers the science behind the vaccines and preliminary data, vaccination distribution, messaging strategies for staff and residents, infection prevention vigilance, and other related challenges for these settings.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: Strategies for Assisted Living Communities during COVID-19

A free Coursera course designed for assisted living communities on COVID-19 response strategies. This course provides a central platform for assisted living administrators and direct-care staff to learn how to develop and implement a comprehensive health emergency response. Topics covered include: emergency preparedness planning, infection and outbreak prevention, communicating with stakeholders, promoting resident and staff well-being, leveraging health department and other agency resources, and testing strategies, contact tracing and cohorting.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: COVID-19 Vaccination Town Hall for Assisted Living and Senior Housing Communities

Town hall designed specifically for assisted living and senior housing administrators, managers, and staff. Covers the science behind the vaccines and preliminary data, vaccination distribution, messaging strategies for staff and residents, infection prevention vigilance, and other related challenges for these settings.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Recommendations for a Metropolitan COVID-19 Response—Special Area of Emphasis: Guidance on Protecting Individuals Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities

Report developed by experts at the Johns Hopkins University. Describes six recommendations for protecting individuals in long-term care facilities.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: COVID-19 and the US Criminal Justice System: Evidence for Public Health Measures to Reduce Risk

Report developed by experts at the Johns Hopkins University. Summarizes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the US criminal justice system and provides evidence-based recommendations on how to reduce COVID-19 risks to people in the system.

Learn More

Webinar

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Recommendations for a Metropolitan COVID-19 Response— Special Emphasis Series: Guidance on Protecting Incarcerated Individuals

Recommendations for protecting incarcerated individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Learn More

School Systems

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: School Re-Opening in the Era of COVID-19

A series of seven self-paced educational modules providing U.S. school and district officials with best practices to reduce COVID-19 risk for kids, teachers, and staff during in-person learning. These modules cover a range of topics including implementing public health mitigation strategies, screening and testing approaches, and communicating with stakeholders about COVID-19. 

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: Schools and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions from Parents and Caregivers

Answers to common questions from parents and caregivers on schools and COVID-19. Available in English and Spanish.

Learn More

Español

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Risk Assessment and Testing Protocols for Reducing SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in K-12 Schools

Report developed by experts at Johns Hopkins University and Duke University to help school administrators assess the risk of SARS-COV-2 in their schools. Discusses key considerations in developing a screening program to regularly test students and staff.

Learn More

Q & A with Authors

JHU

Johns Hopkins University eSchool+ Initiative: School Reopening Policy Tracker

Real-time analysis of education recovery plans for K-12 schools put forth by states, territories, and national organizations.

Learn More

School Reopening Checklist

JHU

OpenSmartEdu: COVID-19 Planning Guide and Self-Assessment for Higher Education 

Website designed to guide higher education in planning operating strategies. Includes planning tools, databases, and trackers relevant for colleges and universities.

Learn More

Planning and Self-Assessment Guide

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Back to School 2020

Webcast with Johns Hopkins University experts covering the topic of school re-opening and challenges leaders, teachers, parents, and students should consider in the coming months.

Learn More

Vaccines

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccination Training Compendium

This website provides health departments and their staff with training resources and expert guidance to effectively communicate about COVID-19 disease and vaccination to partners, other health jurisdictions, and members of the public. Each module is divided into brief, self-paced trainings on key topics—the SARS-CoV-2 virus, vaccine regulatory processes, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the US, and how to address vaccine hesitancy and build trust.

Learn More

BSPH

Jhpiego: COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Point of Dispensing

This short module provides an orientation for volunteers and staff who are preparing to take part in an incident command team to run a mass point-of-dispensing (POD) COVID-19 vaccination clinic. It provides a fundamental overview of best practices in prevention and control of COVID-19; reviews basics of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the US; provides orientation to team member roles and responsibilities; and reviews client flow within the POD site.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing: JHU COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program

A free course for individuals preparing to administer vaccines in COVID-19 vaccination programs. This course covers vaccination hesitation, syringes and needles, preparing and administering the vaccine for intramuscular injection (with demonstration), and allergic reactions and side effects.

Learn More

JHU

COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador Training

Free 2-hour Coursera course teaching parents of school-aged children, teachers, and school staff about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine and how to engage in conversations about vaccine hesitancy in a respectful and empathetic way.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Vaccine Volunteer Project

This document describes the most important elements of the Johns Hopkins University Vaccine Volunteer Project, an undergraduate student volunteering system which has supported Maryland's vaccination efforts at mass vaccination sites and community clinics. This framework can be used by other universities interested in implementing similar programs.

Learn More

BSPH

International Vaccine Access Center: ​COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Hub

The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Hub supports public health workers by providing a freely accessible Message Library bank with over 100 answers to questions about vaccine eligibility, immunity, safety, access, and other key topics helpful in outreach with U.S. communities around COVID-19 vaccines. The app, from the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center, also includes easy-to-reference training on COVID-19 vaccines and links out to quality information sources

Learn More

BSPH

International Vaccine Access Center: ​Vira, the Vax Chatbot

Vira can help health workers or anyone who seeks help fielding questions from family and friends about the COVID-19 vaccines. The chatbot was developed by the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, powered by IBM and inspired by previous research that showed automated chatbots using AI can effectively communicate credible information and support health behavior changes.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: ​U.S. Vaccination Efforts

Reports the number of vaccine doses administered and people fully vaccinated in the US by state and territory. Updated daily.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: ​COVID Behaviors Dashboard

This interactive dashboard presents data from a global survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices around COVID-19. The dashboard is intended to be used by policymakers, government officials, and public health practitioners at national and sub-national levels to better understand the behavioral drivers behind vaccine uptake, masking, and physical distancing that can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: ​COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Dashboard

Tool tracking vaccine prioritization plans for long-term care settings, other congregate care settings, people with chronic conditions, and additional disability-related groups across all US states, territories, and DC.

Learn More

BSPH

International Vaccine Access Center: VIEW-hub

An online, interactive, map-based platform for visualizing data on vaccine use and impact.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Interim Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution in the United States

Report developed by a multi-disciplinary team of public health experts at Johns Hopkins University offering an ethical framework to guide discussion and inform decisions about vaccine allocation.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: The Public’s Role in COVID-19 Vaccination: Planning Recommendations Informed by Design Thinking and the Social, Behavioral, and Communication Sciences

Report developed by a multi-disciplinary team of public health experts offering recommendations on how to advance public understanding of, access to, and acceptance of vaccines that protect against COVID-19.

Learn More

Q&A with authors

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: Vaccines

A compendium of information on COVID-19 vaccines. Includes a vaccine tracker with key metrics for understanding vaccination progress in the US, FAQ, a primer on COVID-19 vaccine, and a blog series discussing the evolving science and policy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Learn More

BSPH

International Vaccine Access Center

Resources developed or identified by the International Vaccine Access Center. Includes informational material (webinars, podcasts, videos), featured news, publications, and tools.

Learn More

JHU

JHU-UW Vaccine Symposium: The Scientific Integrity of COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Trials: From Clinical Trials to Public Allocation 

Virtual vaccine symposium brings together leading voices in the field to explore complex issues regarding COVID-19 vaccines, from development to allocation.  

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: COVID-19 Vaccination Town Hall for Assisted Living and Senior Housing Communities

Town hall designed specifically for assisted living and senior housing administrators, managers, and staff. Covers the science behind the vaccines and preliminary data, vaccination distribution, messaging strategies for staff and residents, infection prevention vigilance, and other related challenges for these settings.

Learn More

Additional Resources

BSPH

Call to Action: We Stand with Public Health

This website describes We Stand with Public Health, a call to action to stop the harassment of the public health workforce, to reject efforts to sideline public health, and to revitalize public health agencies. The website includes resources for each major topic.

Learn More

JHU

Johns Hopkins University: Coronavirus Resource Center

A website that provides current information, trends, expert insights, and news about COVID-19.

Learn More

BSPH

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: COVID-19 School of Public Health Expert Insights

A website that provides current information, trends, expert insights, and news about COVID-19.

Learn More

Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium

Access expert reviews of COVID-19 literature

About

The COVID-19 Training Initiative is an initiative of the Office of Public Health Practice and Training, led by Assistant Dean for Public Health Practice Dr. Beth Resnick, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Assistant Professor Melissa Marx and Research Associate, Kyu Han Lee. Administrative support is provided by the Department of Health Policy and Management.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Training Initiative draws on resources at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University to provide COVID-19 training support for public health workers across the US.