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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
BSPH
International Vaccine Access Center: VIEW-hub
An online, interactive, map-based platform for visualizing data on vaccine use and impact.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
JHU
Johns Hopkins University: Coronavirus Resource Center
A website that provides current information, trends, expert insights, and news about COVID-19.
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.
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.