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A record number of people sought flu shots this year. The COMPASS Center’s mobile clinic was a lifeline

By Sydnee Logan | 12/08/2025 at 11:01 AM

“We did over 1000 flu vaccinations last year, and over 2000 this year.”
Dr. Catherine Ling, Chief Nursing Officer, COMPASS

“We did over 1000 flu vaccinations last year, and over 2000 this year,” said Dr. Catherine Ling, Chief Nursing Officer of the COMPASS center. “We’ve delivered upwards of 200–250 vaccinations at a couple of sites.”

The COMPASS Center at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing just wrapped up its flu clinic for the fall 2025 season, completing five years of the mobile, seasonal clinic originally conceived of by Professor Emerita Phyllis Sharps. They saw record turnout this year for three key reasons: first, many families feared they wouldn’t have access to the flu vaccine anywhere else. Second, people had lost jobs or were furloughed during the federal shutdown and were avoiding medical costs. Finally, some (especially undocumented people) were hesitant to seek health insurance and if uninsured had been quoted extremely high prices elsewhere. “One woman tried to get her flu shot and was told it was $160,” said Dr. Ling.

The mobile clinic has been hosted at sites including the Baltimore Farmer’s Market (under I-83) and Waverly Place Market, Healthcare for the Homeless, Henderson-Hopkins School and Commodore John Rogers School, and Northeast Market. The final site of the season was a return visit to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, a predominantly Hispanic parish in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood. Word-of-mouth was a major driver of turnout the second time around. “We saw a lot of folks we previously vaccinated bringing their friends and family for their shots,” said Dr. Ling.

The clinics were staffed by licensed faculty and doctoral students, with master’s entry students managing clinic flow and health education, and Homewood volunteers providing Spanish translation at every site. With strong community partnerships, no ID requirements, and accessible locations, the clinics served as both a public health lifeline and meaningful learning—“one of those really satisfying multiple wins events,” Dr. Ling said.