Subcutaneous immunotherapy administration on college campuses: Two exploratory surveys of Florida allergists and student health.

Abstract

Background: Student health center or clinic (SHC) administration of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) while at college/university is not well studied.

Objective: To clarify SCIT administration on campus both from the Allergist's and SHC's perspectives using Florida as an example.

Methods: The Florida Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society (FAAIS) Practice Standards Committee surveyed all FAAIS members in the fall of 2023 regarding SCIT administration at SHCs. All Florida colleges and universities offering 4-year bachelor's degrees were surveyed in the spring of 2024 to assess the following 3 variables: presence of a SHC on campus, whether SCIT is offered at said SHC, and whether there were protocols or policies available regarding SCIT administration. Available polices and protocols were analyzed.

Results: Among FAAIS members responding (23% response rate) to the 29-question survey, almost all would provide important specific information (ie, allergic diagnoses, buildup/maintenance schedules, medications, recording sheet, instructions for local/systemic reactions, pre-SCIT antihistamine use, and student epinephrine autoinjector carriage) either upfront or if requested by SHCs, but vial label components provided varied between FAAIS members. Among the 37 Florida colleges and universities with SHCs (29%), 21 (57%) offered SCIT, and of these, 11 (52%) had available policies or protocols outlining how SCIT is administered. Available protocol details varied, but Allergist protocols were required by all.

Conclusion: Florida Allergists varied in terms of information provided to SHCs regarding SCIT administration at SHCs, and among the 57% of SHCs administering SCIT in Florida, there was a similar variability.