Mass Vaccination

PHP works closely with our Community Health Clinic and Immunization program to expand our ability to administer vaccinations or dispense medications to the community in an infectious disease outbreak, such as pandemic influenza. CCHHS has conducted free flu immunization clinics in the fall for seven consecutive years to test our plans, train staff and volunteers, and improve communications to prepare for such an emergency.

In 2010-11, with free vaccine and funding from the CDC, the preparedness program again promoted vaccination as the best defense against the flu with free vaccination campaigns in a tri-county area. Carson City staff and volunteers provided free vaccinations in the Carson City School District, and conducted two flu clinic exercises in Carson City and two in Douglas County. We also provided flu vaccinations in private schools, day cares and institutional settings in Carson City and Douglas and Lyon counties. In total, we protected over 11,500 members of our region.
 
In addition, through community vaccination outreach at day cares, health fairs and food banks, we provided over 1,300 Tdap, Hepatitis A and pneumonia vaccines in the three counties."
 
On Thursday, May 12, 2011, the we conducted an exercise with community members as participants to practice dispensing antibiotics in the event of a public health emergency.  Although the Health Department tests mass vaccination during our annual seasonal flu clinic, we had never tried distributing antibiotics to heads of households in the community. According to Karen Allen, RN, a Public Health Planner, "The screening and distribution process is quite different from administering vaccinations, and CCHHS was excited to be able to test our plans using a new screening form for heads of households to pick up medications for all family members and to evaluate the training of medical staff and volunteers to screen for different types of allergies and medical conditions. We learned a lot and will make adjustments to our screening process and clinic flow for a future exercise."
 
The preparedness program received CDC funding from the State Health Division to plan and conduct this exercise. We succeeded in dispensing over 400 "medications" to 166 residents and their families in two hours. Of course, no real medications were given out. Instead, gift cards were distributed to encourage people to attend, and a survey was conducted at the exit. The majority of participants were impressed with the organization of the clinic and how quick it was to go through, plus indicated overwhelmingly their willingness to go to the Health Department to receive medications during an emergency.