Mass Vaccination Exercise Clinics Provide Flu Shots To 7,855
October 22, 2004
Approximately 7,855 persons in at-risk categories received free flu shots Saturday as part of the mass vaccination clinic exercise held in nine Southeastern Colorado counties.
The event, one of the largest bioterrorism exercises to be held in Colorado, also tested plans developed by public health agencies in the nine counties for immunizing all local residents within three days in case of a biologic attack.
The approximate number of at-risk persons, including the elderly and young children, receiving the flu shots Saturday as part of the exercise included 425 in Kiowa County. Final numbers are expected next week.
Public health agencies participating in the exercise were the Baca County Nursing Service; the Bent County Nursing Service Authority; Cheyenne County Public Health; Crowley County Public Health Nursing Service; Kiowa County Nursing Service; the Las Animas/Huerfano Counties District Health Department; the Otero County Department of Health; and the Prowers County Public Health Nursing Service.
Douglas H. Benevento, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment who observed the exercise from the control center in La Junta, said, "All the involved public health agencies did a great job on this exercise, which served two important purposes. It provided flu shots to more to nearly 8,000 at-risk individuals, and also tested the region’s bioterrorism and emergency preparedness response plans.
"I was particularly impressed that these public health workers, after the national vaccine shortage came to light, did such a great job of identifying the most vulnerable in their communities, who really needed to get flu shots and then saw that they were vaccinated."
Kris Stokke, the Lamar-based regional public health preparedness planner for the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness Program, said, "The collaboration on the local, regional and state levels for this exercise was a great success. Expert technical assistance from the volunteer Amateur Radio Emergency Services personnel, who are ham radio operators, assured consistent communication between the exercise control cell and the nine clinic sites." The exercise had been planned over the course of nine months.
The Kiowa County Nursing Service still has a limited supply of flu vaccines purchased from private suppliers (not state allotment). If you did not receive a vaccination and believe you are in the high risk category, please call the Kiowa County Nursing Service at 438- 5782 to set up an appointment to receive your vaccination.