More than 10,000 Receive Seasonal Flu Vaccine
in Statewide Mass Vaccination Exercise
November 17, 2007—Denver—On Saturday, Nov. 17,
local public health departments and
local public health nursing services dispensed more than
10,000 seasonal
flu vaccines as part of a statewide emergency preparedness
exercise.
There were 29 points of dispensing opened around the state
on Saturday
morning to dispense free vaccine to the public.
The exercise was designed by the Emergency Preparedness
and Response
Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment to
test the state’s ability to quickly immunize large numbers
of people
as might be done in a real public health emergency. “We
greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with our local
public
health partners in this exercise and also want to thank
those Coloradans
who turned out for the flu vaccine,” said Chief State
Medical Officer
Ned Calonge. “Exercises like the mass vaccination effort
today are
critical to the state in preparing for public health
emergencies that
may occur in the future.” Chris Lindley, director of the
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Division, said, “Local public health, as well as local
emergency
management, stepped up again and demonstrated that Colorado
continues to
plan, train and exercise its response plan to ensure
Colorado remains
the safest place to live, work and play.” The three-day
exercise began Thursday as vaccines were delivered to the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for
distribution to
the various vaccination sites. The Colorado National Guard
transported
vaccine on Friday to two sites in southeastern and
southwestern
Colorado. Other vaccine was distributed via ground
transportation by
the state health department. The exercise was funded by
federal grant dollars from the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. --30-- |
