Mass Vaccination Clinic Exercise In Florence

In the past Pinal County has held exercises testing responses to simulated terrorist attacks & major weather emergencies. Last Saturday, the Pinal County Division of Public Health put on an exercise of holding a mass vaccination clinic in the case of a worldwide flu pandemic. They are trying to prepare people for the eventuality that a major pandemic will happen. Exercises like last Saturday's vaccination clinic will help prepare not just the Division of Public Health, but many other Pinal County departments to serve in case of major event like a pandemic. To run such an extensive exercise, there was a need for volunteers on a large scale. The answer presented itself quickly to the team who planned the drill. Sheriff Department volunteers need to receive a Hepatitis B shot & a Tuberculosis skin test to be able to serve. The imaginary flu vaccine clinic then became a clinic that provided the needed vaccinations for those who serve in the Sheriff's Posse, Search & Rescue & other volunteer opportunities. The Clinic's Incident Commander, Diane Reed said that the exercise brought in outside agencies to help assist in carrying out the drill's goal and objectives. Reed pointed out that aspects of the exercise from behavioral health to ambulance service had to be included to make this simulation as real as possible. Two overseers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were on hand to evaluate the exercise & the response to problems faced. Not all was expected to go smoothly during the exercise. The Division of Public Health is looking on using this drill to highlight weak spots & work on them before the next mass vaccination exercise 6 months from now. Much to the delight of the staff overseeing this exercise there were some problems at the beginning which were easily handled by making a minor adjustment here & there. Hourly staff meetings helped to point out problems & create solutions without disrupting the vaccination clinic. Health Department officials will go over all aspects of the exercise in May. The recommendations from ICE and people taking part in the exercise will be incorporated in the next mass vaccination exercise in the fall.