2008 News
September 15, 2008
Bucks County Health Department Calls for Volunteers for Third Annual Pandemic Flu Drill
The Bucks County Health Department, in conjunction with the Emergency Management Agency, will conduct the county’s third annual Pandemic Flu Drill on Saturday, October 18. This multi-beneficial event allows the county to test mass prophylaxis procedures for public health emergencies, while administering free influenza vaccines to any member of the public who participates.
Currently in the planning stage, the Health Department is calling for volunteers who can assist with all associated tasks, from administering vaccines to re-stocking supplies to conducting medical screening. Volunteers with and without medical qualifications are needed.
“Preparedness must be a perpetual effort on all of our parts – individuals, the medical community, our municipalities and county agencies, to name a few,” Commissioner Chairman Jim Cawley notes. “This September, National Preparedness Month, I ask my fellow citizens to answer the call of volunteerism and help continue our efforts to increase emergency preparedness in Bucks County.”
To sign up as a volunteer, please access the online form on the Health Department's Pandemic Drill Page.
Volunteers can also call the Health Department at 215-348-3318. Those who submit applications will receive training in preparation of the event, and will also receive a flu vaccine provided they medically qualify.
Participation at the county’s first two events has been encouraging – in 2006, Bucks administered over 3,900 vaccines. Last year, that number grew to more than 4,600.
Information about locations of the points of dispensing (PODs) will be released at a later date.