Departments
Health and Human Services
Bucks County Health Department
-- Main -- BioTerrorism -- Bureau of Personal Health -- Bureau of Environmental Health --
September is National Preparedness Month: Getting Medication during a Public Health Emergency
If a disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack happens in Bucks County, thousands of people may need medical attention to treat or prevent the spread of disease. Local and state medical supplies will be used up quickly during the response. The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a federal asset, which helps local areas meet the need for additional medical supplies by quickly delivering large quantities of emergency supplies.
Bucks County will set up emergency medication centers (Points of Dispensing or PODS) where people can pick up medication or receive vaccinations. PODS will be located in large buildings in several geographic areas to minimize the amount of time people will need to travel to reach them. Bucks County Department of Health will announce when the PODS will open, where to find them, how to get there, what to bring, and what to expect upon arrival. You will be able to get this information from many sources including:
- Television and radio news
- Newspapers
- Local public health and government websites
- Community organizations
- Religious communities
If PODs are opened there will be no charge for the medication and we will not require identification. There will be a staff of trained volunteers to help you through the process of receiving medication or a vaccination. The process will be a simple as possible to aid staff in moving a large number of people thru the POD as quickly as possible. You will be provided resources which will update you on current information and will answer your questions.
You can help Bucks County prepare for a public health emergency by becoming a volunteer for the Health Department or becoming a Medical Reserve Volunteer (MRC). The Bucks County Department of Health in conjunction with the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency conduct an annual pandemic flu exercise in which PODs and drive-thru clinics are opened in many locations throughout the County. The annual drill not only provides free flu shots for the community but allows Bucks County Department of Health and our volunteers to practice opening and running PODs.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Bucks County Department of Health for the annual flu drill coming up this fall please e-mail Jennifer Lamothe jelamothe@co.bucks.pa.us