2010 News

November 15, 2010

Fifth Annual Pandemic Flu Drill Tests Mass Inoculation Capabilities in a “Mega Pod” Setting

Pandemic Flu Drill Tent in ActionOn Saturday, November 13, the Bucks County Health Department and Emergency Management Agency joined the county Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) and scores of medical and non-medical volunteers to conduct the county’s 5th Annual Pandemic Flu drill. The drill, which took place in the spacious parking lot of Middletown Township’s Sesame Place Amusement Park, maintains a dual purpose – to immunize citizens from the winter season’s flu, and to prepare county officials and citizens for a Pandemic Flu mass-vaccination scenario. This year’s event showcased many of the county’s new health and emergency management tools, including a recorded message about the drill that was broadcast continuously on radio frequency AM 1650.

“This drill has become a staple of our emergency preparedness efforts. Again this year it harnessed the staff and volunteer talent that we have here in Bucks County,” stated Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin. 

Receiving a shotOver the course of four hours, approximately 2,300 vaccinations were delivered in an eight-lane drive thru format. This “mega pod” setup included eight inflatable tents, each of which could accommodate four vehicles simultaneously. Traffic flow at the site was coordinated by 30 MIRT officers, Middletown Township public safety personnel, and officers from the Philadelphia Homeland Security office. From the outset of the drill, lines of vehicles moved in an orderly fashion through medical screening checkpoints. Middletown Township personnel also helped transport supplies and set up support equipment. Ultimately, many of the vehicles passing through the line included multiple shot recipients.

“I’d like to offer my gratitude to our public health preparedness staff, Emergency Management Agency, volunteers, Major Incident Response Team officers and members of the public for helping the county in its preparedness efforts,” noted Health Department Director David Damsker, MD, MPH. “I’d also like to thank Sesame Place for providing an excellent venue for an exercise of this scope, and Middletown Township for its assistance in multiple capacities that ensured a well-coordinated drill.”

For those who were unable to attend the November 13th Flu Drill at Sesame Place, Flu Clinics will be held at the Health Department on the following days (please note, these are walk-in clinics and there is no need to call the Health Department in advance):

Friday, November 19, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Neshaminy Manor Center
Building K Health Building
Route 611 & Almshouse Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 215-345-3318

Friday, November 19, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Bucks County Government Services Center
Lower Bucks District Office
7321 New Falls Rd.
Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: 215-949-5805

Tuesday, November 23, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Bucks County Government Services Center
Upper Bucks District Office
261 California Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Phone: 215-529-7000

You are not eligible for a flu shot if:

  • You have an allergy to eggs
  • You have an allergy to latex
  • You have had a severe reaction to a previous immunization
  • You have a history of Guillan-Barre Syndrome
  • You feel moderately or severely ill (with or without a fever)

For more tips on emergency preparedness, visit www.BucksCounty.org/ReadyBucks.