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Mass vaccination clinic to test HNE Health pandemic preparedness
Mass vaccination clinic to test HNE Health pandemic preparedness
Hunter New England Health will hold a mass vaccination clinic on 11 March in the township of Aberdeen in the Upper Hunter to test its ongoing pandemic and disaster preparation and planning processes.
The clinic will be set up as part of an exercise called ‘Ring o’ Rosies’ designed to test the health service’s ability to efficiently carry out mass vaccinations in a rural community.
In this particular exercise, the scenario calls for local health authorities to set up a vaccination clinic following the detection of pandemic influenza in Australia and the subsequent development of an effective vaccine.
HNE Health Public Health Controller Dr David Durrheim said it’s important that the community understand this scenario is part of a planning exercise only – and there is no evidence of pandemic influenza in Australia.
"However in order to make the exercise as realistic as possible, we’re asking for the Aberdeen community to get involved by visiting the vaccination clinic which will be located at St Joseph’s High School on Tuesday 11 March from 2pm-8pm."
"As an incentive to participate will be offered a free flu shot. By participating, not only will you be helping the Area Health Service with an important disaster planning exercise, but you’ll also be protecting yourself for the upcoming winter flu season," Dr Durrheim said.
Health staff from the Upper Hunter, the HNE Health Bio-preparedness and Population Health Units have been planning this exercise for some months now. The data gathered and lessons learned will help enhance Hunter New England Health’s pandemic plans and contribute to preparations on a national level and within other health services in NSW.
"We really do hope people that live and work in Aberdeen will help out our plans to the test by coming out to the vaccination clinic and participating," Dr Durrheim said.
Who can attend?:
· All individuals older than six months of age that live or work in the Aberdeen community (postcode 2336)
· Children under 16 must be accompanied by parent/guardian
· Children under 10 having the flu vaccine for the first time will also need a second free dose at least one month later, to provide full protection
What to bring with you:
· Medicare card
· Vaccine Record Card or booklet (e.g. blue book for children) if you have one
· Proof of living or working within the Aberdeen postcode (e.g. council rates notice, utilities bill, driver’s licence, student ID, work ID etc)
For further information about the mass vaccination clinic please telephone (02) 6542 2747.
Contact: Tanya Carlyle
Phone: (02) 49392602
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