Health department sets date for flu shots and disaster planning

The Hill County Health Department is continuing to prepare for emergencies, both by providing influenza vaccinations and by testing its readiness for disasters.

The department has a flu vaccination clinic slated for Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the Havre High School gymnasium from noon to 7 p.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccination each year.

The Havre High location was selected to test the department’s emergency response plan designed to respond to a public health emergency such as a case of Hepatitis A in a food handler, multiple cases of meningitis in a school, an influenza pandemic or bio-terrorist attack involving hundreds of people, Hill County Public Health Director Danielle Golie said in a press release.

In such an emergency, “the Hill County Health Department is responsible to administer vaccines or dispense medication in response to infectious disease outbreaks,” Golie said. “We pride ourselves on continually improving the process of getting a large amount of citizens through the process very quickly.”

The response plan was tested last year using the District 4 Human Resources Development Council offices on the south end of Havre, but that location was not found to fulfill the requirements, the release said, leading to the selection of this year’s site to see if it better meets the needs.

The clinic this year is geared toward immunizing a large number of people in a short time, with vaccinations offered to everyone ages 6 months and older on a walk-in clinic basis.

Health Department Public Information Officer Kim Larson said Health Department officials will be using this “real life” exercise to analyze the clinic to learn how its staff members can manage a large number of people seeking vaccination and how fast people are getting through, as well as how to identify any inefficiencies that might slow down the process.

“We appreciate all the community support for this event,” Larson added. “Having a big turnout allows us to get a true picture of patient flow so we can have an effective plan. Over the past several years the Hill County Health Department has tested its response capability and participated in similar exercises in neighboring towns.”

“Something important that we learned from prior clinics was to inform the public to wear short sleeves for easier access to the injection site on the arm,” Golie said. “Simple steps such as that can save a lot of time when you are immunizing large amounts of people.”

Influenza vaccinations are available in a variety of locations outside of the Sept. 24 clinic, including other Hill County Health Department clinics planned later in the year in Havre and surrounding communities. Flu shots also will be available at the department, at the corner of 3rd Street and 4th Avenue, during office hours Tuesdays.

Local pharmacies have the vaccine and offer shots, as do the Bullhook Community Health Center and the Havre clinic of Northern Montana Health Care, which also is planning a vaccination clinic in the community later in the year.

Local groups and businesses also often offer flu shots to their members or employees.