More than 2,500 have been vaccinated here

DOWNEY - The free flu-shot clinic sponsored by the City of Downey and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) on Nov. 14 was successful.Public health officials cite the vaccination process, which interrupts the virus transfer cycle of one person passing the virus to another, as a key to minimizing the impact of a flu virus on the community. Due to limited vaccine supplies, the Director of DPH directed his staff to limit the vaccinations to specific targeted groups. After the initial screening of the attendees, all of those in the targeted groups were vaccinated as quickly as possible. At one point in the afternoon over 500 people were vaccinated in a one hour period of time. DPH staff members and volunteers successfully dispensed the H1N1 vaccine to 2,503 area residents during the course of the November clinic operations. Over 1,000 people were in line waiting for their vaccinations when the clinic opened at 9 a.m. Over 60 Downey area volunteers worked hard to ensure the clinic operated efficiently. The registration area was staffed by nursing program students from Rio Hondo College and the Downey Adult School. Volunteer members of the Downey Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Community Emergency Response Team assisted with the operations of the clinic for the entire day. City staff from Police, Fire, Public Works, Administration and Community Services Divisions all contributed to the organization and operation of the event as well. Kaiser Hospital and the County Mental Health Department provided informative handouts and small gifts to attendees. --Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager

********** Published: November 27, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 32