In an effort to prepare Aliso Viejo for a large-scale medical emergency, the city will host a Point-of-Dispensing (POD) exercise from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at Soka University.
The POD exercise will be a multi-agency operation with the Orange County Health Care Agency, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Soka University.
The goal of a POD site is to distribute mass medication, vaccination services, food, water and medical supplies to City residents during a large-scale public health emergency. During the October 16 exercise, the agencies will work in harmony to systematically administer flu shots to the public. Planning with multiple agencies helps to better prepare the region for potential medical emergencies.
“This is a great opportunity to partner with the Orange County Health Care Agency and other community partners,” said Aliso Viejo Emergency Management Coordinator Sarah Barker. “This event will help improve our capabilities to respond to a large-scale event while offering free flu shots to our community.”
Health care officials say the flu vaccine is recommended yearly for people older than 6 months and especially for those who are at highest risk: pregnant women, seniors and children younger than 5.
Vaccinations will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis with drive-through and walk-up locations on the Soka campus at 1 University Drive. To receive a flu shot, folks should be feeling well that day and must complete a brief health screening to ensure they can safely receive the flu vaccine.
The city exercised its first POD site at Soka University in 2007, which resulted in the dissemination of more than 1,000 flu vaccines.
For more information about this one-day event, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/freeflushot/.
Kelly Tokarski
KT Community Relations