Goffstown flu clinic to help train first responders

[Commonground]

By JILLIAN JORGENSEN
Union Leader Correspondent
8 hours, 36 minutes ago
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GOFFSTOWN ? Those in need of a seasonal flu shot can get one free this weekend -- all while helping the first responders in Goffstown become more prepared to respond to major public health emergencies.
"This particular clinic, we're going to have 500 doses available and it's first-come, first-served," Goffstown Fire Chief Richard O'Brien said.
The free seasonal flu vaccine clinic will be held Saturday at Goffstown High School as part of Operation Rapid Rx, a statewide public health exercise aimed at training first responders to handle a public health emergency, such as a biological attack or outbreak of an illness. The training focuses on managing and distributing medical supplies, delivering emergency public information and warnings, and emergency operations center capabilities.


O'Brien said the training is designed to make sure that "in the event of any health hazard or health response, we're able to mobilize fairly quickly to either dispense medication or give a vaccination."


"In this particular case, we're ready to mobilize and set up this clinic, and have plenty of personnel there either to give a shot or what we call the flu mist," which is a nasal spray version of the vaccine, he said.


Goffstown is one of seven "points of dispensing" across the state, and will serve residents of New Boston as well.


The vaccine is available to anyone age 9 or older, but the uninsured or under-insured are especially encouraged to come to the clinic, because the vaccines are free, O'Brien said.
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The clinic kicks off at 9 a.m. and finishes at noon. It will be conducted by the Goffstown and New Boston police and fire departments, Goffstown Emergency management, SAU 19, Goffstown/New Boston Community Emergency Response Team, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Safety.


http://www.unionleader.com/article....rticleId=8ae24865-c5b9-456d-8667-588b9a900b1a