2,151 immunized in drive-through flu clinic

By the time the drive-through immunization clinic closed at 1 p.m. Saturday, 2,151 people had taken advantage of the free vaccination service offered by Carson City Health and Human Services.

"We had great traffic flow and the line was very efficient," said Melanie Bruketta, public information officer for the event. "The average wait was seven minutes."

Some waited as long as 22 minutes, she said, but that was attributed to families who had to fill out more than one form and received multiple immunizations.

The eighth annual clinic is the first of two to be offered by CCHHS. The next one will be a walk-through clinic in Minden.

"The annual flu vaccine event is a great opportunity for Carson Ciy residents and their families to receive flu vaccinations for free," said event coordinator Cortney Bloomer.

Besides offering vaccines, the clinic is an opportunity for the health department, city staff and community partners to practice and evaluate plans for public health preparedness, Bloomer said.

"Public Health Preparedness means planning and developing ways to respond quickly and effectively to threats endangering the health of our community. Some of these threats include West Nile Virus, food-borne illness, and of course, pandemic influenza," Bloomer wrote in a recent column for the Nevada Appeal.

"The Health Department works with partners in the community, neighboring counties and the state to make sure Carson City's response to possible disease outbreaks and other public health threats is timely and effective," she said.

The event tests the city's capabilities such as effective organization, logistics such as supply chain management, and the ability to answer questions from residents.

The Health Department expanded its efforts into surrounding areas as well, she said. Last year, additional free flu clinics were held in Douglas and Lyon counties, and a campaign to vaccinate children in area schools is now in its third year.