shots093009
On the homepage
Vita.mn
Out There
Sunday's paper
View Finder
Home | Lifestyle | Health + Wellness
Ramsey County holds mass vaccination drill 'Operation Big Shot'
Ramsey County health officials have come up with a novel way to prepare for what's called the novel H1N1 flu: Operation Big Shot
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from Health + Wellness
Ramsey County health officials have come up with a novel way to prepare for what's called the novel H1N1 flu.
They're holding a mass vaccination drill called "Operation Big Shot" today to test their ability to immunize a lot of people quickly.
The drill, to be held at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, will be run in two sessions, this morning and this afternoon.
Officials are counting on about 300 volunteers to conduct the drill alongside about 200 health department staff members. They emphasized that staffers will not dispense actual vaccinations.
Instead, volunteers acting as patients will be spotted with a marker as health department staffers refine the best way to operate a vaccine clinic for a large number of people.
To entice volunteers, they will be given a $10 gas card after their shifts.
While the exercise is designed to be helpful in planning for swine flu, officials say it may not be the exact model that St. Paul and Ramsey County Public Health choose for public health vaccinations.
Operation Big Shot is one of several training exercises health officials in Ramsey County conduct each year and was scheduled prior to the emergence of the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Recent Health + Wellness stories
How I got this body: Mason Jennings, 34, musician - September 29, 2009
How I got this body: Mason Jennings, 34, musician - As Minnesota singer/songwriter Mason Jennings travels the country performing tunes from his latest album, "Blood of Man," he doesn't leave his yoga mat and meditation practice behind. More
 Open House ShowcaseThousands of homes open this weekend!View all open houses >> View all homes for sale >>  Save Your $$ With CouponsDiscounts on services, entertainment, dining, gifts, and more. Start saving! |
Win tickets to Vita.mn's second annual Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco at St. Louis Park's Roller Gardens.Vita.mn and Ragstock present the second annual Snowball: An Old School Funk and Rollerdisco at St. Louis Park's Roller Gardens on Dec. 11. |
Comment on this story | Read all 5 comments | Hide reader comments