TUBA CITY, AZ—Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC), in partnership with local schools, Navajo Nation and Navajo Area Indian Health Services, is currently planning a Mass Flu Immunization Exercise on October 7th, 2009. This exercise is a unique opportunity to plan, practice, evaluate and improve TCRHCC’s response to a large-scale public health emergency.
In an effort to practice for a public health emergency, TCRHCC has created PODs (Point of Delivery) for the community to receive care- in this case, receive a flu shot. In an event of a public health emergency, POD sites are created to distribute medications, vaccines or antidotes to the community. POD sites can also be used to distribute emergency supplies, such as drinking water, food, and clothing, for other types of emergency events.
To make this year’s exercise as real as possible, the public is invited to attend and receive a seasonal flu shot. Seasonal Influenza vaccinations are recommended for everyone over the age of six months, especially children, pregnant women and those individuals with chronic illnesses. The flu shot will be this year’s seasonal flu vaccine but will not include the new H1N1 flu vaccine.
This year, PODs are designated at local schools and a chapter house. The designated PODs are to be placed around the most populated areas of our community.
October 7, 2009
Dzil Libei (Cameron) School
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. DST
October 7, 2009
Eagles Nest Intermediate School
7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. DST
October 7, 2009
LeChee Chapter House
1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. DST
October 7, 2009
Moencopi Day School-Library
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. MST
October 7, 2009
Tonalea Chapter House
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. DST
October 7, 2009
Tsinabaas Habitiin (Gap) School
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. DST
October 7, 2009
Tuba City High School
7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. DST
We are encouraging parents at each school site to allow their child aged 5-18 to participate during the Mass Flu Immunization exercise. Children in this age range are more likely to get the flu and spread it to other individuals, including those who are at high risk for influenza-related complications.
Flu shots are free to Native American Beneficiaries. Non-beneficiaries will have to pay a fee of $25.00.
For more information, contact TCRHCC Community Relations at 928-283-2993 or e-mail aurelia.yazzie@tchealth.org.
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