Finally... Forward Thinking

Its great to see University Hospital and the Metro Health department both conducting mobile flu shot delivery programs. If there is ever a pandemic flu incident which requires the vaccination of a large number of folks, these programs will provide valuable experience.

Kudo to both organizations!! The full article is below so you can read it even after it dissapears behind The CJ's paywall.

Drive-thru flu shot clinic a hit even in rain

By Katya Cengel
kcengel@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Ed Lincoln rolled down his car window, rolled up his shirtsleeve and, in a matter of minutes, had a flu shot.

Lincoln, 70, said both he and his wife, Helen, 69, are fans of University Hospital's Drive-Thru Flu Shot program, which was held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. yesterday and is planned again Tuesday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

The program was the first in the nation when it began in 1995. The annual program was moved and expanded this year to test the hospital's ability to help handle a mass, communitywide immunization.

"We wanted to see if we could be truly mobile," said Linda Goss, the hospital's director of infectious diseases.

The service was expanded from two lanes to three, and a second tent was added, separating the paperwork part from the actual shot, Goss said.

The result was the ability to service about 300 cars an hour instead of the usual 200.

And despite yesterday's foul weather, Goss said, everything went as planned. The effort indicated the hospital would, if necessary, be able to quickly administer antibiotics to a large number of people in a short time.

On Monday the Louisville Metro Health Department will conduct a similar test, administering free flu shots to 1,000 people starting at 11 a.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

And while the rain was expected to cut into the program's usual number of about 3,000 people served over two days, the weather actually prompted Tyrone Taylor to get his shot.

"I figured there would be less people out," said Taylor, who is 54 and lives in western Louisville.

Reporter Katya Cengel can be reached at (502) 582-4224.

Technorati Tags: Louisville Metro Health Department, University Hospital, preparedness, pandemic