It could be avian flu.
Or an anthrax attack.
Whatever the outbreak, Howard health officials want to deploy vaccines or medications quickly to thousands of county residents.
Next month, they are planning a full-scale drive-through flu vaccination clinic ? likely the largest in the country? to test their response abilities.
“This is an exercise in how quickly we can get people through a clinic like this,” said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard?s health officer.
Officials are aiming to vaccinate 4,000 residents, twice as many as last year, and the shots will be offered for free this year.
To accommodate the numbers, drivers will be triaged, divided into adults and families, and ushered into two different parking areas off Columbia Gateway Drive for shots.
Families can be vaccinated at 15 stations, and eight stations will be dedicated to adults.
Traffic will be directed in one direction to try to avoid backups and the hour and a half wait many experienced last year.
“We?re quite confident we?ll be having a much smoother trek through this vaccination process than we?ve had in years past,” Beilenson said.
The exercise will help county emergency response officials prepare for a disaster, Police Chief William McMahon said.
“We do a lot of talking and planning and buying equipment, but every once in a while we have to put these assumptions and planning to the test,” McMahon said.
The fire department also will have a hand in the action, providing logistical support and helping facilitate the exercise, Fire Chief Joseph Herr said.
Health officials also want to prevent the virus that kills about 36,000 in the United States each year.
“The flu is a serious issue,” Beilenson said, adding older residents, those with immune deficiencies and very young children are the most at risk, but those who are likely to transmit the virus to vulnerable residents also should be vaccinated, he said.
“We?re encouraging everyone to participate,” Beilenson said.
IF YOU GO
What: Howard County drive-through flu vaccine clinic
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4
Where: Columbia Gateway Drive, enter from Route 175
