PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Pike County Health Department’s Preparedness Program is holding free drive-thru flu shot clinics at three high schools October 2, 2009, practicing for its role as first responder in the event of a public health emergency. The clinics will be open to citizens in three states from 10 a.m. to noon at Belfry, East Ridge, and Shelby Valley high schools.

In the event of a public health emergency, like release of anthrax or a pandemic of influenza, it would be the responsibility of the Pike County Health Department (PCHD) to provide medications or vaccinations to the citizens of Pike County, officials stated. Also, the department is aware that the size and location of the county would most likely attract citizens from both West Virginia and Virginia.

“That is why we have been working with these states to ensure everyone who is in need of a treatment will receive it.,” Pike health department officials reported. “We will be partnering with both Mingo County, West Virginia and Buchannon County, Virginia on our October 2, exercise.”

At least one of the drive thru lanes at the Belfry High School site will be devoted to West Virginia residents, and one lane at East Ridge High School will be devoted to Virginia citizens. Since 2003, health departments across Kentucky have been provided funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to develop plans for any type of public health emergency, and funding to train staff to respond to them.

The health department announced it had four goals for the flu clinic — to practice emergency response plans, see how many people it can provide treatment to within two hours, provide free flu vaccinations to the community, and ensure the ability to work/partner across state lines.

Public health is usually not viewed as a first responder like police, EMT’s, and fire fighters, but it has been a silent first responder for many years, health department officials say. In 1918, the Spanish flu swept around the world and public health responders were used to provide care and treatment for people suffering from the tragic illness. In April 2009 public health was been tested again with the existence of the new influenza virus the H1N1 or Swine Flu Influenza.

Pike County is yet to confirm a case of H1N1, but there have been several positives on the rapid flu tests at local physicians offices, the health department reported. A confirmed test requires additional testing at the state laboratory. Local physicians offices are only submitting samples of people who tested positive on the rapid test if the patients are pregnant, hospitalized, or in an institution, for example a nursing home. The state is only requesting further testing on those patients.

“We have advised and continue to advise all people who have been diagnosed with the flu to treat it like they may have H1N1 or Swine Flu,” health department officials said. “We ask people to remember these important things during this H1N1 and beginning of the regular flu season — get plenty of rest, drink ample fluids, cough into your sleeve, wash your hands often, remember not to touch your eyes or mouth, stay home if you are sick, and get a seasonal flu shot.”

The H1N1 vaccine will be available in mid to late October and will be available first for pregnant women, healthcare workers, people aged 6 months-24 years, household contacts of children less than 6 months, and people aged 24-64 years with underlying health conditions.