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Marcia J. Liem, RN, BSN, Stephanie Faren, RN, MSN/MPH, and Ferlie Villacorte, RN, MSN/MPH. County of Los Angeles, Immunization Program, Bioterrorism Vaccine-Preventable Disease Unit, 3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90010, 213-351-7337, mliem@dhs.co.la.ca.us
The terrorist attacks of September 2001 prompted the nation to address the real threat of a bioterrorism attack. The global cessation of smallpox vaccination in 1980, left generations of immunologically susceptible individuals in the U.S. population vulnerable to smallpox’s use as a bioterrorism agent. In response to these concerns, the County of Los Angeles was charged with developing plans to vaccinate its diverse population of nearly 10 million within days of a smallpox event.
Public health nurses working in the County of Los Angeles Immunization Program, Bioterrorism Vaccine-Preventable Disease Unit lead the coordination of a multi-jurisdictional, interdisciplinary workgroup, linking public health programs, emergency management services, law enforcement, and community agencies in the development of a mass smallpox vaccination clinic exercise.
The workgroup initially served as a forum to discuss planning issues, but in time exposed vast logistical requirements, as well as complex training and staffing needs. What resulted was truly a multi-jurisdictional exercise involving agencies from all corners of Los Angeles County as well as over 1000 patient volunteers and 800 trained staff.
Public health nurses played a vital roll in achieving not only a successful exercise, but also a comprehensive evaluation. This process validates the public health nurse’s role as collaborator, coalition-builder, and educator at a systems level of disaster preparedness planning.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to
Keywords: Collaboration, Bioterrorism
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.