Last Friday, the Three Rivers Health District and local partners conducted a biological event training exercise simulating a coordinated public response to a novel influenza A virus.

VDH notes that Virginia faces ongoing risks from naturally occurring biological events,‑ such as flu or measles, as well as potential threats from terrorism.

The exercise offered training on Point of Dispensing (POD) sites using a drive thru vaccine distribution model. It tested both an open POD, representing distribution to the general public, and a closed POD, representing an agency like a hospital or free clinic either picking up medications for a group or bringing a group for vaccination.

Volunteers acting as patients were given cards describing their identities and circum‑stances to communicate to nurses. In one sce‑nario, a client was deaf and signing—the type of real world challenge responders could unex‑pectedly face, said VDH public information officer Stephanie Hudson. If a provider does not know sign language, they must quickly determine how to handle the situation.

Exercises like this reveal gaps, strengthen emergency plans, and help participants think through the range of scenarios they may encounter, she added. “The whole idea is to make sure we’re ready to get medication to people as quickly and efficiently as possible,” she said.

Participating localities included Middlesex, Mathews, Gloucester, and Richmond County. Agencies involved included EMS departments, sheriff’s offices, the Virginia State Police, and VDOT, which in such an event would play a role in traffic control.

Northern Neck Behavioral Health also par‑ticipated. In a real emergency, mental health professionals may be needed to support over‑whelmed staff or clients experiencing stress or a mental health crisis, said VDH District Director Brenden Rivenbark.

Richmond County Social Services part‑nered as well. For issues such as housing challenges or food insecurity, “we would want Social Services there to assist with what can be assisted with at that point in time,” Rivenbark said.

Photos: M. Smith