County's handling of H1N1 vaccinations worth praising
Public Forum:
Over the course of the last several months, Waukesha County has administered the much anticipated H1N1 flu vaccination to Waukesha County residents through large vaccination clinics. To date, the Waukesha County Division of Public Health has immunized nearly 14,000 adults and children in Waukesha County. Many months of planning, hours of hard work and hundreds of volunteers have made these clinics a success.
As early as July, Waukesha County employees, under the direction and leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Public Health, began preparing for these clinics. A task force was formed with representation from many sectors of the community: healthcare, law enforcement, education, business and others. Waukesha County worked closely with partners from Waukesha County municipalities and from the public and private sectors to identify the needs of the community to determine the best way to deliver the vaccine in the most efficient and effective method possible.
I am proud of the hard work by the individuals that made these clinics so successful. Faced with the difficult task of orchestrating such a large operation, the staff and volunteers put their best effort forward week after week and did it with a smile on their face.
I am also grateful for the patience and cooperation of Waukesha County residents during this process. In the early stages of administering the vaccine, Waukesha County adhered to state and federal recommendations that the vaccine be limited to a smaller, specific segment of the population. Those who wanted the vaccine but were not in the target groups understood these recommendations and patiently waited their turn. I realize that, at times, lines to receive the vaccine were long, but residents waited and treated the clinic volunteers with courtesy and respect. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.
After we receive future shipments of vaccine, Waukesha County will hold additional clinics for the public and will work hard to distribute the vaccine. The H1N1 flu virus is a serious virus, and it is important that Waukesha County do what it can to prevent the spread of the disease.
Thank you again for your efforts in making the mass vaccination clinics smooth and successful.
Your continued cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Dan Vrakas
Waukesha County executive
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