Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@collincountytx.gov

Marco Montes, TDH
817-264-4656
marco.montes@tdh.state.tx.us

June 8, 2004

Collin County and the Texas Department of Health to collaborate on a Mass Smallpox Vaccination Exercise Tomorrow

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County will partner with the Texas Department of Health as well as other emergency response and health care agencies in Region 2/3 (North Texas) to conduct a Mass Smallpox Vaccination Exercise tomorrow, June 9th. The event will take place at McKinney North High School in McKinney, TX, and will include hundreds of volunteers and volunteer “actors,” going through a mock Smallpox vaccination clinic. Officials believe this may be the largest emergency exercise conducted in North Texas and the only public health emergency exercise conducted by TDH in Texas this year.

The goal of the exercise is for the various departments and agencies to learn how best to manage and communicate during a broad-reaching public health emergency.

During the exercise, volunteer actors will congregate at the school to receive simulated Smallpox vaccinations. Nurses, physicians, first responders and supporting departments from health departments throughout the region will staff the event.

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