Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Over 4,500 throughout Bucks County got their flu shot Saturday during the eight annual pandemic flu drill Saturday.
The busiest location was at Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol Township.
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County spokesman Christopher Edwards said a line of 300 to 400 people waited at the school for the 11 a.m. opening of the mobile vaccination center.
The drill wasn’t just about making sure residents don’t get sick – it was really about making sure first responders are ready to quickly vaccinate a large amount of people in case of an emergency.
In a change from past years events, officials barred residents from bringing bags and personal items to the drill. The new security measure went into effect this year due to the large amount of people gathered in one place, which could pose a ripe target for those wanting to cause chaos.
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Police from the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) arrived at the school at 6 a.m. to sweep the building and make sure the area was safe for health workers and the public to arrive. The Major Incident Response team is made up of officers from police agencies around the county, who provide are force multipliers in times of need. Philadelphia Police Department Homeland Security Unit officers also helped county crews at Truman.
Morrisville resident Marianne Mclean said she thought the event went well.
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“This is my first time coming here for the shot,” she said. “It was quick, easy – and free.”
Other vaccination locations were in Northampton, Doylestown and Souderton.
