We have an exciting opportunity to be a part of public health in action. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) will be holding immunization clinics this weekend for H1N1. Volunteers are needed to be runners, line staff, survey interviewers and evaluators. Volunteer shifts are 9-1 and 12-4 on November 21. Students are welcome to work the full day if available. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. This is a great way to meet the ACHD staff and be a part of public health in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, December 2
Conference room 109 Parran Hall
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Topic: "The 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic: Lesson Learned (and Lessons We're Still Learning)"
SPHERE students Sara Marshall, Mary Elizabeth Kovacic, Lauren Hudak and Travis Rabbit worked with the Allegheny County Health Department on September 8th at the PNC Park seasonal influenza vaccination event at the Pittsburgh Pirates versus Chicago Cubs game. The ACHD vaccination coalition nurses and SPHERE students set up the portable clinic in a Region-14 support trailer in front of PNC Park where SPHERE volunteers distributed influenza vaccination information, registration forms and answered questions regarding vaccination safety, vaccination for different influenza strains, and precautions critical to protect against seasonal influenza infection. Among visitors to the vaccination clinic were the Pirates Parrot and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Everette James. Thanks to the ACHD, PNC Park and the Pittsburgh Pirates for recruiting SPHERE for this event!
SPHERE is an organization of University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health students and community members interested in epidemic response, increasing community preparedness, and gaining hands-on experience. SPHERE members participate in outbreak or disaster response activities with local and state health departments, attend monthly meetings, participate in epidemiological investigation trainings, and volunteer at community health events and promotions. All Masters and Doctoral students enrolled at the Graduate School of Public Health or Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response Certificate Program are eligible for SPHERE membership.
Funded through the Center for Public Health Practice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreement number U90/CCU324238-05-2