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Point of Distribution (POD) clinic sites
What is a Point of Distribution (POD) clinic site?
A Point of Distribution (POD) clinic site is a location that people can go to in order to receive medication or vaccine to protect themselves against a health threat. Examples of situations where POD clinic sites may be opened include bioterrorist events (e.g., anthrax,plague, smallpox) and natural events (e.g., pandemic influenza). POD clinic sites may be opened throughout
How will a POD clinic operate?
Announcements will be made through the media (e.g., television, radio, newspaper, internet) on who should come to a POD clinic site, and where and when POD clinic sites will be opened. People who come to a POD clinic site will be registered, provided education on the health threat and the medication or vaccine being offered, and have their medical history screened to determine if there are contraindications to treatment. If no contraindications exist, people will then be provided the medication or vaccine being offered. For people that may have potential problems with the treatment, licensed medical professionals will be available to determine the appropriate course of action.
What do I need to bring to a POD clinic?
In order to get as many through the POD clinic as possible, it will be necessary that people come prepared to the POD clinic site. You should have the following information readily available when you arrive:
- Driver’s License or other form of government identification (for yourself and for others you may be getting medication for)
- Your medical history, including medical conditions, allergies, medications you are currently taking
- Weights of all children you are seeking treatment for – this is important to ensure that children will receive the proper dose
If there is not enough medication or vaccine for everyone in the County, how will it be prioritized?
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health regarding whom medication or vaccine should be prioritized. This model has been followed consistently in Suffolk County , most recently during the influenza vaccine shortage of 2004.
What can I do if I am not on the prioritization list for medication or vaccine?
Information regarding ways the public can reduce its risk of disease from the health threat will be published by the health department through the media. In the event of pandemic influenza, there are several things you can do to decrease your risk of getting sick. For more information, you can visit the Department’s Pandemic Influenza Page. |
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