Stanislaus County – The smallpox emergency preparedness event taking place in Stanislaus County
Thursday, May 19, 2005 starting at 10 a.m. at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock will occur rain or shine. Hundreds of volunteers will participate in this event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is being coordinated by the Health Services Agency of Stanislaus County.

A media briefing will occur at 10 a.m. in Building E-4, which is an outdoor covered stage area (see attached map). Please use the fairgrounds entrance on the corner of Canal Drive and North Broadway. Please check in with security at the entrance of the event. Media kits will be distributed.

Special Media Entrance and Parking: Media are asked to enter through Gate 2, which is located on North Broadway. They will be directed to special parking.

Photo Opportunities for: registration, screening, video education of participants and simulated smallpox vaccination including swabbing of vaccination sites and simulation of vaccination using small, blunt plastic sticks. Best visuals available before noon.

The exercise will be conducted to test the Health Service Agency’s plans and capabilities to mass dispense smallpox medication to prevent the spread of disease. The exercise is being funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This is a simulation only. No smallpox vaccine will be present at the Fairgrounds location.