SIERRA VISTA - Cochise County health officials are going to be putting their pandemic preparedness to the test, and they're asking for the public's help.

In an attempt to assess the effectiveness of its mass vaccination process, the county Health Department is holding a preparedness exercise on Jan. 20. There will be free influenza vaccinations to the first 100 adults, ages 18 and older, who show up at the Health Department office in Douglas, 515 Seventh St., for the drill.

Aimed at testing the clinic's speed in vaccinating large quantities of people in the event of a health emergency, the exercise is designed to identify potential staffing needs. The upcoming drill is just one of several different training exercises the county health department's bio-terrorism division will be facilitating throughout the year.

"The Health Department has been working hard to ensure that we can be as prepared as possible for any health hazard," said Vaira Harik, the department's health director. "This is our opportunity to put our plan into action so we need the help of the public. Our goal is to be ready to help the community."

Timing of the exercise is most beneficial for those who have not yet received their flu shots, Harik added.

"We are in the peak months of flu season, so it is the perfect time to get a flu shot," she said.

"We have no special requirements for people to participate. Any adult can participate in this clinic exercise, no matter where they live, and it's free."

The vaccination clinic will provide a regular seasonal flu vaccine for adults only.

This exercise will not include children's flu vaccine and will not include nasal mist. Only 100 doses of the vaccine will be available, so once it's gone, or at the scheduled end of the exercise, the clinic will close its doors.

For information, contact the county Health Department at 432-9400.