Pharmacist Volunteers for Nationwide Vaccination Initiative
By Elaine Nguyen, PharmD, MHA
Pursuant to the Nationwide Emergency Declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was authorized to provide appropriate assistance for the required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in a designated area.
The State of Mississippi was one of the locations that needed assistance from FEMA to provide COVID vaccine and subcutaneous monoclonal antibody injections. Dr. Elaine Nguyen from the School of Pharmacy deployed to Mississippi to participate in response and recovery operations as part of President Biden’s Nationwide Vaccination Initiative. Dr. Nguyen assisted in COVID-19 vaccinations at a clinic in Vicksburg, MS and a hospital in Starkville, MS during both December 2021, and March 2022.
Those interested in volunteering to staff the Mission Assignments of FEMA, should sign up for free training and courses in the Incident Command System (ICS) and/or the elective course offered by Dr. Elaine Nguyen.
