Amanda Strudwick and her son Daniel, left, and Jen Jordan with her children, Addie, Dan, John and David (not pictured), read books and play Thursday along a partition in the Oakley Lindsay Center as they wait for their numbers to be called to get H1N1 vaccinations. (H-W Photo / Michael Kipley)
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Published: 11/5/2009 | Updated: 11/14/2009
By KELLY WILSON
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Amy Wiewel didn’t mind the wait Thursday afternoon to get her 7-month-old and 2-year-old sons their H1N1 influenza vaccines at the Oakley-Lindsay Center.
“They’re really going through (people) pretty quickly,” said Wiewel, who was sitting on the floor of the exhibit hall with some toys around to keep the boys occupied.
“We brought plenty of stuff, and we’re eating lunch,” she said as her husband held their youngest son. “We’re doing well, even though it’s nap time.”
The boys were among 1,650 children and adults who came through the OLC doors to get their vaccines.
“The swine flu does concern me,” Wiewel said of the H1N1 influenza. “I thought this (getting the boys vaccinated) was precautionary.”
The Adams County Health Department received 5,000 doses of vaccine, in both injectable and flu mist form, and will make plans early next week to determine how to distribute the remaining doses.
This is the third shipment of H1N1 vaccine the department has received. The first shipment, 500 doses in flu-mist form, was distributed during a public clinic Oct. 10. During a second public clinic Oct. 20, between 1,500 and 1,600 doses of injectable vaccine was delivered.
During the second clinic, held at the Health Department, people waited in long lines outside for hours to get the vaccine. The move to the Oakley-Lindsay Center Thursday was a huge help, said Julie Shepard, director of health promotion at the Health Department.
“This facility is really nice. It’s going great,” Shepard said during the first hour of the clinic. “It’s inside. It’s more comfortable. There are restrooms and seating, and ample parking.”
The Oakley-Lindsay Center donated the space for the clinic and opened its concession stand.
“Each time, we’re learning and doing it a little different,” Shepard said.
As people entered the center, they received a ticket and were directed to a large waiting area in the exhibit hall. About 50 numbers at a time were called for screening in another section of the hall, and then people proceeded to another area where about 12 health professionals were administering the vaccines.
In addition to Health Department staff, school nurses pitched in, as well as volunteers from the Adams County Medical Reserve Corps.
“This site is excellent,” said Nancy Bluhm, public health administrator. “We want to thank the Oakley-Lindsay Center for offering their site.”
Wait time was anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.
Shepard said most people understand that it takes time to vaccinate such large groups of people and that the wait is worth getting protection from H1N1 influenza.
“People have known people who have been sick, and they want that extra protection,” she said.
Only targeted populations were eligible for the vaccine Thursday.
She encourages people to call the county’s flu hotline at (217) 277-5900 for updates.
The hotline is manned by registered nurses, but beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, it will transition to an automated message.
“A majority of the calls that have been received recently have been nonmedical in nature,” Shepard said. “Therefore, the hotline will contain an informational message regarding upcoming clinics and general information regarding the flu and symptoms.”
Residents who need specific medical advice are encouraged to contact their health-care provider.
— kwilson@whig.com/221-3391
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly indicated the hotline would be transitioned to an automated message on Friday, Nov. 13.
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