WTHR |Thousands turn out for H1N1 vaccine clinics

Thousands turn out for H1N1 vaccine clinics

Indianapolis - The Marion County Health Department's H1N1 vaccine clinic at Lafayette Square Mall gave its first injection at 3:01 pm Wednesday.

The injectable vaccine was given to a three year-old Indianapolis girl whose grandmother arrived at 9:15 am to hold a place in line for her granddaughter.

One woman who showed up early has an 18-month-old son named Nathan. She told Eyewitness News he has asthma and needs a nebulizer three times a day. "I'm hoping to get him the flu shot here this afternoon," she said.

A line of more than 1,200 people continues to make its way into the clinic area. The doors opened at 2:50 pm, allowing people to begin filling out required paperwork. Those standing in line were given tickets, ensuring they would receive a vaccine, beginning at 1:45 pm.

Tickets will be given until all vaccine available Wednesday has been accounted for. The clinic could serve at least 5,000 individuals. The clinic will continue until 7:00 pm.

A clinic will be held at the same location Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Although health department officials aren't verifying whether someone is high risk, they're asking that only people in high-risk groups attend the clinic. Those include pregnant women, anyone 6 months to 24 years of age, anyone between the ages of 25 to 64 with medical risks associated with a higher risk of flu complications (e.g. asthma, diabetes) and household and caregiver contacts of children younger than six months of age.

Nov. 7th clinic in Marion County

The Marion County Health Department will also hold a public H1N1 clinic Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., in the cafeteria of Warren Central High School.  The free clinic is only for those individuals in the high-risk category.

Those coming to the Warren Central High School campus should enter from East 21st Street and follow security officer directions to parking and the main entrance. The East 21st Street entrance is located between the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Warren Branch and Lakeside Elementary School.

Individuals coming to the clinic should expect to wait in long lines and dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Call the Marion County Health Department's flu hotline at 221-3366 with any questions about the vaccine or vaccine availability.

Hamilton County

Also Wednesday afternoon, the Hamilton County Health Department is holding a public priority group H1N1 clinic at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. The clinic runs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm or until the vaccine supply (now 800 doses) runs out. That clinic is also limited to high-risk priority groups.

Health Department5 workers are handing out numbered papers at the Hamilton County clinic. Those that don't get a paper will be told to leave. They plan to start around 3:45 pm with eight registered nurses from the Visiting Nurse Service administering the shots.

Johnson County

The Johnson County Health Department will hold an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic on Nov. 9th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin (use the far west entrance off Jefferson Street). That clinic is also limited to high risk groups as noted above. Call 736-3130 for questions about vaccine availability in Johnson County.

Johnson County will also offer clinics on Nov. 17th (5:00 to 8:00 pm) and Nov. 18th (7:00 to 11:00 am).

Madison County

Madison County's Health Department is holding a drive-through clinic at Hoosier Park in Anderson Wednesday night from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. 2,400 doses for the H1N1 vaccine will be given out to people in high-risk groups.

Madison County will also hold a clinic for the H1N1 vaccine on Nov. 12th at 6:00 pm at the Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

Flu info