WTHR |Over 3,500 get H1N1 vaccine; another clinic Thursday

Over 3,500 get H1N1 vaccine; another clinic Thursday

Some people waited up to three hours in a line that snaked around the Lafayette Square Mall. Local health officials were prepared to vaccinate up to 5,000 people. 3,782 people got the vaccine Wednesday.

Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Health Department, praised residents for their patience as they waited in line. Some arrived at 9:00 am even though the clinic didn't open until 3:00 pm.

Health officials say a line of 1,500 people was present for most of the clinic. The first person to get the vaccine Wednesday was a three-year-old Indianapolis girl whose grandmother saved her spot in line at 9:00 am. The last person to get the vaccine did so at 9:05 pm. The clinic was taking new patients until 7:00 pm.

The health department will hold another free H1N1 vaccination clinic Thursday at Lafayette Square Mall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Another free H1N1 clinic will be held Saturday at Warren Central High School. The Warren Central clinic will be held in the cafeteria from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm Individuals coming to the Warren site are asked to enter from East 21st Street and follow security officer direction for parking and the clinic entrance.

The health department is also planning to begin vaccinating IPS students starting next Monday. Parents of elementary-aged students should be looking for information and a consent form in the next two weeks. The consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school in order for the student to receive the vaccine. There is no cost for the vaccine.

Individuals with flu-related questions can contact the Marion County Health Department 221-3366 Flu Helpline. The bi-lingual helpline is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Other clinics:

Five more clinics are planned at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville on November 9th, 16th (10:00 am to 2:00 pm), 18th, 21st (4:00 to 8:00 pm) and 25th (noon to 4:00 pm). About 500 doses will be available at each clinic.

Johnson County will hold a clinic at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin on November 9th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm.