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WRTV – Thousands Take Advantage Of Free H1N1 Clinic

About 2,500 Attend Clinic At Mall take advantage of free H1N1

About 2,500 people were inoculated Thursday morning in Marion County’s first H1N1 flu clinic. The vaccine, in both shot and nasal injection form, was given out for free over a four-hour period at Lafayette Square Mall, WRTV6News’ Tanya Spencer reported.

A long line began forming at 3 a.m., five hours before doors opened, packed with people worried that they might not get another chance to get the vaccine.

“I want to make sure I’m healthy enough to take care of my son,” said Joy Hendrick, who was one of the first people in line. “That’s why we got here as early as we did.”

Marion County Health Department officials said they were pleased with how smoothly the event went and were happy it concluded with an extra 500 vaccines still available. They had prepared to give out 3,000 doses.

The line was filled with those in the at-risk groups, including children, pregnant women and people with chronic health problems.

“It scares me to death. That’s every parent’s worst fear is their child contracting something that’s possibly terminal,” said Courtney Gurley.

Another 3,500 doses will be available for clinics over the weekend, but supply is unknown after that.

By 10 a.m., people who were just arriving at the clinic were waiting an hour or less to get through the process.

Although some were tired and others cranky, most families walked out feeling relieved, protected and fortunate to have gotten one of the first vaccines available in the county.

“I feel safer, definitely safer,” said Tori Peterson. “It’s definitely goo they got the vaccinations out here.”

Six additional free H1N1 clinics are planned Saturday at HealthNet sites across the county. H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines will be offered at each of those sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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