1st H1N1 Vaccine Clinic Draws Huge Crowd

H1N1 Vaccination Clinic (Added: October 20, 2009)

Columbus Public Health held its first public clinic Tuesday for the high-risk population. (more)

0 Ratings | 0 Video Views

1st H1N1 Vaccine Clinic Draws Huge Crowd

People line up to get H1N1 vaccinations at Columbus Public Health's first public vaccine clinic. Vaccines only are available to those in high-risk groups.

By: Candice Lee | NBC4i.com
Published: October 20, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Carloads of people descended on Columbus Public Health to get their H1N1 influenza vaccines Tuesday afternoon.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

The clinic was the first for the public who are in these at-risk categories: health-care providers who provide direct patient care, pregnant women and caregivers of children younger than 6 months.

People lined up to get the vaccination circled the Columbus Public Health's Parsons Avenue building.

Health-care workers dressed in scrubs hustled into the clinic.

Pregnant women, whom health officials said are at the greatest risk, braved traffic and the long lines to be vaccinated.

Mothers pushing strollers lined up for the vaccine, too.

The clinic was held from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. CPH Spokesperson Jose Rodriguez said the clinic did 2312 vaccinations.

A second clinic was scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Grove City Recreation Center, 4665 Hoover Rd., Grove City.

Supplies are limited because of limited vaccine availability.

The vaccinations are free.

FluMist will be provided to health-care providers and caregivers of children younger than 6 months who are 49 years old and younger with no medical contraindication.

Officials said additional clinics will be offered for the other high-risk groups as soon as local public health departments receive additional vaccine.

The clinics are held on a first-come-first-served basis. You cannot schedule an appointment.

For more information, go to http://columbuspandemicflu.org or call 211.

The Licking County Health Department also is holding H1N1 vaccination clinics for the at-risk population. The clinics were to be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the department at 675 Price Rd., Newark.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video