COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Public Health officials tell NBC 4 that they have already reached the capacity for the H1n1 vaccine clinic scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Hundreds of people began lining up at the Ohio Historical Society on Velma Avenue Wednesday morning.
Officials said they closed the gates at about 1:50 p.m. and asked those en route to turn around.
Columbus Public Health has about 1,500 vaccines for Wednesday's clinic, NBC 4's Ellie Merritt reported.
At about 2:30 p.m., the line was wrapped around the parking lot and people were being creative to stay entertained. Some were reading while others played football on the lawn.
Health officials said workers will remain on site until the vaccine runs out. The clinic was servicing about 250 people each hour and by 5 p.m., they had vaccinated more than 800 people.
The first person in line for Wednesday's clinic arrived at 7:30 a.m.
"I saw that on the news that so many people had come to the other ones…if I had come any later, she might not have gotten the shot," a mother said.
Chris Knoester and his family barely made the cut-off. They were last in line.
"Well, we don't actually have the shot yet, but assuming that goes alright, it would be a relief," Knoester said while waiting.
In all, 1380 people were vaccinated at the clinic and health officials said they were happy that the turnout included groups they've been targeting, including pregnant women, minorities and children.
The clinic was open ONLY to children 6 months through 4 years of age; pregnant women; adult caregivers of children under 6 months of age; and medical care staff who provide direct patient care to potential patients with H1N1. The vaccinations will be provided free of charge. Flu Mist will be provided to all persons age 2 to 49 with no medical contraindication.
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