Big demand for swine flu vaccine closes Washtenaw County clinic line early

We've heard from parents that several local pediatricians have limited supplies of flu mist, and it apparently can't be given to kids with asthma and other health issues. If you have an otherwise healthy young child, try calling his/her pediatrician. The county clinics aren't the only source (for some).

County officials. Cut with the PANIC! Just distribute the stuff through your normal Dr's and clinics. This is absurd!
When it's available, people will get it!

I arrived at 6:15am and was about the 30th person in line. Although the doors were suppose to open at 9am they actually opened around 8am, which was nice. Everything seemed to run smoothly and I'm happy that my 13 year old daughter is now vaccinated. A couple hour wait beats being sick for a week. As far as I'm concerned this flu clinic was well run with friendly staff and I'd just like to say thank you to them for a job well done.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/107503/saturday-night-live-carter-n-sons-bbq

The county health department should be ashamed of themselves. These mass clinics are a total fiasco. Just distribute all the vaccine that they have to local doctors offices so we can take our kids to their pediatrician as opposed to waiting in a 3 hour line.

I got there at 7 am, and was pleasantly surprised to get wrist bands for my kids in about an hour. I've been impressed with the service.

Those limited supplies are reserved for high priority groups, including those who don't see local pediatricians.

My daughter's pediatrician suggested she get the vaccine because she has asthma. He gives them on Wednesday and Thursday mornings so I called and made an appointment for the following week. No wristband, no waiting in line for hours, no problem.

Can someone please explain why some pediatricians have the vaccine available and are distributing it to kids in the highest priority group, while some of us whose pediatricians DON'T have it (or are restricting it more strictly) have to wait for hours in line at these mass clinics? I really don't get it.

What a fiasco! I'm so glad that someone that works for the county thinks that it's "efficient" and "fast" for 800 people to wait in line just to get turned away. How about we sign up online and you give those that make the deadline a 15-minute window to get their vaccines, like a Disney "fast pass"?

Or is there something about Soviet-like breadlines you prefer?

Like xyz, I too arrived at 7 and we were in and out by 9. Sorry for you all that missed out but the shortage has been well publisized and other counties have had just a long lines to get innoculations.

I waited on line early at the EMU clinic for my 4 year old and this one for my 9 year old. I called my wife in after I had secured the bands both times so she and the kids wouldn't have to wait in the cold. I saw many other parents do the same.

The first county clinic was a fiasco so the reports showed but the 2nd at EMU took many suggestions and was much better. This one was even more so. I understand it may have been difficult for some parents to do what I did but as I stated many others thought the same way and were accomodated.

Those pediatricians who have access to the vaccine are making it available to the those in the higher risk groups. Ours has not had it yet and I have signed up for their updates so I for one am thankful for the County.

As for fairness and efficiency, those nearer the head of the line had no complaints. We made some effort to attend this well ppublicized event knowing full well there were only so many to go around. How would a fast pass or signing up online be more fair than first come first serve? I suppose that would've been fair to those who can't afford a computer or internet? Perhaps even less fair to those out of work and/or who have had to cut back on expenses and therefore have less access also?

The wristband and queue has worked simply, fairly and efficiently for Wii consoles, concert tickets and various other similar High demand events. Again I sympathize with those who missed out, but you should stop griping and make a little more effort next time or work through your own pediatricians.

Thank you Washtenaw County Health Dept.

How is thousands of people waiting 2 hours for a simple flu shot "efficient" ?!?!?! Efficient for whom? To paraphrase The Princess Bride, I do not think that word means what you think it means. For comparison, we waited 10 minutes for our last flu shot.

Well, efficient for those like me who didn't have access through their regular physician for the Novell H1N1 Flu vaccine (which in case you hand'e heard is in short supply) and wanted the peace of mind of having their young ones innoculated.

Sure getting the regular seasonal flu shot within 10 minutes is easy enough from several different sources including some workplaces, supermarkets, pharmacies and your physician.

Let's compare apples to apples shall we?

My ped wouldn't give it to my 3 year old. I work and couldn't be at the weekday clinic. Today they open it up to other groups, and we get turned away. How about making sure the HIGHEST risk groups get it b/f opening it up to others? I want it for myself and my 7 year old, too, but my 3 yo is supposed to be a priority! Geez.

Some doctor's offices have gotten doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, but it has been in very limited quantities because the county has said it received the vaccine in very limited quantities. That shortage of the vaccine is why the county says it needs to have these mass distributions so it can be sure to target those in the highest priority groups. The county made the decision to make the vaccine available to more groups after a vaccine clinic at Eastern Michigan University meant for the absolute highest priority groups failed to distribute all the vaccine available that day. If your pediatrician has the vaccine, but isn't making it available to your child, I've been told that it's likely because your child isn't eligible under that particular physician's guidelines (most are following CDC recommendations) or the child may simply not be a good candidate for the form of the vaccine, whether it be injectable or nasal mist, that's available that day.

I hear that if you don't get the shot you WILL die, even if you don't get the flu. I also heard that the earth is flat, so be careful & don't fall of the edge!

Lovely..People do realize that the nasal vaccine is a live virus and the person getting the nasal vaccine can shed the virus for up to 21 days, right? and if you know anyone that got the vaccine today, stay away from them for a while to help stop transmitting the virus..please! Oh and if you personally got the vaccine today, please stay away from people for at least two days.

Just if your getting the Nasal Spray look up virus shedding.

14.5 Transmission Study

FluMist contains live attenuated influenza viruses that must infect and replicate in cells lining the nasopharynx of the recipient to induce immunity. Vaccine viruses capable of infection and replication can be cultured from nasal secretions obtained from vaccine recipients. The relationship of viral replication in a vaccine recipient and transmission of vaccine viruses to other individuals has not been established.... Read More
Using the frozen formulation, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in a daycare setting in children years of age to assess the transmission of vaccine viruses from a vaccinated individual to a non-vaccinated individual. A total of 197 children 8-36 months of age were randomized to receive one dose of FluMist (n=98) or placebo (n=99). Virus shedding was evaluated for 21 days by culture of nasal swab specimens. Wild-type A (H3N2) influenza virus was documented to have circulated in the community
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/biologicsbloodvaccines/vaccines/approvedproducts/ucm182406.pdf

I cannot believe people whould actually stand in lines like the one shown in the picture for a vaccine. Wash your face and hands throughout the day. You probably became more likely catching something than if you would have just stayed home. Quit being so unbelieveably afraid people.

I appreciated the opportunity to get a vaccine at Pioneer today. For what it was, it was run very efficiently. The wristband process works great and I would much rather go twice for less than an hour each visit than stand in line for 5 hours while everyone gets their shot. Thanks to all the friendly and helpful people who worked at the clinic today and made it an organized process.

So sad! A 37 year old neighbor died yesterday from the H1N1 flu. He went to a local hospital who sent him home! Guess he was too old anyway for the shot?

The clinic held yesterday was a success. Why because of the EH and PH and volunteers who worked it. But don't forget it was a success because people came. The word was out that there was x amount of meds. People are aware that when they come there is a chance they won't be able to get their shots.
This is directed to those who complain. You appear to complain alot in this area. About every subject. Thank's should be give by you to have the freedom to do this.
Were you at the clinic? I believe not. I was and couldn't be more happier with the running of it. Yes I worked the clinic and met many of the people and their families during the day. As for the PANIC! that is caused by the media and not the Health Departments. Stop reading or listening to the news and you won't feel the PANIC! Have a Great Day.

Ya, if you wanted the shot and didnt want to wait 6 hours or more, you should have gotten there soon, I think I was two behind ChrisW up there and very happy the way things went, get there early and you dont have a line, be prepared to wait, if you are gonna show up late, when its so widely publiscized and also its for healthly 6 to 26 years oldsa nd think the line is gonna be only 200 ppl you got to be kidding, get a grip...plan and think instead of whine...i was also what some arent saying here, grateful the shot was free. the reg flu shot costs ya, very appreicative that we didnt have to pay for the shot, and the workers that put the thing on. next time at EMU, if youw ant to get it, get there early, and just deal with it, if not, dont whine cause you in a line, that was your choice to get there late.

I'm confused. On November 5th, the County had 4000 doses and at the end of the day had 1500 doses left over. On the 14th, a week and a half later, they had 2000 doses available. Did Washtenaw County really only get 500 doses in a week and a half? That would mean that as a County we're only getting 2000 doses per month. That can't be. How many doses did the County get and where are they going?

I don't want to go to a doctor's office to get my shot. The doctors' offices are full of people with live, full-strength virus. (The shot is killed virus and flu mist is weakened live virus.) If I went to the doctor's office I could get a shot of dead virus and lungs full of live virus at the same time. What good would the shot do?

We arrived at Pioneer at 8:45, we stood in line may half and hour before getting our wrist bands. We left and came back about 11:20 for our 11:30 time, waited another half an hour and then were done! It was so well organized and everything moved very quickly. I have asthma so I am very grateful to have been immunized. Thank you to all who worked at these clinics.

We are a group of handicapped people who have serious health problems and are in the allowed group. The first bus from Ypsi to Pioneer is 8:30 am which we were on. We arrived at Pioneer at 9:30 unfortunately too late to get a vaccine. If the bus left earlier we would of been happy to arrive at 6:00 am. We have scooters and wheelchairs, which a bus can only take two at a time, and because of these scooters and wheelchairs we cannot just ride in someones car. Now the next date is scheduled for Sunday Nov 22. No time announced yet. the earliest bus to the convocation center is 8:30am. So if they schedule for 8 or 9 am we probably will again arrive too late for a vaccination.

All i can do right now is phone the county on monday and mention this time issue, and hope they will schedule so we can make it. Of course the last bus back to ypsi is 6:30pm so the window of opportunity is small. We should be able to ride our scooters and wheelchairs up washtenaw to hewitt and the convocation center, but most of the way on washtenaw there is no sidewalk, or it changes from one side to the other randomly.
Right now all i can say is it SUCKS to be us.

To blueeyedpupil: Perhaps you could have someone you know (friend or family member) arrive early and get a wristband for you. You don't have to be there yourself to get a wristband. Then you could arrive later to get your vaccination. As far as I know, someone could get wristbands for all your handicapped friends!

What a continued fiasco! My wife and I are in the priority group (as our son is 5 months old) but there is now way I'm going to take a day off work or wait in line for hours to get a shot that might help. I feel safer performing the standard flu avoidance measures, rather than exposing myself and my son to these crowds.

Thanks a lot RB, I did not know that. Its a great idea. Again thanks.

To clarify, Washtenaw County has received approximately 30,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine; on average about 80 percent is going to hospitals, universities and community health care providers for their priority patients and staff. Public Health is using the roughly 20 percent remaining for mass vaccination clinics for priority groups. This is because many area residents do not have regular health care providers or their provider does not have the H1N1 vaccine available.

Tina Reed, the reporter on this story, is doing an excellent job of covering a complex issue. When we spoke on Saturday - I emphasized how mass vaccination is the fastest way for Public Health to disseminate the portion of the vaccine we are using. This wasn't meant to imply health care providers are not receiving vaccine - they definitely are.

Also, we are aware of the issue of public transportation to these clinics. We do apologize that those arriving via public transit Saturday could not get vaccinated. This is one of many reasons we've worked to site our clinics centrally. For the upcoming clinic at EMU on the 22nd, we will have to find a way to ensure that either public transportation can arrive earlier, or we can delay some or all wristband distribution. Thanks for your reminder - and please do call or email us with your suggestions in this area, blueyedpupil.

- Susan Cerniglia, Washtenaw County Public Health

Doesn't this demonstrate how wonderful government is in providing needed medical services? If GW Bush were still in office the press would be screaming mismanagement and govt. caused delays. In fact our current Secretary of State attacked him a few years ago when there was a shortage of the regular flu vaccine. Isn't the present situation similar?
Maybe if Obama stayed in the US for a while he could get enough vaccine made and distributed.

Welcome to government run health care!

For Tina - I forgot to thank you(!) for putting up the timely report on Saturday morning that the clinic at Pioneer was overflowing. That saved me a trip (by bike) to Pioneer. Timely notices of things like that, and the chance to express my appreciation, are some of the things I really like about the online format.

For Ms. Cerniglia - it seems clear at this point that the clinics should have more priority if you're opening up vaccinations to larger audiences. 4000 turned out to be too many for the smaller population being immunized at EMU. However, 2000 looks like far too few for the first clinic opening up to the larger at-risk adult + previous population. Also, please consider my earlier comment. I and others are trying very hard to avoid catching this flu using the standard methods. My wife and I have avoided getting it so far, even though both of our kids had H1N1, by strictly observing hand washing, masks for sick kids, avoid clearly ill people, etc. I'd much rather take my chances of catching the flu in a crowd of people who don't have it and want to get immunized, than in a waiting room of people who are coughing vigorously at my doctor's office.

the comment re: the line closing after 30 minutes is inaccurate. I got there at 9 am and stood in line until 10 am, I was almost at the door of the school when i was told that they were out of wrist bands.

Lorayn — While people in the line may not have been officially turned away, I spoke with several people standing in line who were warned there might not be enough vaccine for them shortly after 9 a.m. and by 9:30 a.m., officials were asking that no more people join the line. At that time, they said they had about 600 wristbands left and believed 800 to 900 people were standing in line.