No lines for Washtenaw County H1N1 vaccine clinic today at Eastern Michigan University
Still looking to get the swine flu vaccine? There's no wait at the Washtenaw County vaccine clinic being held this afternoon at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center.
Officials announced earlier this week the swine flu, or H1N1 flu, vaccine would become available to the general public. They estimated they'd be able to administer about 2,500 doses between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.
Washtenaw County is offering the swine flu vaccine to the general public for the first time today.
About 1,000 wristbands, which indicate there is a dose available for an individual, were handed out yesterday. Additional wristbands are still being handed out.
Those who having been arriving this afternoon haven't been experiencing any waits to get the vaccine.
Long lines and waits occurred during other H1N1 flu vaccine clinics last month when the access to the vaccine was limited. At the time, health officials were only allowing those who were determined to be at the highest risk of getting the flu and having complications from the flu to get vaccinated.Â
Those groups included pregnant women, health care workers, caregivers of children under the age of 6 months, young people ages 6 months through 24 years old, people with underlying health conditions between the ages of 25 and 64.
Those who fall in the high risk categories are still being strongly encouraged to get the vaccine, officials from the state said this week.
There is no cost to get the vaccine at the clinic.
Children who are younger than 10 who received their vaccine at least 28 days ago and still need a booster shot can get that dosage at the county health clinic.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
JuliaAnnArb
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 11:07 a.m.
I got vaccinated yesterday and the process was quick and efficient. Everyone was very friendly and even took the time to look for my son's dropped mitten. (Found it in the parking lot, BTW.) Thanks!
AAJoker
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:58 p.m.
Great clinic, though I felt guilty that it was so easy!
Ricebrnr
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:29 p.m.
Got mine and the two kids got their boosters. Filling the damn forms out just so took the longest. No waiting, in and out. Third time going was the charm! Thanks to Washtenaw County Health Dept.
Tina Reed
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.
Dading - this is the first H1N1 flu vaccine clinic where anyone in the general public can get the vaccine. It is planned to continue until about 7 p.m. this evening at the convocation center.
Cash
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 4:14 p.m.
Amazing set up at the clinic! I was done in 10 mins and just had to wait 10 mins before leaving to be sure I didn't have a reaction. Wonderful job done by all. Thanks for the information about the clinics, Tina.
SueQ
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 3:58 p.m.
I got my shot today. The system for processing people is very efficient. Kudos to whomever organized this terrific community service.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.
i thought that i wouldn't be able to get one. being the honest person that i am, i don't fit into the high risk groups, which in previous emu emails, came across to me that i had to be in those groups to even get it.
Tina Reed
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 3:31 p.m.
County officials said they will likely discontinue these mass vaccination clinics next week because it does seem enough vaccine is starting to get to the doctors' offices, and even some pharmacies, who chose to participate in distributing the H1N1 vaccine. The county will likely hold a walk-in clinic at one of its offices sometime next week that will extend into a weekday evening when residents can stop by after work.
KWaugh
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 3:24 p.m.
I agree, Bryan. It certainly has been tough for me to make these clinics.
Bryan123
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 2:53 p.m.
There's probably low turn out since most people have to be at work in the middle of the afternoon. It will be interesting to see if they have a lot of people show up just before 7 pm after they get off work. Hopefully in the future they'll offer a clinic on a weekend when more people can reasonably get there.