Marion County holds H1N1 vaccine clinic Wednesday

Indianapolis - The Marion County Health Department is getting ready to vaccinate thousands more residents at a clinic Wednesday afternoon. By 3:00 pm, thousands of people were in line waiting for a chance to get vaccinated.

Marion County is offering H1N1 vaccinations Wednesday and Thursday (November 4th and 5th) at the Lafayette Square Mall. Hours are 3:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Thursday.

About 5,000 doses (2,000 FluMist doses; 3,000 injectable) will be available at Wednesday's clinic. Last week, Marion County had 3,000 doses for a clinic and did not run out.

About 100 people were already lined up at noon, but health department officials say it's possible that people can arrive later and still get the vaccine without having to wait so long. Tickets will be given out at 2:30 pm.

Many people who showed up early were holding places for other family members who will turn up later. The health department says if those other family members are not present when their number is called, they will be moved to the back of the line.

One woman who showed up early has an 18-month-old son named Nathan. She told Eyewitness News he has asthma and needs a nebulizer three times a day. "I'm hoping to get him the flu shot here this afternoon," she said.

Another woman showed up at 9:15 am to secure a spot for her 19-month-old granddaughter. She said her family had been turned away at another clinic, which ran out of vaccine.

Although health department officials aren't verifying whether someone is high risk, they're asking that only people in high-risk groups attend the clinic. Those include pregnant women, anyone 6 months to 24 years of age, anyone between the ages of 25 to 64 with medical risks associated with a higher risk of flu complications (e.g. asthma, diabetes) and household and caregiver contacts of children younger than six months of age.

Nov. 7th clinic

The Marion County Health Department will also hold a public H1N1 clinic Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., in the cafeteria of Warren Central High School. The free clinic is only for those individuals in the high-risk category.

Those coming to the Warren Central High School campus should enter from East 21st Street and follow security officer directions to parking and the main entrance. The East 21st Street entrance is located between the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Warren Branch and Lakeside Elementary School.

Individuals coming to the clinic should expect to wait in long lines and dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Call the Marion County Health Department's flu hotline at 221-3366 with any questions about the vaccine or vaccine availability.

Hamilton County

Also Wednesday afternoon, the Hamilton County Health Department is holding a public priority group H1N1 clinic at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. The clinic runs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm or until the vaccine supply (500 doses) runs out. That clinic is also limited to high-risk priority groups.

Johnson County

The Johnson County Health Department will hold an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic on Nov. 9th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin (use the far west entrance off Jefferson Street). That clinic is also limited to high risk groups as noted above. Call 736-3130 for questions about vaccine availability in Johnson County.

Johnson County will also offer clinics on Nov. 17th (5:00 to 8:00 pm) and Nov. 18th (7:00 to 11:00 am).

Flu info

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