H1N1 vaccine clinics distribute hundreds of doses; thousands available

Roseville, Minn. -- With 5,700 doses of Flu Mist on hand, Ramsey County Public Health held two public flu vaccination clinics this weekend. It gave out just over 700 doses at a clinic Friday night.

So in an effort to boost turnout on Saturday, it expanded who was eligible for the vaccine. Still, it gave out fewer doses today, just 662.

By 9 a.m., nearly 200 people were lined up in the chilly Saturday morning air outside North Heights Lutheran Church in Roseville.

Shirley Garcia was thrilled all three of her kids could get the H1N1 Flu Mist today.

Garcia says, "There are certain places that would only give them up to 8 years old. So today I'm just going to get them all done."

Ramsey County expanded vaccine eligibility today to all healthy kids, ages 2 to 24.

Jane Norbin with Ramsey County Public Health says, "Our goal it to get that out to everybody so we were able to expand our age ranges today."

Recipients didn't even have to live in Ramsey County. They could have insurance or be without. The vaccine was free.

Garcia called it, "Very organized. It went very fast."

Kim Fenzl of White Bear Lake had her three children vaccinated and said, "I think it's great that you had the opportunity to get this and the fact that it's no cost."

There's no debate the H1N1 vaccine has been in high demand. But despite the fact the county had nearly 5,000 doses available today, there wasn't even a line for the vaccine just an hour and half after the clinic opened.

Norbin is concerned that since cases of H1N1 have recently declined, interest in the vaccine may have too. But she says, don't let your guard down. "We're very concerned. There could be another wave after the first of the year. We don't know what's going to happen and this would be a good time for people to take a breath [and] get vaccinated as vaccine becomes more available."

Tim Nelson of St. Paul had his two children vaccinated. He says, "I'm really concerned about what will happen in the future and we're have glad to have taken this step today."

While cases of H1N1 are declining, health officials warn those upcoming Thanksgiving gatherings have the power to change all that.

Ramsey County health officials say the remaining four thousand doses of flu mist will go to their community clinics and possibly to a future public health clinic.

Fairview Health Services also held clinics today but those were for high risk children and nearly 500 kids got the H1N1 flu shot. Fairview is holding more H1N1 clinics on Tuesday. 

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