HOPKINS, Minn. -- Hennepin County held its first public H1N1 clinic Wednesday at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka. The shots and mist were available for kids aged six-months to 9-years-old. Health officials were prepared to handle up to 500 people an hour during the clinic hours.
RELATED: 5 new H1N1 flu deaths in Minn.; outbreak wanes
RELATED: H1N1 flu shots available for children
Hundreds did line up to get their kids the vaccine. That's good news according to the Minnesota Department of health. New statistics out this week show a decline in flu reports, but health officials don't want those encouraging numbers to discourage people from getting the vaccine.
"In prior pandemics there has been a third wave of pandemic disease, and that's why we think it's really important that people get vaccinated, even if most of the vaccine comes into the state after the second wave has gone down," says Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota State Epidemiologist.
While five deaths were linked to H1N1 last week, only nine schools reported flu outbreaks, that's down from 40 schools the week before.
There is another Hennepin County H1N1 clinic this Friday at New Hope Church in New Hope. It will run from 2:30pm to 7:30pm. Just like today's clinic, you can expect long lines at the door. The shots are free but people with insurance should bring their insurance cards.
Hennepin County Health Officials also encourage people to check with their health care providers before coming to these clinics. It's possible your provider also got doses of the vaccine this week.
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