11/2/2009 9:40:02 AM

Comments (0)

By Jim Troyer

news@postbulletin.com

The line stretched from Oak Park Mall's Center Court to the Community Room Saturday morning.

It was only 15 minutes after Austin Medical Center's H1N1 vaccine clinic opened for business. In 40 minutes, the line was gone and with it the fears that the vaccine might never arrive.

	H1N1 vaccinations Vaccine now is available for: • Pregnant women. • People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old. • All health-care and emergency medical-services personnel. • Anyone age 6 months to 24 years old. • People age 25 to 64 who are at a higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic-health disorders, such as chronic heart, lung kidney or liver disease; diabetes, weakened immune systems because of cancer/medications; and neuromuscular disorders. Vaccination clinics at Oak Park Mall: • 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Tuesday. • They are for residents of Mower County, as well as Blooming Prairie. • Both the H1N1 mist and shots will be available until the supply is gone. • Vaccines are free except for an administrative fee.

"I expected the line to be even longer than this," said Ellen Sunde. "We brought lawn chairs."

With six children in tow, her concern about a long wait was greatly outweighed by her concern with the virus. "With a large family," she said, "it just takes one child to catch it for all of them to get it."

As for the choice to have her kids vaccinated: "I've heard more positive reports for getting it than not," she said. Hannah, 14; Cole, 13; Linnea, 10; Greta 6; Paul 5; and Will, 2, agreed.

Sarah Sash, of Austin, sat on a bench in the mall comforting her 7-month-old daughter, Madelyn, who was clearly not convinced that shots are a good thing.

Because her child had received the second part of her seasonal flu shot last week, Sash faced the question of getting the H1N1 shot so soon. She acted on the best advice she could find.

"You just want to make a good decision, she said. "As a parent you have to be proactive and ask questions. We do as much research as we can, and the rest is with God."

Dr. Cindy Dube, who headed up the clinic, said she was pleased with the turnout, and administrator Carol Weis agreed.

"We expected to be busy and it has been busy," Weis said.

There are 0 comments - Display All Comments