By Brett Boese

Post-Bulletin, Red Wing MN 

RED WING -- The line to receive an H1N1 vaccination Wednesday extended out the door at First Lutheran Church. More than 100 people waited patiently for the free vaccinations, the first available in Goodhue County since the pandemic started, and more streamed in throughout the afternoon.

These phase one vaccinations were aimed at the people with the highest risk, said Sue Morgan, Goodhue County's director of nursing. That meant mostly young children got it. She heard the screams and saw the tears to prove it.

"I can't tell you what the noise level was like (right away), but I think it got louder soon afterward," she said, laughing.

Goodhue County began the day with 400 doses of nasal spray vaccinations and 200 shots. If there were any doses left, vaccinations were to resume at 1 p.m. today.

People eligible for the nasal spray or shot are pregnant women, children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, household members or caregivers of an infant who is younger than 6 months, and children between 5 and 18 years old with underlying health conditions.

Annie Neumann of Goodhue was one of the late arrivals for the vaccines. A co-worker mentioned the offering, and her mother quickly brought Neumann's two children in.

"I've been waiting for something like this to come up," Neumann said. "I'm not really sure what the shot will do, I guess, but it provides a little reassurance."

The second phase of vaccinations will begin in a few weeks, according to Morgan. They will be offered to children 5 to 18 years old, adults 19 to 24 years old, adults 25 to 64 years old who are considered at high risk, and health care workers and emergency medical services employees.

Everybody else can seek vaccination during the final phase. No date has been set for that to be begin.

"It all depends on supply and demand," Morgan said. "Demand is high, but supply is low."

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