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H1N1 calls overwhelm Mayo

10/29/2009 10:20:02 AM

Comments (6)

By Jeff Hansel

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

More than 200,000 calls flooded Mayo Clinic's H1N1 switchboard Wednesday morning as worried people sought vaccine that's been in short supply.

H1N1 vaccines

Who can get them: Mayo appointments are being scheduled only for pregnant women, children 6 months through 4 years old and children aged 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions. Call 266-0011.

Who's next: As more vaccine comes in, vaccine will be made more widely available.

"On Tuesday, Mayo Clinic announced additional H1N1 vaccination clinics for children and pregnant women, and the response has been overwhelming," says an internal Mayo communique provided to the Post-Bulletin. "In the first two hours, more than 200,000 calls were placed to the appointment line."

Mayo spokesman Bryan Anderson said heavy call volumes continued all day Wednesday at Mayo, although it's not clear how many calls Mayo actually took.

"A lot of people got busy signals," Anderson said. Many callers likely hung up and re-dialed, so call volumes might appear larger than the real number. Wait times just to schedule an appointment ran about 10 minutes.

"Additional schedulers are being brought in to help handled (sic) the call volume," the communique says. "In the meantime, callers are asked to continue trying to get through or call back later in the day."

Appointments are for Mayo patients who already have a Mayo primary care provider. Vaccine for others will be announced later.

"We will schedule appointments for Mayo Clinic primary care patients who meet the criteria for this vaccination clinic until all slots are full," Anderson said.

Other medical centers have also been flooded with calls. Phone banks at Park Nicollet in Minneapolis were quickly overwhelmed this week, multiple news source reported, and the Twin Cities clinic quickly had to stop taking appointments altogether.

Reporter Jeff Hansel covers health for the Post-Bulletin. Read his blog, Pulse on Health, at Postbulletin.com.

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There are 6 comments - Display All Comments

OnlyTheTr
uth
MN, MN

Posted on 10/29/2009 at 6:13:06 PM

It’s all Obama’s fault. Can’t blame it on the former admin.

Thank Obama for stirring up a scare. This is just the beginning.

Wait when the electricity goes out. Obama’s admin will blame the fossil fuel industry, but it will be his postering to environmentalists banning coal and oil production.

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Tim08
Stewartville, mn

Posted on 10/29/2009 at 9:23:42 PM

Only,is anything not Obama’s fault?Enough of the blame game here.Nobody is blaming the former administration.If I remember correctly it was the WHO that was the first group to say anything about H1N1.This is a serious pandemic we have going here so stop with all your hatred towards Obama.Apparently you do not know anyone who has been affected by H1N1.

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Durangoki
dd
Rochester, MN

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 8:52:41 AM

Tim08 After listening to the liberals blame everything from the rainy weather to the price of shoe laces on George W its time they take responsibility for whats happening today.

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graciesue
rochester, mn

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 9:39:28 AM

If you get an e mail stating that you can get the swine flu from eating pork, remember it is only SPAM

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Pixelsmit
h
Rochester, MN

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 10:00:26 AM

what a dumb headline. the PB continues the hype and fear mongering. pathetic.
i bet only 1 or 2 of the calls was someone that actually has the man/bird/pig flu.

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OnlyTheTr
uth
MN, MN

Posted on 10/30/2009 at 4:55:52 PM

Tim08- Durangokid read my mind.

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