ANDERSON, Ind. — Amber Hester’s two children at 29th Street Elementary expected to get vaccinated against H1N1 at a school clinic in the next few weeks. She’d signed the permission slips, and explained to fifth-grader Avery and third-grader Noah why they would be getting the shots.
“I’m scared to death of this swine flu,” Hester said Wednesday. “I thought, ‘Cool, my child’s going to be vaccinated.
“I explained to them what it was about and they were excited ... now they might be a little scared.”
A shortage of vaccine and delays in shipping it put the Madison County Health Department in the position of explaining why it had to call off clinics in county schools that were to have begun on Thursday. The county scrapped the clinics on Tuesday, and instead plans a drive-through, first-come, first-served clinic at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Hoosier Park.
Madison County Health Department spokeswoman Kellie J. Kelly said the county waited until Monday to cancel the clinics because an expected shipment of 1,000 doses that day instead contained just 100. Supplies consistently have arrived later than local officials had been advised.
“The anticipated amount we were expected to have by the last week of October won’t probably be fulfilled until the end of December,” she said. “We’re about two months behind in that respect.”
Meanwhile, Kelly said the county hopes to have at least 700 doses of H1N1 vaccine available for the Hoosier Park inoculations, an increase from what officials said Monday, that perhaps as few as 500 doses would be available.
She said the situation has caused some concern among callers to the Health Department.
“As we would expect, the calls are somewhat of concerned citizens wondering if there is enough (vaccine) for their family,” said Madison County Health Department spokeswoman Kellie J. Kelly. “Most individuals are understanding that the Health Department can’t do much differently.”
Hester said she understands the department’s situation, “but they probably should have waited till they knew (about supplies) for certain and sent all this stuff home in my kids’ backpacks.”
She also said a first-come, first-served clinic “is just not right,” because the county has stressed vaccinating priority populations first, particularly children, pregnant women and health care workers.
Kelly said the county is planning more vaccination sites after the Hoosier Park event, and will keep offering H1N1 shots as long as vaccine keeps coming.
“We’re getting more shipments as time goes on,” she said. “Now we are looking at sites in Alexandria and Elwood and additional sites in Anderson as additional supplies become available. We anticipate getting vaccine all the way through December and perhaps early January.”
Until more vaccine becomes available, Kelly said the Health Department is asking residents to take precautions and bear with a difficult situation.
“Please stay home if you are ill,” she said, urging people to wash their hands, cover sneezes and avoid people who are ill to limit the spread of H1N1.
“Be patient and confident and allow those most at risk to get the vaccine first,” she said. “We are very hopeful there will be enough vaccine to get it to everybody who wants it, but if we can focus on priority populations first, it’s very much appreciated.”
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Breaking News
Confusion, frustration surface over H1N1 vaccine plan
Drive-through session set Nov. 4 at Hoosier Park
- Breaking News
-
-
U.S. stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on
Stocks are falling on Wall Street in midday trading Tuesday, weighed down by continuing economic struggles in Europe.
-
Judge: Sandusky can have local jury, see grandkids
A judge rejected requests by prosecutors that jurors be brought in from outside the State College area to hear the child sex-abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
-
Funeral for Whitney Houston set for Saturday in New Jersey
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
-
10 Indiana measles cases confirmed; 1 at SB Village
Indiana health officials say the number of confirmed measles cases in central Indiana has grown to 10 children and adults.
-
Anderson hires consultant to assess software
The city has hired a consultant to help the controller’s office assess financial software that Anderson has used for many years, but typically has not been effective.
-
Bedbugs found at Indianapolis children's hospital
An infestation of bedbugs discovered in a room at the Riley Hospital for Children has been contained, a spokeswoman for the Indiana University Health said Monday.
-
Indiana court rules governor doesn't have to testify
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled Monday that Gov. Mitch Daniels doesn't have to answer questions under oath in a $400 million lawsuit that the state filed against IBM Corp. after he canceled the company's contract to process welfare applications.
-
South Madison board interviews 4 finalists
The search went from 12 to four, and on Thursday, only one will remain to fill the vacancy of the South Madison Community School Corp. board.
-
Judge denies continuance for man involved in ’08 prison riot
Upon showing up for sentencing at the Madison County Government Center Monday afternoon, Joseph Martin was displeased to learn Circuit Court 6 Judge Dennis Carroll would not be handing down his sentence, as he was on vacation.
-
House GOP have backup on payroll tax
In an abrupt about-face, House GOP leaders announced Monday that they are willing to extend the two percentage point cut in the payroll tax through the end of the year and add the approximately $100 billion cost to the nation's $15 trillion-plus debt.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
U.S. stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
