The Herald Bulletin

Morning Update

Breaking News

October 27, 2009

Confusion, frustration surface over H1N1 vaccine plan

Drive-through session set Nov. 4 at Hoosier Park

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

Text Only
Breaking News
  • German man wins Empire State Building race again

    A German runner has won an annual race up 86 flights of stairs at the Empire State Building for a record seventh straight time.

    February 9, 2012

  • Santorum files for Indiana ballot despite dispute

    Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum filed Wednesday to get on Indiana's primary ballot even though he has not been certified by local election officials.

    February 9, 2012

  • Sarkozy advises against military strike on Iran

    French President Nicolas Sarkozy put his reputation as a stalwart friend of Israel on the line Wednesday, warning that military action was no way to deal with nuclear-minded Iran at a dinner hosted by France's main Jewish group.

    February 8, 2012

  • GOP vows to reverse Obama birth control policy

    Republicans vowed Wednesday to reverse President Barack Obama's new policy on birth control, lambasting the rule that religious schools and hospitals must provide contraceptive coverage for their employees as an "unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country."

    February 8, 2012

  • Sheriff unhappy with dispatcher in Powell case

    A 911 recording reveals a social worker's urgent attempts over more than six minutes to get a dispatcher to send deputies after Josh Powell locked himself and his two sons in his home.

    February 8, 2012

  • University of North Dakota will use Fighting Sioux nickname

    The University of North Dakota will resume using its contentious Fighting Sioux nickname despite threats from the NCAA, the school's president said Wednesday, marking the latest twist in a protracted fight about a name that critics consider offensive.

    February 8, 2012

  • Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy

    House Speaker John Boehner says if President Barack Obama doesn't reverse a new policy requiring religious schools and hospitals to provide employees with access to free birth control, the Congress will.

    February 8, 2012

  • Fair, Stagehand union, stage company cited in fair stage collapse

    Poor planning and an indifference to safety requirements led to the death of two workers during the collapse at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13.  the Indiana Department of Labor said on Wednesday.

    February 8, 2012

  • Russian scientists reach lake under Antarctica

    After more than two decades of drilling in Antarctica, Russian scientists have reached the surface of a gigantic freshwater lake hidden under miles of ice for some 20 million years — a lake that may hold life from the distant past and clues to the search for life on other planets.

    February 8, 2012

  • 0209 news Cleaning snow from cars16a.jpg Overnight snow creates a few problems

    An overnight dusting of snow forced police to close the Eisenhower Bridge on east Eighth Street Wednesday morning because of icing, but the bridge is now open.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

More from The Herald Bulletin
AP Video
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Helium debate
Helium
Front page
Poll

Which factor is most responsible for the increase in the graduation rate at Anderson High School?

A concerted effort by staff and administrators to challenge students
The influx of former Highland students
Other
     View Results