Fighting H1N1 in Woodford County

Clinic supplies vaccine to 450 Saturday

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By Marc Strauss

Volunteer Paul Burton was manning his post in the parking lot of the Woodford County Health Department bright and early Saturday morning.

"We had people lined up as far as you could see in cars and we were worried that we were going to get more," Burton told News 25.

450 people filed in to get the H1N1 vaccine. Some of them had been waiting for weeks. But no one was turned away.

"The anxiety level of the community seems to be extremely high because the vaccine availability is so limited," said Woodford County Health Administrator Laurie Schierer.

"So we've just tried to sooth their concerns and let them know that vaccine is coming. It's not a question of if it's coming, it's just a question of when it's coming. We're just trying to reach those most at risk first."

Because of an insufficient supply not everyone has been able to get the H1N1 vaccine. For instance, the Tazwell County Health Department ran out this week and had to cancel multiple clinics. Episodes like that have frustrated a lot of people.

And yet, according to a CNN report, detainees at Guantanamo Bay will be provided with the vaccine.

"I heard also that they're sending 200,000 vaccinations to South America somewhere," said John Ginder, who waited in line for less than 30 minutes to get his H1N1 vaccine Saturday.

"They're going to all kinds of different places and I've always thought we should take care of our own first."

John's wife, Cyndi, said there's nothing wrong with vaccinating prisoners, but not at the expense of others.

"I think the priorities are wrong. I don't have any problem with taking care of any human being. I just think priority–wise they are less likely to be exposed to it."

The Woodford County Health Department plans to hold future clinics at local elementary schools and will announced those each Monday. You can find that information at www.woodfordhealth.org .

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