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Flu vaccination line extends to parking lot
Published October 22, 2009
LAKE JACKSON — Pam Riddle arrived at the Lake Jackson Ciivic Center for her free flu shot promptly at 8 a.m. Wednesday, thinking she would be one of the first people there.
She was wrong.
By 8 a.m., there already was a line out of the door of the civic center, and Riddle didn’t walk away with a Band-Aid on her arm until 8:40.
Many of those at the front of the line were amazed by the number of people who had taken their place behind them.
“There are a lot more people here this year than last year,” said Sharon Ferris, a Richwood resident.
The free shots provided by Brazosport Regional Health System were only for the seasonal flu, but civic center officials expected a flood of people this year because of the talk of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
“This is typical,” said civic center Manager Sandra Oliver. “Anytime there’s a flu scare, you’re going to have lines out the door.”
Brazosport Regional’s two free flu shot clinics this week were a success, said Scott Briner, Brazosport Regional Health System spokesman.
At St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Freeport on Tuesday, hospital staff administered 800 shots before running out toward the end of the clinic, Oliver said.
In Lake Jackson, the hospital ran out at about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, packing up about 45 minutes ahead of the scheduled end time. TexanPlus, a Medicare supplement company, also provided shots at the Lake Jackson Civic Center, and combined, the two entities were able to provide about 1,000 shots, she said.
Brazosport Regional also plans to administer H1N1 vaccines when they receive them later this year, Briner said.
Though people still are worried about an outbreak of the viruses, Brazoria County Health Department officials say the number of people reporting flu symptoms to hospitals and schools has dropped during the last two weeks.
The number of people with the flu has dropped to normal levels after being elevated a few weeks ago, indicating the people who were susceptible likely already had it, said Dr. Leo O’Gorman, the health department’s director.
Angleton resident Sherry McMahan expects there will be even more people in line for the H1N1 vaccine.
Riddle, a Lake Jackson resident, usually gets her flu shots through her employer, but they were unable to obtain any of the vaccine this year, she said. She checked with several drug stores that commonly offer the flu shot and they also said they were out, she said.
But Riddle knew it was important to get a flu shot because of her age and because she works with the public, she said.
Ferris and her daughter, Traci Eaton, stood together in line at the civic center. Ferris gets a flu shot every year, but Eaton rarely gets the vaccine.
This year, Eaton decided to get a flu shot because it is was free, and with all of the talk of the flu, it seemed like a good idea, she said.
She won’t be in line for the H1N1 vaccine this year, though. Eaton fears development of the vaccine was too rushed and it has not been adequately tested, she said.
Pamela Fjellbo of Lake Jackson also has concerns about the H1N1 vaccine.
“I don’t think I’ll take that shot,” Fjellbo said.
However, Austin Davis of Brazoria said he always gets a seasonal flu shot and plans to get an H1N1 flu shot this year. He is worried about the H1N1 virus after hearing reports of deaths related to the new strain.
Public health officials, however, continue to say the H1N1 virus is no more dangerous than the seasonal flu.
Gerald Serna, a 52-year-old Angleton resident, said he didn’t know anything about the H1N1 virus, but his philosophy in life is not to worry.
“It doesn’t do anyone any good to worry about it,” he said.
Riddle said it is still good to be prepared, though. She suggests everyone get their flu shot every year.
“You don’t even hardly feel it,” Riddle said.
Katlynn Lanham covers Lake Jackson for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0150.
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