Oct 29, 2009 6:07 pm US/Central
Lake County Clinics Open For H1N1 Vaccine
ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. (CBS) ―
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The line for H1N1 vaccines at the Round Lake area Park District in Lake County went out the door and snaked all the way around the building.
CBS
Thousands lined up in Lake County Thursday morning as the first H1N1 vaccine was made available to the public. All 6,000 doses for the county had been allocated by 1:45 p.m.
CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports that the line at the Round Lake area Park District went out the door and snaked all the way around the building Thursday morning.
There were only 1,300 doses available at that location for the first day, but there were already more than that many people in line at 10 a.m.
Elizabeth Kuranz waited over three hours to get vaccinated.
"I don't mind waiting that long, what I do mind is waiting two months for this vaccine from the time it was manufactured to the time it was made available to the public," she said.
Fears seem to be spreading as fast as the virus.
"I didn't want my daughter to get infected, and I wanted her to stay healthy this flu season," said Betty Whitson, who knows at least one person who has already contracted the virus.
This location is one of five Lake County sites offering the vaccine starting Thursday through Sunday.
The initial clinics were meant to be only for people in high-risk groups: health care workers, people with immune deficiencies, pregnant women and children.
"If you don't have to get it, then don't come out here, "said Bonnie Sheppard, who is pregnant and is worried about supplies running out. "Leave these shots to the people who need them."
But CBS 2 received an e-mail from a viewer claiming that she saw people who were not in high-risk groups getting vaccinated at the Round Lake Beach clinic.
In response to our inquiry, Lake County health officials say high-risk groups are the priority, but it's more of an honors system.
By the end of the day Thursday, 6,000 doses were expected to be given out in Lake County. An expected 4,000 doses are to be divided between the five clinics for Friday.
The Lake County Health Department ordered 50,000 doses in total, and so far, has only received 12,600. They're expecting more in the coming weeks.
More than 400 healthcare facilities in Lake County are registered to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
For a complete list of vaccine clinics, click here.
Do you have questions or concerns about H1N1? Click on the links below to get some answers about the virus.
How Far Can H1N1 Germs Travel?
Chicago's Top Doc Answers Questions About H1N1
Chicago Health Commissioner On H1N1 Prevention
Dr. Terry Mason Discusses Safety Of H1N1 Vaccine
Grocery Stores Change Policy For H1N1
CDC Emergency Updates Via Twitter
CDC Swine Flu Facts Sheet
Swine Flu Info
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