Flu clinics often finding themselves overwhelmed

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - The state said more than 205,000 Hoosiers have received H1N1 vaccinations.

Hoosiers lined up by the thousands to get the few H1N1 shots available. But some people who showed up were denied a shot because there weren't enough to go around.

There were long lines in Noblesville at the Hamilton County 4-H Center.

"I wasn't surprised at all that it was this long," said Melissa Calwell, who waited for hours to receive a shot.

It was Hamilton County's first H1N1 shot clinic but there were only 800 vaccines, which wasn't enough to go around.

Megan Tribble and her daughter were denied shots.

"I'm upset just seeing the line coming up here, so it makes me emotional just because of that," Tribble said.

In fact, the health department says all the vaccines were gone before the clinic even started. People began lining up hours before just to make sure they would get a shot.

"I wanted to make sure I was vaccinated before the baby was born because, being around an infant who can't get the vaccine at all, it's very important," Calwell said.

There were also long lines at Madison County's first clinic.

Thousands of people lined up for a drive-through clinic at Hoosier Park. The line extended through the entire casino parking lot and even out onto the street.

"I was just hoping they didn't run out before we got up here," said John Stuckey, who did get a shot.

Madison County had 2,500 doses, which also didn't cut it. The health department ran out in a few hours.

"We could tell by the phone calls and sense of urgency in our callers that they were wanting the vaccine," said Kellie Kelley of the Madison County Health Department.

At the free clinic at Lafayette Square Mall Wednesday, there were 5,000 doses of the vaccine.

No one was denied a shot there.