Residents from other counties coming to Marion Co. H1N1 clinic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Hoosiers are traveling to Marion County from other counties in the state in an effort to get their H1N1 immunizations.

They say they're coming to Indy because they haven't been able to get the vaccine at home.

There were a 1,000 people lined up to get into Marion County's latest H1N1 immunization clinic before the doors opened Thursday.

The first person 24-Hour News 8 spoke with in the long line at Lafayette Square Mall is from Marion County.

"Well, I've heard so many people have died from it," said Deena Seibert. "It's not just an average flu, so I wanted to protect myself."

But the next several people 24-Hour News 8 spoke with had crossed a county line or two to get their vaccines.

Brad Ward is from Fishers.

"I called a few doctors and nobody really had it," Ward said. "And I was down on this side of town and heard about it on the radio, so I thought I'd swing by and try and get it."

A Bloomington woman came to the clinic because she couldn't find any vaccine for her 9-month-old son in their hometown.

"I called his pediatrician, who only had the nasal spray, which he can't have since he's under a year," said Elaine Apple. "The volunteer's clinic was out. They don't have it at our health clinics. Even my primary care physician doesn't have it. You can't find it anywhere."

24-Hour News 8 asked John Althardt of the Marion County Health Department whether his agency is screening people who come to the clinics, to make sure they're from Marion County.

"Well, we have an open door policy in Marion County," Althardt replied.

Althardt said it's in the county's best interest to vaccinate as many at-risk people as possible.

He said even if someone vaccinated at the clinic doesn't live in Marion County, he or she may work here, or come to a basketball or football game here.

24-Hour News 8 spoke on the phone with Penny Caudill, administrator of the Monroe County Health Department, about why more at-risk people there are not getting access to the vaccine.

Caudill said the most vaccine her county has gotten at one time is 1,300 doses.

She said they've never gotten enough vaccine to hold a public clinic like those Marion County has been holding.

"It is frustrating for residents, and frustrating for us," Caudill said.