Thousands turn out for H1N1 Clinic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Marion County Health Department held another H1N1 Flu Clinic at Warren Central High School Saturday.  Thousands of people showed up to get the free flu vaccine.

An hour before the doors opened to Warren Central High School, a line extended around the school building with people waiting to get inside.  "I was here early, I've been here since seven," said Alisa Brown of Indianapolis.

People showed up to get a H1N1 Flu Vaccine. This is the last of four free H1N1 vaccine clinics put on this week by the Marion County Health Department.

People at risk for getting H1N1 include pregnant women, eople who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, anyone ages six months to 24-years-old and people between 25 to 64 years-old with a pre-exisiting medical condition and health care workers with patient contact.

Although the free vaccine is for people who are considered in the high risk category, some Hoosiers who are not in the category showed up hoping to get the vaccine.

"A lot of people have been dying so I don't want to fall in that category," said Brown.

Brown stood in line for the H1N1 flu vaccine. She said she's not in the high risk category.  "I'd rather come out here and take the chance of getting the shot than something happening," said Brown.

"I think its important that the high risk should get it first, especially young people like Shelby who can't defend herself," said Connie Noonan.  Noonan got her H1N1 Flu Vaccine several weeks ago. Noonan's 14-month-old daughter is at high risk of getting the flu.

"Her immune isn't where you know, she can't fight it off. She needs to have it," Noonan said.  Health officials asked people not at high risk to wait for the vaccine.

"The guidance that we have received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clearly outlines a specific group of people who are most at risk for complications from the flu." said John Althardt with the Marion County Health Department.

This was the fourth clinic the Marion County Health Department sponsored. This clinic brings the total number of people vaccinated to 11,648.

The health department will begin vaccinating elementary school kids Monday. Local health officials will work in ten schools per day for the next two weeks. Middle school and high school students will be vaccinated in early December.