WINAMAC — Before the doors even opened, approximately 150 people were waiting for to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Halfway into Saturday’s H1N1 open-clinic event, 20 Pulaski County nurses had administered around 350 doses of the vaccine in both shot and mist forms.
Sherry Fagner, Pulaski County Health Department preparedness coordinator, was pleased to see the turnout. When the day started, she said she would have been happy with giving out at least 400 doses.
“We will exceed that number by the time we are done,” she said. “I think people realize it is not going away and are taking it serious.”
According to Fagner, a mock drill for emergency preparedness the health department held in May was also beneficial in conducting the flu vaccine clinic.
“We said it more than once today, we are all glad we did that,” she said. “It not only helped with the planning, but with traffic flow too.”
She was also pleased with the response from members of District 2 health departments, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the K-9 Crisis Response Team and more than 100 volunteers who came out to assist with the clinic.
Dr. Jean Marie Thompson, K-9 Crisis Response Team leader, had eight therapy dogs at the clinic. The group is based out of Elkhart County, but covers all of Indiana. Each dog is trained in crisis response.
She felt the group’s presence was important, especially for children.
“They’ve been walking the line while people have been waiting and have gone inside where the vaccine is being administered,” she said.
The dogs were able to help distract the children, who were able to pet the animals while receiving the shot.
Jan Lovas, of Mishawaka, brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chelsea with her. Lovas also felt the dogs were beneficial to the children.
“The kids are not anticipating the negative as much,” she said. “It helps cut down on the tears a bit.”
Winamac resident Martin Finley and his wife, Mary, were among those seeking the vaccine.
Mary wanted to receive the vaccine simply to help the community. She felt if she became immune to H1N1, it would help the flu from spreading even more.
Martin had been looking forward to the opportunity of receiving the shot, so when he heard about the clinic he decided not to waste any time.
“Hopefully it will help,” he said.
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
GETTING VACCINATED: Nurse Samantha Pugh, left, administers an H1N1 flu shot to Monterey resident Marie Clark on Saturday afternoon during a vaccine clinic in Winamac.
Discussion
Offering protection to the public
Pulaski County distributes H1N1 vaccines during open clinic
- Local News
-
-
County ambulance talks continue
Cass County officials met with another private firm last week as they explore which way to go with the county’s obligation to provide ambulance service.
-
City to consider reducing tipping fee
Logansport City Council members plans to discuss decreasing the amount the city receives in tipping fees from Oak Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility at a special meeting tonight.
-
Caston officials discussing $2 million in capital projects
Caston School Corp. officials are eyeing a new bus barn and parking lots as they consider spending about $2 million on capital projects.
-
The state option: Local educators unsure of impacts of ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana last week received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind act, but local superintendents say the move may just swap one rigid set of guidelines for another without addressing educators’ frustrations.
-
Filings in: Three Republican primaries
Cass County Republicans will cast ballots in three races in the May 8 primary, while Democrats will vote on who to send to the state convention.
-
Logansport officials: Wireless plan not dead
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
-
Miami County officials say they knew of company’s past issues
Reports that a Texas-based company owed more than $500,000 in back taxes, was behind on its rent and had an executive indicted surfaced about a year before corporate leaders began discussing an expansion to Miami County.
-
Dean Baldwin’s past includes tax payment problems, indictment of executive
An aircraft service provider expanding to Miami County had a blur of bad publicity a few years before announcing its plans to come to the area.
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
-
Dancing with dad: 185 fathers and daughters take to dance floor
Robert Kesling remembers eight years ago when he swooped his daughter Anna off her feet and swayed on the dance floor with the young lady that makes his heart melt.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County ambulance talks continue
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
