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CROWDS ATTEND MASS FLU CLINIC AT PINE BLUFF

By Jonesetta Lassiter/SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL
Saturday, October 31, 2009 12:36 AM CDT

They began arriving as early as 6 a.m. well before daylight and an hour before the scheduled 7 a.m. opening for the daylong flu shot clinic Friday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. By the end of the day, about 3,000 people had received shots.

Linda Burns (right) grimaces as she is innoculated with the flu vaccine by Heather Johnston, an LPN in the SEARK Nursing Program. The Jefferson County Health Unit provided free flu shots Friday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

By 7 a.m., 300 people were undergoing processing to receive the vaccine. Most of them could only get the seasonal shot, since Arkansas Department of Health officials were still operating under the directive that the 1,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine should only be given to children ages 6 months to 4 years and pregnant women.

Laurell Hall, clinic coordinator for Jefferson County Health Unit, said she was pleased with the turnout and expected that most, if not all, of the 6,000 doses of the seasonal vaccine would be dispensed by the 6 p.m. closing.

“Our goal is to vaccinate everybody in Jefferson County,” she said.

At least, everybody who wants to be vaccinated. One man, who did not want to be identified, waited in the lobby while his wife went in to get a shot.

“I just don’t trust it,” he said.

Several people in line expressed similar concerns about the H1N1 serum, even though they could not have gotten it Friday.

If all goes well and more of the vaccine becomes available, including the H1N1 (which is in short supply nationwide because its manufacture has taken longer than anticipated), Hall said the department will hold another clinic Dec. 4.

In the meantime, she said there are precautions that people can take to minimize their risk of contracting the disease.

“I think all the talk about H1N1 has panicked people, but if they remember to use good basic hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and avoiding handshaking, they can significantly reduce their chance of getting sick,” she said.

Several people said they thought the clinic was a service to the community.

“I get a flu shot every year at my doctor’s office, but he ran out,” Harvey Jacks said. “He told me to come over here, and I must say it has been a very pleasant experience. Everybody is so friendly and nice.”

Terri Jackson, district health manager, attributed the smooth operation to the assistance the health department received from volunteers from Southeast Arkansas College, Jefferson School of Nursing and the Department of Human Services. She said they also had volunteers from other organizations, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Wanda Fluker said this was her first time getting the shot through the health department. The price made it very attractive, she said.

“It’s free.”

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