WXXI: Thousands Receive H1N1 Vaccine in Monroe County (2009-11-20)

Flu clinics on Thursday in Monroe County were busy, with about 7,000 people getting the shots, some waiting in line for hours.

Now the county health department is taking a moment to assess how the process went, to refine it for clinics on Saturday.

Dr. Andrew Doniger is the director of the Monroe County Health Department. He says Thursday's event saw too many people waiting outside in the rain before doors opened, so officials are working to address that issue. They're also adding more staff so that more people can be vaccinated at a time, because Saturday's clinics will be shorter than Thursday's.

But if you can't get to a clinic on Saturday, Dr. Doniger says it's not your last chance.

"Vaccine continues to come into the community, into physician's offices and clinics. So this isn't the last opportunity people have to get vaccine. No one should panic if they can't get a vaccine tomorrow."

Doniger says the majority of the vaccine is going to private practices, but the county is planning more mass vaccination clinics, when supplies are available.

The clinics held on Thursday, and those planned for Saturday, are reserved for people who are particularly vulnerable to H1N1. That includes pregnant women, children between 6 months and 24 years, and their caretakers, adults with chronic illnesses, and health care workers.But Doniger says to his knowledge, no one was turned away from getting the shot after waiting in line for hours, though some people were turned away in the parking lot because of the length of lines.

According the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, children under 9 who are receiving an influenza vaccine for the first time should follow-up with their family physician for a second shot.

Saturday's clinics are being held at the Medley Centre in Irondequoit, the Blue Cross Arena in Downtown Rochester, the Penfield Town Hall, the West End Business Center on the West Side, and the First Bible Baptist Church in Hilton. They run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Below is a map of the clinic locations; click the blue marker to see days and times.

View Monroe County Flu Clinics