Scenes from the Putnam Flu Shot Clinic
My daughters and I arrived at the flu shot clinic at the Putnam County Health Department nearly an hour before it started, only to find a line already snaking down the hill. We managed to find a parking space at the very back of the hospital parking lot and hiked over to the line.
We were grateful that although the wait was very long, we had beautiful weather, nice conversation and patient children.
Deputies came along to help move the line from the street into the grass, which helped ease traffic into the hospital and neighborhoods.
The location just wasn’t meant to handle this amount of people though. Other people who needed to use the three story office building housing the Putnam County Health Department couldn’t find parking and had trouble getting through the throngs of people looped around the property. The bathrooms overflowed and toilet water poured through a light fixture over the entrance to the building.
One frazzled health care worker came outside and complained loudly about cleaning up after everyone, then started to cry. A doctor from another office in the building came out to complain about children making noise. The stress level grew along with the wait. Rumors circulated about doctors who had volunteered their nurses’ time to help give out shots at the clinic, only to be turned down.
After a five hour wait, we got our “golden ticket” and my daughters did receive their H1N1 vaccines.
The medical staff were friendly and professional, which helped relieve some of the tension that had built up along with the wait. This was the first time my kids had received a nasal vaccine, but the nurse’s smile and positive attitude put them right at ease. After the long wait, the vaccine itself took just moments and we were on our way, school excuses in hand.
Thankfully the lessons learned from this are not being ignored. We’ve been told the next Putnam flu shot clinic will be held in a high school gym, with adequate parking and places to sit inside and wait. I’m glad my kids are among those who have been vaccinated for H1N1, but they still haven’t had their seasonal vaccines … and I just don’t know if I have the heart to put them through something like this again.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Wow. We took our daughter to the Ohio County “event” last night. It was from 4-8 at the Health Department. We waited until 6 to go and it took an hour. Those who showed up at 4 took 1:30 - 2 hours. At least it was all inside!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Sarah,
This is CRAZY!!! FIVE HOURS?!?
You have the patience of a SAINT!
Take Care!
Lucky
November 13th, 2009 at 6:37 am
The line ups and frustration has been very high everywhere.
I can respect the health workers and drug manufacturers challenges and problems. The implementation rate of the vacine this year is far in excess of last years “bird flu” vaccine.
No one has vaccinated so many at one time in North America.
As a child I remember lining up in class for a “shot” Was that a better delivery system?
Is it media attention?
Public reaction?
Health Awareness?
Great Pictures!
Thank you
David Pylyp
Living in Toronto
December 1st, 2009 at 12:28 am
Wow, that is some story. Our govt center has a large parking lot so it wasn’t as crazy and we were in and out in 25 minutes. But I have to admit that there were tons of people all looking very serious about getting their kids vaccinated.