Crowds Overwhelm Flu Shot Providers

(CBS)  At the Travis County Fairgrounds in Austin, health officials turned a huge livestock barn into a drive-through clinic for free seasonal flu shots.

They expected a strong turnout, but county medical director Dr. Philip Huang says it was overwhelming.

"This is a record for us," Huang said.

The line of cars stretched more than a mile.

"I am very concerned," said Savana Wilmot. "I'm very over-protective of my kid."

Officials began the day with 1,500 doses of vaccine, but by mid-morning were already running out. They scrambled to find 1,200 more doses and extra medics, reports CBS News correspondent Don Teague.

Health officials have done drive-through shot clinics here before, but say they've never seen anything like this. The reason is clear with one trip to the nearest emergency room.

At Dell Children's Medical Center, emergency room doctors say most of the 200 people they see each day suffering from flu symptoms do have H1N1.

There are so many sick children, they've set up a flu triage outside the ER.

"These tents allow us to take some of the least ill patients, screen them to make sure it's safe to take them out of the hospital environment and get them through the system, taking care of them home much more rapidly," said Pat Crocker, chief of emergency medicine.

"It was crazy when we got here," said Misty Wright, a mother. "It was actually scary he was concerned, he was like 'Do I need to put on a mask?'"

When the H1N1 vaccine finally arrives next month, health officials say they'll do this all over again, and expect even longer lines.

[mollydtt]

I live in Austin, and since I don't like to sit in my car spewing carbon monoxide, I didn't try to get a free flu shot.
As to being sure they thought they were getting a H1N1 flu shot---every single person was advised that this was a regular flu shot. And the media blitz is huge---"No, this is not the H1N1 flu vaccine--that one won't be available until October." So while the average U S citizen doesn't pay much attention to details, this detail was hammered into everyone's consciousness many times over, and especially when you sign the consent form. And when they interviewed people that were getting their seasonal flu shot at these free clinics, they all said they would be back when the H1N1 vaccine was available.

[barbaram99]

Free flu shots....I had to had to pay for my yearly flu shot..It was 28 dollars. I knew they would run low or out of it.

[barbaram99]

Free flu shots....I had to had to pay for my yearly flu shot..

[stn_sage]

SUCKERS!

[jxknowles]

Texas Teabaggers and Secessionists, please go to the back of the line. Remember, the government doesn't do anything well. The rest of you, remember to vote Independent or Democrat in the next election.

[stuart-johns]

Plagues happen. The Bubonic Plague took tens of millions. It will happen again. Those of you conspiracy theorists who do not get the vaccine and become ill will regret it. You may even LIVE to regret it.

[notsouthern]

Imagine all the southern Republicon phony Christian's flocking to the immunization centers for their unnecessary flu shots when they are not on the "top priority list?" knowing at the same time that their bitter hatred for all non-white's is the only reason that they are flocking for life as their southermn culture of hate know's it? I lived near the I-10 corridor once. I know what I am writing about to be true!

[erasmus111]

by dnamj September 23, 2009 7:46 PM EDT
these people probably think it's actually the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, and then won't bother to get that one when it comes around.


That's what I was thinking. They are saying that they haven't seen anything like this before, so maybe they do think that it is for the swine flu vaccine.

[erasmus111]

"They are saying that they haven't seen anything like this before..."

"They" meaning the health officials.... about the line ups.

[dnamj]

these people probably think it's actually the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, and then won't bother to get that one when it comes around. At least people are finally not being idiots and actually getting vaccinated. There's a whooping cough epidemic going around now. That disease should have been eradicated long ago, but people are too paranoid about vaccines.

[eiddam]

Concerning the Swine Flu, how do we know some over zealous doctor will say it's swine flu to make himself important? Also, it seems that sometimes when W.H.O. says the world is overpopulated, we have an outbreak of a virus, like SWINE FLU in the 70's, and thousands died from the vaccine, and than we had Aids appear. It also seems that when a virus is named for a bird, animal, or foreigner, it may have been man made in places like Fort Detrict, and man spread by use of the bug spraying planes, I am more afraid of the WHO/GOP who may have had it made ,than the virus. The Drug companies make billions $$$$.