The Herald Bulletin - Alexandria H1N1 clinic runs smoothly

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Mother Betsy Stohler and gradmother Desi Busby comfort Elina Stohler, 9 months, as Joanne Cox gives her an H1N1 vaccination during a drive-through clinic Thursday at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria. The next clinic is scheduled for November 19th at Elwood Community High School.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

Volunteer Jeanne Atkinson prepares a dose of H1N1 vaccination before the start of a drive-through clinic Thursday at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria. The next clinic is scheduled for the November 19th at Elwood Community High School.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

The Madison County Health Department held an H1N1 vaccination drive-through clinic Thursday at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria. This was the second clinic in the county and a third is scheduled for the November 19th at Elwood Community High School.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

Volunteers update the Children and Hoosiers Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP) from the Madison County Mobile Communication Unit during an H1N1 vaccination drive-through clinic Thursday at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Alexandria.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

Published November 12, 2009 08:53 pm - ALEXANDRIA — Madison County’s second shot at a public H1N1 flu vaccination clinic was smoother and more orderly than a clinic last week at Hoosier Park.

Alexandria H1N1 clinic runs smoothly
Next clinic Nov. 19 in Elwood

By Dave Stafford, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

ALEXANDRIA — Madison County’s second shot at a public H1N1 flu vaccination clinic was smoother and more orderly than a clinic last week at Hoosier Park.

In its first hour Thursday, 400 people were vaccinated against the virus commonly referred to as swine flu. That was in line with Madison County Health Department expectations of vaccinating 2,000 people during the five-hour drive-through clinic.

“Actually, it was really great. It was really well-organized,” said Brad Sowinski, a paraprofessional at Alexandria High School. “They did get us in and out.”

Sowinski said he’d taken off work a little early so that he, his wife, Jackie, and baby Dash, could be vaccinated.

Health department officials said they’d learned valuable lessons from the Hoosier Park clinic. Patients received paperwork to fill out as soon as they arrived, for instance. Also, more nurses were assigned to stations handling cars with more than two people to be vaccinated.

At Hoosier Park, it took about 25 minutes for a carload to move from the first station to the vaccination station. Wait time was closer to 10 minutes early Thursday, said Health Department spokeswoman Kellie Kelly.

“Most people are really surprised how fast they’re getting through and how well-organized it is,” said Sharon Breckenridge, a Health Department worker who was steering drivers into designated stations based on the number of people in their cars to be vaccinated.

“It’s better waiting in your car than standing in a line,” said Inger Drifill of Anderson. “Plus you don’t have to worry about sick people coughing on you.”

“I’m kind of excited,” said Aaron Seleyman, 11, who was among four people waiting for vaccinations in a car driven by Terrie Sizemore. “It went fast, surprisingly,” Sizemore said.

Next week, on Nov. 19, the Madison County Health Department will conduct a walk-in clinic in Elwood. Kelly said the department expected to announce a second Anderson clinic that will take place sometime in December, but plans have not been finalized.

Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com

Elwood vaccinations

Madison County Health Department will conduct an H1N1 vaccination clinic next week in Elwood.

When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

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