Health officials brace for heavy turnout at H1N1 clinic

Thousands of rain-drenched people wait in line Friday, Oct. 23, at the Butler County Fairgrounds in Hamilton in hopes of receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Thousands of rain-drenched people wait in line Friday, Oct. 23, at the Butler County Fairgrounds in Hamilton in hopes of receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine.

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Hundreds of people turned out for the first day of public H1N1 flu shots at the Butler County Fairgrounds, Friday, Oct. 23, 2009.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Hundreds of people turned out for the first day of public H1N1 flu shots at the Butler County Fairgrounds, Friday, Oct. 23, 2009.

Thousands turned out Friday in Butler County.

By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 3:23 AM Saturday, October 24, 2009

HAMILTON — Butler County Health Department officials are bracing again for large crowds today, Oct. 24, for the final day of its two-day free public H1N1 clinic.

“We’re going to hope for the best. ... Based on (Friday’s) volume, we’re hoping there will be better traffic flow (today),” said Patricia Burg, director of the health department.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 people braved driving rain and stood in line for hours Friday for the county’s first public H1N1 clinic for the new influenza strain that has become a pandemic.

Today, health department officials have about 1,000 doses of the injectable swine flu shot and plenty of the nasal spray remaining for residents seeking vaccination. Officials hope their supply lasts through the day.

Reports of the turnout in Butler County have officials in Warren County taking heed as they prepare for its one-day flu clinic today.

Warren County Health Commissioner Duane Stansbury said only the flu mist vaccine will be given at the clinic. Those who will not eligible for the flu mist include: pregnant women, anyone older than 49 or younger than 2; anyone with a chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.

“We will have about 20 staff members working to screen patients to make sure they are eligible for the vaccine,” Stansbury said.

Before Friday’s clinic in Butler County, more than 1,100 people pre-registered, and dozens from as far as Tennessee, Indiana, and North Carolina inquired about the clinic.

By 10 a.m. Friday, thousands of rain-soaked people had lined up at the fairgrounds, some arriving hours ahead. But as the crowd continued to swell to five times the number who registered, officials became concerned about the vaccine supply and lack of parking space. By 10:45 a.m., officials closed the gates to new arrivals.

Kim Binkley, 47, of Trenton, arrived at 6:30 a.m. to make sure she got the vaccine.

“I thought it was actually going to be worse,” Binkley said of the crowd. “I had heard that people had camped out in places like Florida all night. “I have heart failure and the flu would be really hard on me, so I wanted to make sure I got it,” she said.

Cindy Smith, 47, of Hamilton and her daughter, Kirsten, 3, arrived at 7 a.m.

“With her asthma I was worried about how it would affect her if she got it,” said Smith, adding that she and her daughter already got the seasonal flu shot.

Parking was at a premium, as cars were stacked up all along Ohio 4 trying to get onto the fairgrounds. County Emergency Management Agency staff reopened the fairgrounds at about 4 p.m.

Many area residents, from infants to senior citizens, waited five hours or more in lines that snaked around the entire fairgrounds. There were people in wheelchairs and lawn chairs. Some wore surgical masks.

A 64-year-old West Chester Twp. man who said he has a genetic enzyme deficiency that has left him with his lungs functioning at only 20 percent, arrived at 9:30 a.m. He was escorted by a deputy to the front of the line, oxygen tank in tow. “For me,” he said, “it’s literally a matter of life and death.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.

H1N1 vaccine clinic

BUTLER COUNTY8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today or until supply runs out at the Butler County fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton.

Residents may pre-register, but it is not required and does not guarantee a vaccine, at www.flu.ohio.gov or h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio

High-risk populations will be given priority. They include pregnant women; people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months; health care and emergency medical personnel; people ages 6 months through 24 years; and people ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.

WARREN COUNTY9 to 11 a.m. today at the Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.

H1N1 flu mist vaccine will only be distributed to those without long-term health problems, those who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months and health care and emergency medical personnel.

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