H1N1 VACCINATIONS
Cynthia Vega reports
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FARMERS BRANCH - The line formed early Thursday morning at the first private Dallas County clinic known to be offering the H1N1 swine flu vaccine to the general public.
Five thousand doses of the vaccine were available at the Family Occupational Urgent Care Clinic at 2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 100.
There was a line of 35 people when the doors opened at 7:30 a.m., and the lobby was jammed all morning.
Elise Danner was there to get herself and her 22-month-old twins inoculated. "The flu season is so bad right now, it just makes me feel a lot better," she said. "They all go to school, and you just never know."
Brandy Schroeder tried to distract her little ones as they got the shots that bring peace of mind to their mom. "I know the pediatrician got 15 doses in, and we're not on the high priority list for that, so we headed here," she said.
The Farmers Branch clinic is charging $20 per shot and it planned to remain open until 6:30 p.m. Thursday or until the last dose was administered. The clinic expected to get another supply later on Thursday and tentatively planned to reopen on Saturday if the medicine is restocked.
Denton County has reported its first death from the swine flu. A Lewisville woman in her 40s with no underlying health conditions died Wednesday night.
Dallas County confirmed its 14th H1N1-related death on Wednesday afternoon. The 35-year-old man, who had significant preexisting medical conditions, died from complications of the swine flu, health officials said.
Dallas County announced its initial plan to distribute doses of the swine flu vaccine. Parents with high-risk children who don't have health insurance can make an appointment to get the shot Friday, Monday, or Tuesday by calling 214-819-6001.
The appointments will be at the Dallas County Health Department at 2377 North Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. The county will hold its first mass vaccination next Wednesday for those in a high-risk group. The clinic starts at 8 a.m. and will be held at the same location.
In Tarrant County, shots will be available from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday for pregnant women and high-risk children at the W.G. Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City.
"Each state is distributing the vaccine according to their priority list, and in Texas the biggest requesters are getting theirs first," said Dr. Joe Ventimiglia, a medical director at the Farmers Branch clinic. "So, we've been one of the first to get our supply."
In fact, they got shipments at a time when some government agencies did not, which is why the head of the Farmers Branch Environmental Health Department headed to the clinic herself.
"Our shipment hasn't come in yet for the city of Farmers Branch and for our first responders," said Stacy Wright. "So, we're coming to get our vaccines early."
While high-risk patients are top priority, experts say there is good reason for almost everyone to get vaccinated.
"Lots of people we see are exposed to H1N1," said Thomas Wilson, a dentist. "I want to protect myself and protect my patients."
Large shipments of the in-demand vaccine are also expected at drug store chains and other major providers in the days ahead.
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