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Wait for H1N1 vaccine in Saginaw County almost over

Thursday, October 29, 2009

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Rebecca Trylch
More: Bio, abc12.com News Team, E-mail

SAGINAW COUNTY (WJRT) -- (10/29/09)--The wait for the H1N1 vaccine in Saginaw County is almost over.

MORE: Mid-Michigan flu clinic information.

Wednesday night the Saginaw County Health Department got a fresh shipment of the vaccine. Friday, some county residents will have their first chance to get vaccinated.

Carrollton Middle School is where the first H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held.

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It runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

"I think we'll be packed," said Dr. Craig Douglas.

Packed, because Saginaw County has 825 H1N1 vaccines to give out and thousands who want them.

"We're ready," Douglas said. "We're excited, a little bit nervous, because there's going to be some things that we haven't thought of."

Despite the fact that it's a regular school day, Carrollton Middle School was chosen as the first clinic site because of its involvement in several years worth of disaster preparedness planning and because of logistics.

"We have people stationed outside the building, inside the building, so they know where to go, what to do next in the process," said Natasha Coulouris.

"The process is explained and we can get them in and out."

The gym will be where vaccination stations are set up. Only priority groups can get the shot.

That group includes pregnant women, people caring for children younger than six months, health care workers, children 6 months to 4 years of age and children 5 to 18 with medical conditions.

Anyone attending needs to bring a drivers license, insurance card and some patience.

"It could be a traffic jam," Douglas said. "We realize that, but you know what? We'll sort through it."

The health department reports several clinics are planned for next week. Theydon't have dates and times yet.