Residents swamp Marin's first H1N1 public vaccination clinic

The din was inescapable in one particular room on Saturday, with wailing babies, crying kids and anxious looking parents.  Dozens of medical personnel threaded their way in and out of the crowd, smiling and trying their best to comfort. One despondent little girl who would not sit still, saw an opportunity to escape, bolted out of her seat and made for the door only to be carried back by her dad to face the inevitable.

Braver young adults, like Sing Yu (at right) smiled at first, and then winced.

This was the scene at the first H1N1 injectible vaccination clinic in the County, which was held at the Marin Health and Wellness Center. And although there were several unhappy campers, the Marin County Dept. of Public Health officials in the 'shot room' couldn't have appeared more pleased.

Outside the 'shot room' however, the crowd was quiet, orderly and appreciative. A line snaked around the building as families with small children lined up by the hundreds. Some of them had arrived as early as 5 a.m. to get a chance at one of the 2,000 available doses.

Jennifer Reynolds from Fairfax was with her daughter, Piper, who is 3 years-old. 

"I got an email about the clinic from work," said Reynolds, "And we just decided we'd go today to get it. We'd been wanting to get it for awhile but haven't been able to, so this is our first opportunity."

After a vaccine production delay that has affected dose disbursement statewide, injectible doses of H1N1 flu vaccine finally arrived in Marin, but only enough of a supply for high risk groups which were at the clinic on Saturday. Those groups include; pregnant women; parents with children under 6 mos of age; children and young adults between the ages of 6 mos. and 24 years old; health care workers and those who have pre-existing medical conditions that predispose them to greater chance of infection and death.

Marin County public health officer Dr. Anju Goel--

"Our goal is to protect as many high risk Marin residents as we can today. So I'm very pleased that we've seen a large number of people...because these are the people most at risk and we really want to focus on protecting them now as soon as possible."

There are three additional vaccine clinics for high risk residents scheduled in the next few weeks; Wednesday Nov. 18 in Point Reyes Station; Thursday, Nov. 19 in Marin City; and Saturday, Dec. 5 in Novato.

Goel went on to say that the county expects to get more vaccine for the rest of us, soon.

"We are expecting to get sufficient supplies in the next weeks and months so that anybody who wants to be vaccinated, can be vaccinated."

If the numbers of people who showed up at Saturday's clinic are any indication, they will need to get a lot of vaccine.

One benefit from the vaccine production delay--if there is one--might have been the extra time to prepare for the clinic. By all accounts, and from what we observed, it was a well-oiled machine.

There were shuttles from parking areas further away to bring people to the center. When patients arrived, there were a phalanx of red-shirted volunteers who made sure questions were answered, people were in the correct line and anyone who needed a shot was armed with the all-important form. 

In order to avoid standing in line for hours on end only to be told the vaccine had run out, officials handed out only enough forms for vaccines. In other words, if you were given a form, you were guaranteed a vaccine would be waiting for you at the end of the line.

The Briggs family from San Rafael with 9 mos. old Jake in tow, were appreciative.  

"It's nice when they announce over the microphone that if you have a form, you get a shot," said Dad "It feels like the people really thought it through. I think they've done a great job."

Dr. Larry Meredith, Director for Health and Human Services for the County told us that 80 percent of the personnel at the clinic, were volunteers including those from the Marin Medical Reserve Corps, pharmacists and the Red Cross.  Even Supervisor Susan Adams (in photo below), a longtime nurse before she entered politics, was also on hand to administer shots.

"A ton of preparation went into this," said Meredith, "It doesn't happen without excellent planning. I've talked to a lot of the people who've been through-- it runs about two and a half hours and they're very appreciative, and in a good mood and they're getting to know other people in their community," he added.

Meredith was also pleased to note that the Harvard School of Public Health, had sent representatives to observe how Marin had put the clinic together. 

Meanwhile, inside the 'shot room', things kept moving, kids kept crying and doses were dwindling. By 11:45 a.m., a volunteer at the entrance to the clinic announced they had run out of vaccine.

But already in line and with form in-hand, the Martinez' from Novato breathed a sigh of relief.

"We're here to get two shots," said Mom, "My kids are two and three-and-a-half. My pediatrician's office didn't have it. So my friend told me about this clinic and I was pretty excited to come here."

We're betting her kids probably won't share that sentiment when they finally make it into the 'shot room.'

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(Photo credit-- Gina Batz, MoreMarin photo intern contributed to this story)

Marin Health and Human Services flu website.

Comments

[notmyshot]

so can they publish a list so those of us who didnt willing infect ourselves can stay away from these pharm guinea pigs??
and whats going on in UKRAINE!?!?

[Ann Shores]

The clinic was well-run, and although the wait was long, the experience wasn't bad at all. I'm so glad I was able to get shots for myself and my daughter.

Well done, Marin Health and Human Services.