County exhausts H1N1 vaccine shipment

Vaccine reaches 12,650; no date for next round

All of the vaccine received for the Lake County Health Department's first round of H1N1 flu vaccination clinics was exhausted Friday, and clinic hours scheduled over the weekend have been cancelled.

Health Department spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski said officials have not been told when new shipments of the vaccine may arrive, or when other health-care providers across the county may receive the vaccine.

» Click to enlarge image

Heather Heidtbrink, 30, of Lake Zurich, tries to stay warm while waiting in line for an H1N1 vaccine flu shot at a clinic set up at the Round Lake Area Park District Sports Center.
(Thomas Delany Jr./News-Sun)

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"At this point, we don't know," Piotrowski said. "As soon as we know, we'll inform everyone."

Thousands of residents descended on the Health Department's five H1N1 flu clinics Thursday, and the department's first shipment of 12,650 doses of vaccine was allocated by 11:30 a.m. Friday.

The Health Department had put in orders for 100,000 doses of the vaccine.

"In this first round of vaccine distribution, we focused on meeting the community's demand for immediate service," said Health Department Executive Director Irene Pierce. "Residents told us they wanted the vaccine as soon as possible. To meet this need, we coordinated walk-in clinics that are expected to vaccinate more than 10,000 people in two days. This is more vaccine than we have provided in an entire flu season.

"We realize that the waiting time has been frustrating and appreciate the public's patience," Pierce said.

Pierce said the department will announce plans for future clinics as soon as that information is available. Future clinics will include an appointment component, she said.

In addition to the Health Department clinics, vaccinations are expected to be available from a large number of community health-care providers, pharmacies and clinics in November and December. More than 430 local providers and facilities are registered to receive vaccine in the county.

Get flu facts

Residents are encouraged to access reliable sources for flu information and updates, including:

• http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/H1N1.htm

• http://www.flu.gov

• http://ready.illinois.gov

The Health Department's H1N1 hot line number is: (847) 377-8350.