Dwindling flu clinic crowds puzzle nurses
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By CRISTINA KUMKA RUtland HErald Staff - Published: November 24, 2009
BRANDON — Nearly two weeks ago, an H1N1 virus or swine flu vaccination clinic in the city of Rutland ended with shots running out, leaving many out in the cold and still susceptible.
But the demand seemed to change Monday at a sparsely attended clinic held at Brandon's American Legion Post 55.
Out of roughly 468 available doses of nasal spray and shots, only 92 were given out to clinic attendees considered high risk for getting sick, said Betsy Morgan, co-manager of the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice community and occupational health department, who was on site to administer doses.
Fewer people showed up and there's no telling why, Morgan said.
The same was the case Nov. 17 in Bennington, where 100 doses of H1N1 vaccine were left over at the end of a public clinic there, said Kevin Robinson, spokesman for Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
High-risk candidates — the only people allowed vaccines at this point in the state's immunization process — include people age 25 through 64 with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or cancer, pregnant women, anyone age 6 months through 24, health care and emergency workers and people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months.
"Either hype has died down a little or people are not hearing about it, but that's a shame because the virus is still around and people are getting sick," Morgan said.
It's no less important now for people who fall into any of the high-risk target groups to get a vaccine, according to the state health department.
"We are still experiencing widespread H1N1 activity in Vermont and are still encouraging people to get the vaccination," said Deb Wilcox, chief of public health nursing at the department.
Monday's clinic, a joint effort by the Vermont Department of Health and RAVNAH, began at 11 a.m. and ended shortly before 2 p.m.
There were 10 people waiting in line when the Legion's doors opened and none later that afternoon, as more than a dozen nurses, volunteers and clerical assistants packed the remaining shots and sprays away for use at a future clinic.
Unlike clinics held throughout Rutland County and the state beginning in Middlebury on Nov. 3, the parking lot at the Legion was empty, with the exception of volunteers.
Wilcox said it's too early to tell if dwindling attendance at clinics is a trend.
For the last three weeks, the majority of public clinics across the state have seen high attendance, she said.
But Wilcox said the department was, "monitoring what we need to do with our plans," as all public health clinics report how much vaccine was used.
The Vermont Department of Health announced the state's second reported swine flu death Nov. 18, an adult with serious medical conditions.
Vermont Health Commissioner Wendy Davis said last week that more than half of all clinical samples taken from residents statewide tested positive for the H1N1 strain and there were no cases of seasonal flu.
As of last week, 79 Vermonters were hospitalized with the illness, including children and adults.
National estimates provided by Brant Goode of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted in November that anywhere from 180,000 to 300,000 Vermonters will become infected with swine flu this season.
For a statewide listing of clinics, go to healthvermont.gov or dial 2-1-1.
Reporter Patrick McArdle contributed to this report.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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