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Free public H1N1 clinics coming to a close
By By Jill Meier
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EmailFebruary 08. 2010 6:00AM
Four-year-old Zayda Ginsbach was one of the first youngsters to receive her second dose of the H1N1 vaccine at a clinic offered in Brandon on Feb. 4.
And when the Renner youngster spied the needle, she backed into the comforts of her grandmother, Karen Schmidt’s arms. As the shot was administered, the blonde-haired, blue eyed Zayda let out a yelp.
Within minutes, Zayda was smiling once again.
Zayda was one of several who came to the Brandon Fire Hall for the free vaccine supplied by the South Dakota Department of Health last week.
A total of 750 doses of the H1N1 vaccine were available at the Feb. 4 clinic.
Unlike the Nov. 19 clinic held at Brandon Valley High School, there was no long line to wait in.
“It’s been very slow so far, we’re hoping it picks up,” said Kathy Jacobs, the Director of Environmental Safety for Avera McKennan, about an hour into the four-hour clinic.
“The first time (in Brandon) we had to turn people away because we ran out that night.”
Jacobs expected to see more adults being vaccinated at the February clinic. “There have been lots of events between now and then, and hopefully, we’ve gotten the majority of children, but we are seeing some first-time doses (for children).”
A Feb. 9 clinic in Baltic was the final one that will be offered in the greater Sioux Falls area. But Jacobs said the H1N1 vaccine will continue to be offered at no charge at the State Department of Health’s Sioux Falls office. The vaccine is also available at private physician offices, clinics and pharmacies. “That’s where you’ll have to pay an administration fee,” she said.
Jolene Lohr of Garretson learned about the Brandon clinic earlier in the week. She thought the nine-mile drive from Garretson to Brandon was a good opportunity to get the shot.
“It’s a short line today and it didn’t hurt a bit,” she said. “It’s just good to get it done.
And when the Renner youngster spied the needle, she backed into the comforts of her grandmother, Karen Schmidt’s arms. As the shot was administered, the blonde-haired, blue eyed Zayda let out a yelp.
Within minutes, Zayda was smiling once again.
Zayda was one of several who came to the Brandon Fire Hall for the free vaccine supplied by the South Dakota Department of Health last week.
A total of 750 doses of the H1N1 vaccine were available at the Feb. 4 clinic.
Unlike the Nov. 19 clinic held at Brandon Valley High School, there was no long line to wait in.
“It’s been very slow so far, we’re hoping it picks up,” said Kathy Jacobs, the Director of Environmental Safety for Avera McKennan, about an hour into the four-hour clinic.
“The first time (in Brandon) we had to turn people away because we ran out that night.”
Jacobs expected to see more adults being vaccinated at the February clinic. “There have been lots of events between now and then, and hopefully, we’ve gotten the majority of children, but we are seeing some first-time doses (for children).”
A Feb. 9 clinic in Baltic was the final one that will be offered in the greater Sioux Falls area. But Jacobs said the H1N1 vaccine will continue to be offered at no charge at the State Department of Health’s Sioux Falls office. The vaccine is also available at private physician offices, clinics and pharmacies. “That’s where you’ll have to pay an administration fee,” she said.
Jolene Lohr of Garretson learned about the Brandon clinic earlier in the week. She thought the nine-mile drive from Garretson to Brandon was a good opportunity to get the shot.
“It’s a short line today and it didn’t hurt a bit,” she said. “It’s just good to get it done.
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Zayda Ginsbach, 4, of Renner, wasn't excited about receiving her second dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Her grandmother, Karen Schmidt, brought Zayda to the Feb. 4 clinic that was set up in the Brandon Fire Hall. A total of 750 vaccines were available. Photo by Jill Meier |  |
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