Flu shot clinic receives steady turnout
Plenty of customers were on hand at the start of Thursday’s flu shot clinic, which was opened to the general public after state health officials unexpectedly designated vaccine for the area.
Initial plans were to open the clinic at 2 p.m., but health officials opened lines up at 12:30 p.m. instead and brought an extra 400 doses with them, making the total doses available 800 instead of the pre-planned 400 doses. High-risk categories were tossed aside in order to ensure the vaccine was not wasted.
“We had some left from some other clinics, so we brought it with us,” said Debbie Hoy of the Upper Cumberland Regional Health office.
“I’ve been very pleased today with people coming up,” she added. “Even though it’s January, the flu season is just beginning in the Upper Cumberland area, so we’re happy they are going to be protected by the time it gets in full force.”
Nurses from Warren County as well as the regional office manned a number of stations in an orderly fashion at Three Star Mall in an effort to be convenient to people seeking the vaccine. Those efforts were noticed by Elaine Bratcher of McMinnville, who got through the clinic in about 30 minutes.
Bratcher, 77, had worried getting the flu would complicate other serious health conditions and was seeking a flu shot last year.
Although not 100 percent effective, with a flu shot, Bratcher has less cause to worry.
“I feel terrific,” she said after getting her shot. “I went up north for two weeks and they ran out of vaccine and I missed it. I read it in the Standard it was going to be here, and I was happy as day.”
Lee Duncan, 83, said he was also pleased.
“I thought I would be able to get one. I’ve never missed in several years.”
Hoy said any doses not used Thursday would likely be relegated to the Warren County Health Department. Anyone still seeking a flu shot may contact the health department to inquire if there is any vaccine left, health officials added. The telephone number is 473-8468.