Thousands come out to get flu shots

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Things went smoothly at the Kent County Health Department on Saturday morning as thousands lined up to receive their swine flu vaccinations.

Pregnant women, children and those at high risk all were eligible for the shot at the first of three Saturday H1N1 vaccination clinics.

"I'm very confident things are going to go well," said Bill Anstey of the health department. "We trained for this. We prepared a lot for this."

Dozens of workers guided patients through a short series of information stations before reaching their vaccine destination.

Kent County had 5,000 doses on hand Saturday, split between its Fuller and Sheldon locations. Both nasal mist and shots were available depending on the patient's needs -- as long as he or she had an appointment.

"If they do not (have an appointment today), there are still appointments available," Anstey said. "They'll be directed to call 211. These are appointments available for the third Saturday -- the Nov. 21 clinic."

Lisa Verbraska brought her daughter Paige in to get vaccinated. She said she is "cautious ... not worried" about contracting H1N1. Paige has asthma so her mom is being safe rather than sorry.

"So, if it ends up being as bad as they say, then she's covered," Verbraska said. "If not, then no big deal."

Paige, a student at Forest Hills Central Middle School, said there have been so many kids out of school due to illness lately that it has started to affect classes.

"We had one of those where a teacher had to move back an assignment because so many people were not there," Paige said.

There was no lack of attendance at the health department, though. Kent County will see nearly 15,000 patients in the three-Saturday period. Officials say things ran on schedule with most people making it through the process in less than a half-hour.