The first H1N1 vaccine clinic in Metro Louisville is underway with more than 2,000 people vaccinated in the first two hours.
The drive-thru and walk-in clinics are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. They are being in the parking lot just south of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It is for those people who are considered to be high-risk. That means pregnant women, children between 6 months and 4 years old, people who care for babies, children between 5 and 18 with chronic medical conditions, healthcare workers and emergency first responders.
"My doctor told me it was a good idea to come get the shot to protect me and my baby," says Mandy Lesshafft, a pregnant mother. "I also have a 2 year old at home."
The Department of Health and Wellness has 15,000 vaccine doses to distribute for free. Both nasal mist doses and shots will be availble. The clinics are scheduled to run Wednesday and Thursday from 8am - 8pm or until the supply runs out.
“These are only the first of several opportunities to get H1N1 vaccine in the upcoming weeks,” said Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Adewale Troutman. “We will be holding more community clinics as well as clinics at public, parochial and private schools.” Clinics for public, parochial and private school children in area schools are scheduled for later this month."
Because of traffic tie ups Wednesday morning, Health Department workers are urging people to use the walk-in clinic as well as the free bus service through Tarc. Those busses will run every 30 minutes between 8:30am and 4:30pm from these community government centers :
Urban Government Center, 810 Barret Ave.
East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway
Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
The Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway
"[Central Avenue] is one lane. One lane in to make the right here and everybody is backed up, waiting," says Teresa Heinz-Smith, who drove her pregnant daughter to the clinic and opted not to get a shot for herself because she isn't considered high-risk.
You don't have to bring anything with you, but you do have to fill out a form when you get there. To help relieve waiting time, you can download that form by visiting www.louisvilleky.gov/health , filling it out in advance and bringing it with you.
For more information, visit the website, or call the Louisville H1N1 Flu Hotline at 568-H1N1 (4161). The line is answered weekdays 8am-8pm.
The Department of Public Health and Wellness has already distributed 47,000 H1N1 vaccine doses to 120 area hospitals and health care providers.
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