Published: November 14, 2009 10:25 pm      

Offering protection to the public

Pulaski County distributes H1N1 vaccines during open clinic

WINAMAC — Before the doors even opened, approximately 150 people were waiting for to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Halfway into Saturday’s H1N1 open-clinic event, 20 Pulaski County nurses had administered around 350 doses of the vaccine in both shot and mist forms.

Sherry Fagner, Pulaski County Health Department preparedness coordinator, was pleased to see the turnout. When the day started, she said she would have been happy with giving out at least 400 doses.

“We will exceed that number by the time we are done,” she said. “I think people realize it is not going away and are taking it serious.”

According to Fagner, a mock drill for emergency preparedness the health department held in May was also beneficial in conducting the flu vaccine clinic.

“We said it more than once today, we are all glad we did that,” she said. “It not only helped with the planning, but with traffic flow too.”

She was also pleased with the response from members of District 2 health departments, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the K-9 Crisis Response Team and more than 100 volunteers who came out to assist with the clinic.

Dr. Jean Marie Thompson, K-9 Crisis Response Team leader, had eight therapy dogs at the clinic. The group is based out of Elkhart County, but covers all of Indiana. Each dog is trained in crisis response.

She felt the group’s presence was important, especially for children.

“They’ve been walking the line while people have been waiting and have gone inside where the vaccine is being administered,” she said.

The dogs were able to help distract the children, who were able to pet the animals while receiving the shot.

Jan Lovas, of Mishawaka, brought her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chelsea with her. Lovas also felt the dogs were beneficial to the children.

“The kids are not anticipating the negative as much,” she said. “It helps cut down on the tears a bit.”

Winamac resident Martin Finley and his wife, Mary, were among those seeking the vaccine.

Mary wanted to receive the vaccine simply to help the community. She felt if she became immune to H1N1, it would help the flu from spreading even more.

Martin had been looking forward to the opportunity of receiving the shot, so when he heard about the clinic he decided not to waste any time.

“Hopefully it will help,” he said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com