Arkansas Department of Health officials say community volunteers were the key to the success of October's mass flu clinics. Volunteers kept residents patient during the long wait in drizzly weather. The department has released a total of flu shots given during the three day clinics.
The state is calling the event one of the largest mass vaccination efforts in Arkansas history. Health officials say 172,873 doses of the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine were given to residents across the state.
Nearly 24,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine were administered, but because of a shortage, those shots were only given children and pregnant women.
"I am overwhelmed by the numbers of people who have received vaccinations," said Dr. Paul Halverson, director of the Health Department. "This will go a long way toward developing immunity in our most vulnerable populations."
Bad weather played a huge role at vaccination events across the area, but most clinics went smoothly.
"We wish that we would have had sunny skies so that families and children wouldn't have to have been in damp, cold conditions," Dr. Halverson said. "We appreciate the public's patience and understandingÂ…This was a community effort and we truly appreciate the support."
Randy Lee, Director, ADH Center for Local Public Health, said, "I have never been prouder knowing what they accomplished under such trying circumstances with horrible weather, huge crowds and vaccine shortages. It's not an exaggeration to say that what they have done is both historic and heroic."
But the effort is not over, the state plans to hold additional mass flu clinics later in the year as more of the H1N1 vaccination becomes available. It will continue to be given to priority groups - pregnant women, children ages 6 months through 24 years, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions. But health officials say eventually everyone can get vaccinated against the flu.
"We will have enough seasonal and H1N1 vaccine in the coming months to give it to anyone in Arkansas that wants to be vaccinated," Dr. Halverson said.
For more information on the flu and staying healthy in Arkansas, click here.
The state is calling the event one of the largest mass vaccination efforts in Arkansas history. Health officials say 172,873 doses of the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine were given to residents across the state.
Nearly 24,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine were administered, but because of a shortage, those shots were only given children and pregnant women.
"I am overwhelmed by the numbers of people who have received vaccinations," said Dr. Paul Halverson, director of the Health Department. "This will go a long way toward developing immunity in our most vulnerable populations."
Bad weather played a huge role at vaccination events across the area, but most clinics went smoothly.
"We wish that we would have had sunny skies so that families and children wouldn't have to have been in damp, cold conditions," Dr. Halverson said. "We appreciate the public's patience and understandingÂ…This was a community effort and we truly appreciate the support."
Randy Lee, Director, ADH Center for Local Public Health, said, "I have never been prouder knowing what they accomplished under such trying circumstances with horrible weather, huge crowds and vaccine shortages. It's not an exaggeration to say that what they have done is both historic and heroic."
But the effort is not over, the state plans to hold additional mass flu clinics later in the year as more of the H1N1 vaccination becomes available. It will continue to be given to priority groups - pregnant women, children ages 6 months through 24 years, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions. But health officials say eventually everyone can get vaccinated against the flu.
"We will have enough seasonal and H1N1 vaccine in the coming months to give it to anyone in Arkansas that wants to be vaccinated," Dr. Halverson said.
For more information on the flu and staying healthy in Arkansas, click here.
