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A huge turnout for Thursday's flu clinic has put Crawford County emergency workers to the test, as hundreds began lining up before dawn to get their seasonal flu shots.
"We were here at 5:30 it was to start at 7:30 and we already had people lined up at 5:30 this morning and I believe that comes from the concern of whether there would be enough vaccine or not," says Dennis Gilstrap with county emergency services.
Police kept the lines moving, and even stopped letting drivers get in line just after two in the afternoon so they could make sure they finished on time.
But people waiting for their flu shots or the H1N1 shots say it was worth the wait to get protected before the regular flu season hits its stride. Jorge Reye's wife qualifies for the H1N1 vaccination, because she's 38 weeks pregnant.
"It's the best thing for our family," Reyes said, "and we're really concerned because if we don't get it now, it could be a long time before we get another chance."
Organizers say many people still had questions about the H1N1 vaccine, which is in limited supply, but nurses and volunteers made sure that the people who were at highest risk of severe complications were able to get the shot.
"We're only giving it to pregnant women, children younger than four and older than six months old, and anyone between five and 18 that has underlying health conditions like asthma or diabetes," said organizer Michelle Hammer.
The large turnout in Crawford County has officials elsewhere double-checking their plans, and putting out a call for more volunteers in case similar numbers show up at clinics Friday and Saturday.
If you missed the Crawford County clinic, you can try to get your flu shot at the Sebastian County Mass Flu Clinic on Friday. It's open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kay Rodgers Park.
"We were here at 5:30 it was to start at 7:30 and we already had people lined up at 5:30 this morning and I believe that comes from the concern of whether there would be enough vaccine or not," says Dennis Gilstrap with county emergency services.
Police kept the lines moving, and even stopped letting drivers get in line just after two in the afternoon so they could make sure they finished on time.
But people waiting for their flu shots or the H1N1 shots say it was worth the wait to get protected before the regular flu season hits its stride. Jorge Reye's wife qualifies for the H1N1 vaccination, because she's 38 weeks pregnant.
"It's the best thing for our family," Reyes said, "and we're really concerned because if we don't get it now, it could be a long time before we get another chance."
Organizers say many people still had questions about the H1N1 vaccine, which is in limited supply, but nurses and volunteers made sure that the people who were at highest risk of severe complications were able to get the shot.
"We're only giving it to pregnant women, children younger than four and older than six months old, and anyone between five and 18 that has underlying health conditions like asthma or diabetes," said organizer Michelle Hammer.
The large turnout in Crawford County has officials elsewhere double-checking their plans, and putting out a call for more volunteers in case similar numbers show up at clinics Friday and Saturday.
If you missed the Crawford County clinic, you can try to get your flu shot at the Sebastian County Mass Flu Clinic on Friday. It's open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kay Rodgers Park.
