Residents line up for H1N1 vaccine

These article about H1N1 vaccine.

PULASKI — John and Amy Matczak of Sobieski decided Wednesday that the close proximity of the H1N1 flu vaccine clinic was worth loading up their four small children and taking the short road trip.

They were among several hundred who turned out at the Pulaski Middle School for the first of two public clinics this week sponsored by the Brown County Health Department. The second clinic is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. today at Shopko Hall in Ashwaubenon.

"It's their first one," Amy Matczak said, referring to her 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old twins. "It wasn't a problem. They got the (nasal) mist."

These are the first vaccines available locally to the general public after the health officials determined that target groups — primarily pregnant women, children younger than 10 years, and those with health problems — were adequately covered and more vaccines became available.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say 85 million doses of the vaccine are now available and 10 million more are coming out every week.

Marcee Gohr, a nurse at the Pulaski Middle School, said a line began to form 45 minutes before the clinic opened at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and the traffic remained steady as people of all ages came for vaccinations in the school auditorium.

Gordon Maki of Suamico was one of them. He received a regular flu shot in September but wanted to get the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it became available.

The CDC announced Wednesday that 800,000 doses of the vaccine intended for young children are being recalled because the antigen content is below specified limits. However, the CDC said the vaccine is safe.

Judy Friederichs, director of the Brown County Health Department, said none of the doses have been sent to Green Bay.

"Parents don't need to do anything about it," Friederichs said.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Health Services reported Wednesday that four more people have died from the H1N1 flu, bringing the state death toll to 47 since April.

The new deaths were reported in the last week in Bayfield, Dane, Milwaukee and Polk counties.

The department says the number of H1N1-related hospitalizations has also increased to 854 even though the number of overall cases is declining all over the state at the moment.

Public health officials say another wave of cases could be coming, and now is a good time to get vaccinated.

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