By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
October 31, 2009 - 08:48 a.m. EST

CARO — Sunrise was several hours away when Gina Paquette lined up for a flu clinic Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall outside of Caro.

“I got in town about 3:30 a.m.” said Paquette of Millington, whose 27-year-old daughter and two-month-old grandchild were sitting in the car waiting for the clinic to start at 9 a.m.

Sarah Sherman of Mayville was in line at 5:45 a.m. to have her children vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.

An hour before the clinic opened, there were about 100 people waiting in line for the vaccine.

When Doug Lautner, the commander of the Michigan State Police Posts in Caro and Bad Axe arrived, the waiting line stretched out onto the road.

“It was all very well organized,” he said. “They got them through the line fast.”

The department had about 800 flu-mist nasal spray doses, and about 300 vaccine doses.

“We had 970 come through,” reported TCHD Nursing Administrator Ann Hepfer, R.N.B.S.

However, just because someone was in line early didn’t necessarily mean they got the vaccine.

“We had to turn away those who didn’t qualify,” said Hepfer, noting only a particular segment is being given the shots right now.

The priority groups are: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants under age 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings and daycare providers), health-care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material, children aged 6 months - 4 years, and children and adolescents aged 5 -18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

Children and healthy young adults between 2-24 years of age, with no chronic illnesses such as asthma, would be eligible for the H1N1 flu mist nasal spray.

The spray is the live-attenuated vaccine as compared to the inactivated vaccine that most of the above group would be receiving.

Healthy children and young adults between 2-24 years of age who do not want the nasal spray will need to wait for an adequate supplies of injectable inactivated vaccine.

“The CDC (Center for Disease Control) set the criteria. We have to follow it,” said Hepfer. “We had to turn away some who didn’t meet the criteria... the elderly, and some medical care workers who don’t have direct contact with patients.”

However, as of Friday, the following have been added as priority: Persons aged 6 months through 64 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications - diabetes, transplant individuals, asthma, COPD, emphysema, cancer, blood disorders, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain or spinal cord injuries, moderate-to-profound intellectual disability, or developmental delays, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, weakened immune systems HIV, AIDS, or on medications that weaken the immune system.

Screening will be done using the above criteria to receive service.

These clinics are by appointment only and made by calling (989) 673-8114 ext. 110. Clinics will be Wednesday 10:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-5:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:45-3:30 p.m.

Parents or legal guardians must be present for children under age 18, no exceptions.