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H1N1 vaccine has arrived in Portland, but those who need it most cannot get it
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Long lines form outside a local H1N1 vaccine clinic
The first clinic offering the H1N1 vaccine opened Thursday and despite officials telling the public that only those in the “high risk” group could be administered it, no one screened people to make sure of this. The clinic doors opened at 10 a.m. but by 7 a.m., a line had already started outside and by noon, the clinic closed, saying they were out of their allotted 400 doses of the vaccine. Over half of the 1200 people who stood in line for it were turned away, many of whom qualified as “high risk.”
The demographic of those considered in the “high risk” group include those six months to 24 years, caregivers of children younger than six months, pregnant women, the elderly and health care workers.
Many people have complained that their doctor’s offices have still not received the vaccine and are outraged that they cannot received it, even if they are in the “high risk” group. According to Multnomah County Health Officials, the county has only received 12,000 doses of the vaccine this season of which 8,000 have gone to health centers to vaccinate doctors and nurses, 3,000 more have gone to county and public clinics like the one mentioned above, leaving only about 1,200 doses to be allotted for private doctor’s offices. Health officials are urging those wanting the vaccine to be honest about following the rules of the “high risk” group priority and have patience that eventually there will be more of the vaccine available for everyone who wants it.
Over 1,300 people in Oregon have been hospitalized for H1N1 since just September, of which 10 have died. In Washington, 163 people have been hospitalized and 9 related deaths have been reported.
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