Despite Vaccine Shortage, Clinics Continue

No sooner had four-and-a-half-year-old Meghan Roy and her baby sister Caidie arrived at the Town Hall with their mom for a swine flu shot, than the two girls had pink sparkly Hello Kitty band aids on their arms, and pink lollipops in their mouths. Not a tear was shed.

The Roys were among 60 high-priority Darien residents who received an H1N1 vaccine at the Town Hall on Tuesday. It was the first clinic that the Health Department has held since last week’s “Vax & Vote,” where hundreds of frustrated residents were turned away as supplies ran dry. In stark contrast to that clinic, Tuesday's was small, civilized, and by-appointment only.

Along with the rest of the nation, Darien is facing a severe shortage of seasonal and swine flu vaccine. The snail's pace in vaccine production has resulted in even slower shipments; and small towns like Darien are receiving limited supplies.

Of the 3000 bottles of Tamiflu shipped to hospitals and community clinics throughout Connecticut on Monday, Darien received not a single dose. But that hasn’t stopped the Health Department from running H1N1 vaccination clinics—at least very small ones.

“What’s good about it is that it’s nothing like you see on the news: no long lines, no chaos,” said Knauf of Tuesday’s by-appointment only clinic.

Knauf continues to schedule appointments according to the Federal government’s priority list. Until vaccine is readily available, Knauf and his staff can only set up small clinics to  inoculate those considered particularly vulnerable: pregnant women and mothers of newborns, EMS personnel, children with medical conditions and the very young.

Dawn Roy said her girls “fit the list,” and when her elder son was diagnosed with H1N1, she began calling providers in the area.

“I was on a number of waiting lists,” said Roy. “With all the media attention—it’s scary. I just didn’t want to take the risk, and I wanted to get them done.”

Like many doctors in the state overwhelmed by demand, Roy’s pediatrician opted not to administer the H1N1 vaccine at all. Roy contacted the Health Department, and within 10 days had scheduled two appointments.

“I was thoroughly impressed,” said Roy.

The clinic, which started at 8 a.m. and ran through 3 p.m., continued with patients similar to the Roy sisters. There were a few tears, but for the most part, calm prevailed in Room 119, as nurses Kathy Kenyan and Nancy Kapuse worked together, administering vaccines and lollipops at a steady pace.

Knauf said he was happy with the clinic, though he wishes he had more vaccine to administer. There are a few doses left from last weeks 300-dose shipment, but Knauf said he is uncertain when the next will arrive.

An added challenge, said Knauf, is that FluMist nasal spray seems to be more readily available than injectible vaccine. Not everyone can receive FluMist, however. The nasal spray contains live H1N1 virus, so it’s reserved for “healthy” children, not those on the high priority list.

“I’m hoping—I’m hoping—that we get more injectible, so that we can run a similar clinic next week,” said Knauf. “But you never know.”

If you or a family member is in the priority group call the Health Department office at 203-656-7320 or email ekilbourn@darien.ct.gov.