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Houstonians Wait in Line for Flu Shots

Thousands of Houstonians are finding themselves waiting in line to get a flu shot. Until now, a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine meant only children and women who are pregnant have been getting the shot. As Bill Stamps reports the city has more doses available, but getting one still takes time.

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Paul Furrh arrived at Southwest Houston clinic around 8 in the morning hoping to get a H1N1 flu shot for his two children. As he waited in line, ten minutes went by, then an half hour, and  an hour. It was nearly two hours later that the Furrh family made it inside. That didn’t bother Paul.

“I’m not surprised.”

Bill: “Why is that?”

“Because I figured it would be a long line.”

Another woman who goes by the name of AJ pulled into the parking lot expecting to walk right in. The line surprised her, but she said she’d wait as long as she had to.

“I have to for my girls cause I mean they have insurance but I can’t find the vaccine anywhere else so I have to. How old are they? Three and One.” 

(sound of child crying) 

Inside every available seat in the lobby was taken. Many of the children were restless but most people seemed to be patient. Evelyn Taylor works at the clinic and says they didn’t expect so many people.

“Maybe a few people, like 30 people, but this is a rush. We’re not expecting this at all. I don’t think it’s going to be enough the way it seems. I don’t think so. We might run out.”

The health department says deaths from H1N1 are actually lower than the regular flu. And they’re asking the public to be patient if they do run out of the vaccine.

Bill Stamps, KUHF-Houston Public Radio News.

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