Wake County temporarily closes H1N1 vaccine clinics

"While the five Wake County H1N1 clinics that opened this morning have run out of vaccine, many physicians and pharmacies in our community do have vaccine available." said Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford.

The closure started at 4 p.m. after the county distributed more than 6,000 doses of the vaccine at five clinics.

Karen North waited in line two hours to get her sons vaccinated at the Public Health Center, G-35, 10 Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh, on Monday.

“I didn’t think it was bad. It’s worth it. I want my kids to be healthy,” North said.

Marcus Melvin brought his young son to get vaccinated as well.

“Well, we saw it on the news this morning and my son has been dealing with asthma for a little bit so we decided to come on out and see if he could get his shot today,” Melvin said.

By mid-morning more than 500 people had been vaccinated.

About 3,900 doses of last week's shipment of the H1N1 vaccine went to private doctors and pharmacies.

Growing Child Pediatrics, 11130 Capital Blvd. in Wake Forest, got about 300 doses – one-third of what they ordered.

"At this point, we are just trying to prioritize and get those patients who would benefit from it the most right now," said Dr. Sharmell Wilson, of Growing Child Pediatrics.

Wilson said their doses were reserved for children under 2 and those with chronic illnesses.

Ledford said anyone who still wants to receive the H1N1 vaccine should call their primary care provider or local pharmacy.

The county anticipates that there will be sufficient supply of H1N1 vaccine over the next few months.

Cumberland, Durham, Franklin and Orange counties are also distributing the H1N1 vaccine.

The Franklin County Health Department will offer the H1N1 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 35 months on Tuesday, at 107 Industrial Drive in Louisburg.

Durham County plans to hold regular clinics on Wednesdays as long as supply is steady. The next clinic will be Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Durham National Guard Armory, 801 Stadium Drive.

The Cumberland County Public Health Department will host vaccination clinics Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon, at 227 Fountainhead Lane. The county is targeting pregnant women, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, people who live with children under 6 months old and those with underlying medical conditions.