People take advantage of the H1N1 vaccine in Georgia-Carolina

AUGUSTA, Ga. - People in Georgia-Carolina are taking advantage of the H1N1 vaccine clinics. Richmond County Health Department tells NBC Augusta 26 News more people got the H1N1 vaccine than the seasonal flu shot. The first round of the vaccine is enough for 1500 people. It's a shot Keith Diver says he needed to get. “I typically catch the flu every year. Because I'm high risk and I have asthma and I’m a diabetic. Diver had to make two trips to the Health Department on Laney Walker Boulevard before he could get the H1N1 vaccination. “I headed this way this morning but I didn't make the cut off. I had to come back early before they ran out of shots again,” said Diver. Patricia Rhodes waited in line with him. “I have asthma so I have to make sure I do that,” said Rhodes. Nurses at the health department say they knew people were eager to get the vaccine but they didn't know the turn out would be so big. “It's been steady all day. It's been crowded registration is taking longer than getting the shot,” said Teresa Caltella, Richmond County Health Department. Health officials recommend you get the vaccine if you are pregnant or live with children younger than six months, or anyone who has a chronic medical condition or weak immune system. The Richmond County Health department says they have 1200 more vaccines available. They plan on keeping the department open for shots until they run out. The CDC plans on releasing more vaccines for the seasonal and H1N1 flu at the end of the month. There is no charge to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.

 

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