Flu Clinic Goes "Smoothly"

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- The wait Wednesday morning at the Bangor Civic Center for a flu vaccine was long for some people, but most everyone agreed it was worth it.

The Bangor Region Influenza Coalition announced Monday it would be holding this clinic for school children in public and private schools in the greater Bangor area.

It said it had 4,000 H1N1 vaccines, and 4,000 seasonal flu vaccines.

At 7 a.m. Wednesday, people started lining up to get their share of that shipment.

Kim Dunham, of Hampden, said she brought her three children to the clinic because she wants to make sure they're protected.

"Just scared of the risk of them getting the flu," she said. "Not something I want to take on."

The line quickly stretched outside and around the building. Nurses started administering the vaccine just before 8 a.m. And didn't stop all day.

Organizers said the seasonal flu clinics they've had for years helped them easily plan for this much larger clinic.  They also said a clinic of this type was the only way to be fair to the entire community.

"The alternative was to select schools. And that, we felt, wasn't fair," said Shawn Yardley, the director of Bangor Health and Community Services.  "So overall we will get more people at this one than the alternatives."

Yardley said he was aware of some people upset with the setup and the wait.  One complaint he heard was in regards to schools bussing their students to the civic center, and people said those students received special treatment.

As of 5 p.m., 2,631 H1N1 vaccines were administered, and 1,762 seasonal flu vaccines were given.  The clinic is scheduled to end at 9 p.m.

There is another clinic scheduled for the same time and place next Wednesday.  It, again, is for students of public and private schools in Bangor, Brewer, Clifton, Orrington, Dedham, S.A.D 22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport) S.A.D.63 (Eddington, Holden, Holbrook) R.S.U 14 (Hermon, Carmel, Levant) R.S.U 26 (Orono, Veazie, and Glenburn).