Monroe County held its first H1N1 Flu clinics Thursday at five different locations. The Medley Center, the Penfield Town Hall, the West End Business Center, the First Bible Baptist Church, and the Dome Center in Henrietta. More than 8,000 people were vaccinated. Most of those vaccines were administered at the Dome Center. Twenty-six-hundred people got the H1N1 vaccine there.

The lines formed well before ten in the morning. Despite the rain people kept coming. Although some found a creative way to stay dry.

"Actually my husband waited this morning. That's the ticket so that when I got here at ten o'clock I sent him home to go get a nice warm shower," said Joan Sperandio of Pittsford.

Once inside as many as 300 people an hour were given the H1N1 flu vaccine. Mostly kids, young adults under the age of 24, and those who care for infants. Those with underlying health conditions were also given the vaccine.

"I'm a high risk person, a diabetic, so I need to get the shot to protect myself and my family," said Kip Dwyer of Henrietta.

The clinic wasn't perfect, twice people were turned away. Once, when children's vaccine needed to be restocked, and again when the after school rush finished off the first 2-thousand doses. Six-hundred new doses arrived too late for one parent.

"He's seven months I’m doing it as precautionary measure I don't like all the hype but I don't want to take those chances," said Jennifer Congilaro.

Despite the problems, Monroe County Public Health Director Dr. Andrew Doniger said some things worked and some things didn't.

"One thing is we had some bad weather early this morning, and some people got stuck outside and got wet. And that shouldn't have happened," said Doniger.

With five more clinics planned Saturday there's time to iron things out. That's little consolation to those who didn't get the vaccine.

“Now we all run around missing work and everything else just to get a shot that most likely won't even be necessary," said Congilaro.

Five more H1N1 clinics will be held in Monroe County on Saturday, November 21 from 10 am until 6 pm at the following locations.
Medley Center in Irondequoit
Blue Cross Arena in Rochester
Penfield Town Hall on 3100 Atlantic Ave.
West End Business Center on 803 West Ave. in Rochester
First Bible Baptist Church on 990 Manitou Rd. in Hilton.

Monroe County Public Health