Hundreds Get in Line for Swine Flu Vaccine
By JONATHAN LLOYD
Updated 12:45 PM PST, Fri, Oct 23, 2009
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It looked like the lineup for the latest video game system or a new Harry Potter movie -- minus the wizard gear.
But the hundreds of people in line at 5 a.m., Friday at the Balboa Sports Complex were waiting for swine flu vaccinations.
By 11 a.m., the line expanded to 1,000 people. Officials said they anticipate 3,000 people by Friday afternoon.
Officials said another clinic at Veterans Auditorium in Culver City is "swamped." That clinic was scheduled to close at 1 p.m.
The clinics will offer the vaccine in various forms, including the FluMist nasal spray, injectable and thimerasol-free.
The clinic schedule will be released two weeks at a time. The clinics will operate through at least December.
Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the complications of the virus, according to health officials, making it "extremely important" that they be vaccinated. At least 28 pregnant women have died nationwide as a result of the flu virus. Those who are pregnant should seek the injectable version of the vaccine.
Priority groups for the vaccine include:
- Pregnant women
- Young people 6 months to 24 years old
- Caregivers for children under 6 months of age
- Health care workers and emergency service personnel
- Individuals 25-64 with health conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications
Copyright City News Service / NBC Los Angeles
First Published: Oct 23, 2009 11:32 AM PST
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