Hundreds line up for first round of H1N1 vaccines

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Area residents hoping to protect themselves against the H1N1 virus lined up Friday for the state Department of Health's first offerings of the vaccines in Williamsport.

Nurses and local paramedics were administering the shots to about 250 people per hour, according to Northcentral District Office Executive Director Doug Koscalka.

Despite a heavy turnout of people at mid-afternoon shortly after the doors were first opened for the vaccines, he said there should be sufficient doses available for the rest of the weekend.

That's because everyone to be vaccinated had to be registered for appointments.

"No walk-ins this weekend," he said. "Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough."

The vaccines were given to people who signed up for the shots in one-hour time blocks between 2 and 8 p.m. Friday.

"It's going smooth," Koscalka said at about 3 p.m.

Among those receiving shots were Kris and Kyle Sampsell, both of Williamsport.

The two brothers said protecting themselves against the H1N1 virus was sufficient reason to be vaccinated.

"I got it because I heard about young people being susceptible to it and even dying from it," Kyle, of Williamsport, said. "And I didn't want to give it to anybody else."

Kris, 21, of Williamsport, said he works at a grocery store and wanted to take every precaution he could against H1N1.

Additional appointment slots for vaccines should be available this weekend, Koscalka said.

Vaccines will be offered by appointment only today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at 1000 Commerce Park Drive, Water Tower Square, Williamsport, as well as at state Health Department sites in Wellsboro and State College.

Registration can be done online at www.H1N1inPA.com or by calling 1-877-724-3258.

People who fall in the following groups most at risk for contracting the H1N1 virus may receive the shots:

Individuals between the ages of 6 months and 24 years.

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months.

Health care providers and emergency medical services personnel.

Individuals under 65 years of age with underlying health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.