No problems at H1N1 school clinics

LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Department of Health says the state's school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics have been running smoothly through two days. 

And the Health Director tells us there is enough vaccine to last through at least two weeks of clinics.

Eyewitness News spoke to families outside one clinic in Lincoln on Tuesday, where the line was about twenty feet out of the door before the vaccinations even got underway.  It was one of  58 clinics that  will be conducted by the end of the week.

Parents we spoke to were eager to get their children vaccinated, but the kids were not as eager.

"I don't like shots," says Ariana Desmarais, likely echoing the sentiments of many kids her age.

But her mom, Kerri, says she explained to her daughter the importance of being vaccinated.

"It's going to help her feel better and she'll be able not to get the flu."

Parents at this clinic tell Eyewitness News they feel lucky their school was randomly chosen to get the vaccine on day two. But the Health Department insists schools that fall later on the list, will also get their vaccines.

"We're hoping the more we get the vaccine out, and the more we take precautions, the fewer people will get ill, " says Rhode Island Health Director David Gifford.

Gifford also tells us there have been no organizational problems at any of the clinics so far.

• Full Schedule of H1N1 School Vaccination Clinics
• School Vaccination Parental Consent Form
• Rhode Island Schools Daily Absence Report
• In-Depth Coverage of the H1N1 Flu