150 kids get H1N1 vaccine in McHenry Co.
Tricia Kennedy sat quietly in a chair at the Salvation Army in Crystal Lake Friday while a nurse gave the four-year-old from Fox River Grove the H1N1 flu vaccination - up her nose.
And after she got the two nose drops, Tricia displayed her "I got vaccinated" sticker with pride.
"Was it good?" her father Peter Kennedy asked.
The little girl smiled shyly and nodded yes.
Tricia was among about 150 children Friday to file into the Salvation Army building for a vaccination clinic put on by the McHenry County Department of Health.
Unlike clinics held elsewhere in the suburbs in recent weeks, the appointment-only event went quickly and smoothly, and everyone who showed up for a vaccination got one.
"I think it was so nice," said Kim Dunham, a Crystal Lake parent who had her daughter Lilly, 8, vaccinated. "You see in the news people waiting in long lines and it was nice to come in in less than five minutes."
This event, intended for children and pregnant women, was one of three the county offered this week.
The health department has ordered 35,000 doses of the vaccine, but has so far only received 4,300 doses. Officials don't know why they haven't received the rest or when they'll get it.
"In time, we will get our supply," said Debra Quackenbush, a health department spokeswoman. "It's just a matter of when."
The department has three clinics scheduled next week in Marengo, Woodstock and Crystal Lake. Each will vaccinate up to 650 adults and children.
In McHenry County, 23 residents have been hospitalized with the H1N1 virus, Quackenbush said. One, a 50-year-old Crystal Lake man who had a range of health issues, died.
Parents Friday said the vaccination is all about preventing the spread of the disease among children.
"She goes to preschool, so she's exposed to a lot of other kids," Peter Kennedy said, motioning to his daughter. "As long as enough people get vaccinated, I don't think we'll have the huge epidemic that people are afraid of."
For more information or to schedule a vaccination, visit www.mcdh.info or call (815) 334-2800.