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CHEVERLY, Md. - People waited in long lines Thursday for their chance to get a swine flu vaccine at the H1N1 clinic held in Cheverly, Md. The clinic was aimed at vaccinating the most vulnerable to swine flu.
"They said there would have plenty for anyone who showed up before noon and that turned out not to be true," said Debbie Rogal, patient.
Anxiety over the virus now has thousands turning out to clinics like the one in Cheverly. There are 12 swine-flu deaths reported in Maryland with two being confirmed by the state Wednesday. Many parents who attended Thursday’s clinic say they're not taking chances.
"Just to protect him from illness. To make sure that he's protected throughout the year," said John Griffin, parent.
Alyson Essex was the first person in line when the clinic’s doors opened at 9 a.m.
"I thought about coming out here at midnight, but I waited until about 4:15 to wake up this morning and got here by five," said Essex.
Essex said she's been all over the capitol region trying to get the swine flu injectable for 5-year-old Sydney, but each time was turned away. Sydney is in the high risk group, a child and an asthmatic.
"A great deal of anxiety and that's why I was here today," said Essex.
Essex story ended well on Thursday. Sydney is now vaccinated, but hundreds more still worry they'll once again be shut out and that the roughly 1,500 vaccines on hand will be gone before they even see the door.
"We know that it's difficult to manufacture millions of dosages of vaccines at one time, but to alleviate the fears and concerns of the public they want the vaccine now and they don’t want to wait until later. So we’re releasing whatever we have to provide to our citizens," said Dr. Donald Shell, Prince George’s County Health Officer.
Prince George County Health Department is doing the swine flu clinics every Thursday until the vaccine runs out.
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