Inside the Veterans Memorial Building, hundreds of people lined
up Thursday to get free-of-charge and tear-free flu vaccinations,
in the form of a nasal spray provided by the county’s public health
department.
Inside the Veterans Memorial Building, hundreds of people lined up Thursday to get free-of-charge and tear-free flu vaccinations, in the form of a nasal spray provided by the county’s public health department.
“It’s free – free is always good. And no needles,” said Tyler Ellis while waiting in line for his vaccination.
Despite most people’s pleasure at the absence of needles, a few cries could still be heard from upset toddlers. Still, the majority of people seemed happy to get their influenza vaccinations at no cost.
The San Benito County Public Health Department provided the vaccinations Thursday afternoon, both as a service to the community and also as a way to test its emergency preparedness in the case of a public health emergency.
The health agency needed to test its ability to provide vaccinations to the community – should there be some kind of emergency.
“Everyone here is being timed because we want to see how quickly we could inoculate everyone,” said Sam Perez, projects director with public health services.
Since there was a necessity to test the agency’s preparedness, Perez said they decided to provide the flu vaccinations simultaneously.
“We’re not just doing drills for the sake of doing drills. We’re doing something that helps the community,” Perez said.
Joseph Alvarado, emergency services director, said this was the “double benefit” of Thursday’s clinic.
The vaccinations were provided by the state through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were 750 doses of FluMist available, and 130 people signed up in the first eight minutes of the clinic. By the end, 744 vaccinations were given – meaning all but six of the doses were used.
After getting her vaccination, 9-year-old Aly Agredano said it was much better than the alternative of a shot.
“We got, like, a mist going up your nose,” she said.
Aly said that she thought getting the flu vaccine was important. Having had the bug many times before, she knows it’s “not fun.”
Tammy Agredano, Aly’s mom, said she decided to come out because the flu vaccination was offered as a spray.
“Kids don’t like needles – and I’ve never gotten a flu shot, ever,” she said.
Agredano said she was impressed that health and human services was providing the vaccination for free.
“I wonder if we’re going to be the healthiest town on the map,” she said.
