OLATHE, Kan. -- Johnson County Health Department officials set up an impromptu free clinic after they had hundreds of doses of the H1N1 vaccine left over from the weekend.
Hundreds of parents filled out forms and occupied their little ones while waiting, sometimes more than an hour, to get their child vaccinated.
For some, it even meant bringing a portable DVD player to pass the time.
Parents we talked to say long lines are a small price to pay for their child's safety.
"We were debating it, we weren't going to get it," says Ashley Elston who admits she's been discussing it with other mothers. "But we've talked through it with each other and our pediatricians and decided it is better to get it than take a chance."
Father of two, Dexter Klug, says the lines aren't ideal.
"I'm glad I parked on the street, because if I had pulled in and seen this line, I might have turned around," he said.
The clinic serves Johnson County residents only on a first-come, first-served basis. The vaccines are intended for priority groups including pregnant women. Other priority groups include children ages six-months to four-years-old and anyone that cares for a child under six-months old who is too young for the vaccine.
Health officials say children ages 5 to 18 years old with health conditions that would be complicated by the flu are also considered a priority group along with health care workers.
Johnson County health department officials say they will continue the clinics at their offices, at 11875 S. Sunset in Olathe, every day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. until they run out of doses. They were expecting to deplete the supply on Monday.
