November 3, 2009 H1N1 clinics come to Vermont Play video

(NECN: Anya Huneke, Websterville, Vt.) - Public flu vaccinations began Tuesday in Vermont, with long lines forming well before clinic doors opened.

It was an indication that many are trying to ward off the H1N1 virus that is now prevalent across the state -- particularly, health officials believe, in schools.

Principal Bill Croteau came to work Tuesday armed with disinfectant and went through the Websterville Baptist Christian School in Central Vermont meticulously. He was alone one the job.

Almost one quarter of his 143 students stayed or went home sick on Monday. He decided to close the school for two days.

"Everyone agreed it was in the best interest of families and the school," Principal Croteau said.

Croteau said the H1N1 virus has not been confirmed in any of the cases, but health officials believe it is responsible for high rates of absenteeism this year.

And in a small, child-centered environment like this pre-through-high school, they said it can spread easily.

This year, with the threat of the H1N1 virus a widespread concern, the school has adopted a new motto when it comes to students: when in doubt, keep them out.

"I'm not a big proponent of staying in school just to stay in school," Principal Croteau said.

Meanwhile, the Vermont Health Department on Tuesday held the first of its H1N1 vaccine clinics for the public.

"We've had a tremendous number of calls in the last week about the clinic,"

The line outside the site in Middlebury started forming hours before the clinic was set to open at four.

"There's no other way to go about this. I can't call the doctor and get it, or got to another place, so we all have to line up and hope we're there early enough," Neil Brogan said while waiting in line.

The 37 clinics scheduled thus far target those at high risk: pregnant women, individuals under age 24, infant caregivers, health care workers and people with medical conditions.

"There may be a point when the clinics first start up that demand is higher than we actually have for the vaccine," Deb Wilcox said.

Wilcox is the chief of public health nursing in Vermont, and said the state does expect to receive more vaccines and schedule more clinics soon in hopes of reaching as many people this flu season as possible.

If you missed NECN's special H1N1: What You Need to Know, you can watch it in its entirety by visiting your Comcast On Demand menu, clicking "get local," then "local networks," then "NECN." It will be available through the end of November. You can also watch segments of the program on NECN.com's H1N1 Latest News page.