Hundreds Vaccinated At Indian Wells Swine Flu Clinic

INDIAN WELLS – Hundreds of people came to get their Swine Flu vaccine Wednesday morning at an Indian Wells day spa. News Channel 3 talked to those feeling lucky they got their vaccine, and others who were turned away.

Matt Pritchett and his five-year-old daughter Natalie walk into a medical exam room.

“Someone at my work yesterday got the Swine Flu. I found out yesterday. As soon as I found out, decided it was time, went online, did a search. It had posted 11 minutes ago that they were going to be doing the vaccines today. I called right then and made an appointment,” says Pritchett.

Ryan Bogie is a La Quinta High School senior, “We run down a lot in High School. We’re really busy at the moment. Everything’s being done. College apps, all that good stuff. Lack of sleep. It’s important to be vaccinated.”

Many other local families made the same decision after News Channel 3 posted a story on KESQ.com Tuesday on the Eterna Medical Day Spa and Laser Center in Indian Wells. They had the rare vaccines while county medical clinics were all out.

Dr. Adam Weissman explains, “The government makes its decisions as for as who and where they ship it to. We didn’t even get a complete shipment. We have more on order.”

The available vaccine went quickly, and many who arrived early still had to be put on a waiting list. Shipments of the vaccine shot meant for people older than 50 are delayed indefinitely, leaving some disappointed.

Nancy Kerchman went home without a vaccine and says, “I just have a very bad heart and lung situation. I have no immune system. I just got out of the hospital Saturday and I need to find the shot. I understand I can go to Las Vegas now. That’s my next trip.”

Elliott Marshall works in an Indian Wells and says, “I work in a restaurant where a lot of people are sick coming in, either with the flu and hopefully not the H1N1.”

Those people turned away put their name on a priority list for the next vaccine shipment. But, more than a hundred people Wednesday morning left with peace of mind, including 6 year old Santino Suarez.

“I’m so happy because I’m not getting sick because I just got this. I’m just so happy,” he says.

The Eterna Medical Spa and Laser Center is at 75270 Highway 111, Suite 202. That’s located next to the Nest Restaurant and UBS Bank building. They can be reached by phone at 760-341-5247.