NORMAL - With six children at home and daily contact with young patients in a dental office, Joanna Laffey had plenty of reasons to get a H1N1 flu vaccination.

The McLean County Health Department hosted a flu-shot clinic for health-care workers Saturday at Calvary United Methodist Church.

"This is a good, indirect way to help prevent the flu at home," said Laffey, a dental hygienist at an office specializing in pediatric dentistry.

But co-workers and parents of patients have not expressed a lot of concern about the H1N1 flu bug, said Laffey who, like many people, has been following news updates on the virus.

"I've been keeping an eye on it. I'm not buying into the hysteria of it but I'm being aware. There's fine line between being cautious and going overboard," said Laffey.

Emily Lord, who works with Laffey, said the office has seen more cancellations recently.

"People have been very responsible about keeping their kids home if they're sick. We just ask them to reschedule," she said.

Walt Howe, director of the McLean County Health Department, expected a heavier turnout for the clinic, which attracted about 100 people in the first hour. Some healthcare workers may have received vaccinations at earlier clinics, he said.

"This is a critical population because they are working on the front lines with individuals who show signs of being sick," said Howe.

An estimated 6,000 people have received vaccinations in McLean County so far, said Howe.

About 20 health department workers and volunteers from the American Red Cross of the Heartland were on hand for the clinic.

Rickey Bryant works as a certified nurse assistant at a retirement home, a place where he feels special precautions are needed to protect elderly residents from becoming sick.

"Many of the people in the home where I work are in their 90s. We make sure they get their flu shots, so it seemed like a good idea for me to have one," said Bryant, who receives a seasonal flu shot every year.

ean County Health Department hosted a flu-shot clinic for health-care workers Saturday at Calvary United Methodist Church.

"This is a good, indirect way to help prevent the flu at home," said Laffey, a dental hygienist at an office specializing in pediatric dentistry.

But co-workers and parents of patients have not expressed a lot of concern about the H1N1 flu bug, said Laffey who, like many people, has been following news updates on the virus.

"I've been keeping an eye on it. I'm not buying into the hysteria of it but I'm being aware. There's fine line between being cautious and going overboard," said Laffey.

Emily Lord, who works with Laffey, said the office has seen more cancellations recently.

"People have been very responsible about keeping their kids home if they're sick. We just ask them to reschedule," she said.

Walt Howe, director of the McLean County Health Department, expected a heavier turnout for the clinic, which attracted about 100 people in the first hour. Some healthcare workers may have received vaccinations at earlier clinics, he said.

"This is a critical population because they are working on the front lines with individuals who show signs of being sick," said Howe.

An estimated 6,000 people have received vaccinations in McLean County so far, said Howe.

About 20 health department workers and volunteers from the American Red Cross of the Heartland were on hand for the clinic.

Rickey Bryant works as a certified nurse assistant at a retirement home, a place where he feels special precautions are needed to protect elderly residents from becoming sick.

"Many of the people in the home where I work are in their 90s. We make sure they get their flu shots, so it seemed like a good idea for me to have one," said Bryant, who receives a seasonal flu shot every year.