The story is no story.

That may sound contradictory.

After all weren’t long lines expected outside H1N1 virus clinics? Weren’t people expected to be clamoring to get the vaccination? But that’s not happening even among first responders and those working in medical environments – the next group after children, teens and those at risk – eligible to get the vaccination.

Kent Hospital was prepared for the multitudes Saturday as it ran a clinic for one of the state’s 10 health service regions. West Warwick High School was converted into a quick turn around clinic so that police, firefighters, nurses and health care workers could be immunized against the swine flu. The plan was basically a giant circle. In the first classroom with its wall of bubbling fish tanks, people found desks where they could complete forms before walking down a corridor where they were injected or received a dose of nasal spray before going to a third classroom, not far from the door they entered. There they waited at another desk for 15 minutes in the event they should have an adverse reaction.

The hospital was prepared.

There were scores of people to oversee the registration process, administer vaccinations and stand watch as people sat out their 15 minutes. Police were stationed in the parking lot to direct traffic. The hospital had 4,000 doses of H1N1 vaccination at the ready. The doors opened at 11 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m.

By 2:30 p.m. fewer than 160 people had come through and operators opened the doors to the general public. They went next door to the West Warwick Civic Center where hundreds had congregated for the weekly flea market and spread the word that free vaccinations were available. A few people took them up on the offer, but that was it. There was no stampede.

By 5 p.m. a total of 246 people had been vaccinated.

So much for 4,000. So much for the long lines and people anxious to be protected against the pandemic that carried the headlines in October.

Is the flu over?

Dr. Paul McKenney, Kent’s Assistant Chief Medical Officer, isn’t prepared to come to that conclusion.

“There’s still the likelihood of another flare up,” he said. McKenney said H1N1, which has been the predominate strain, has preformed “very differently” than the seasonal flu. He said that almost all flu-like symptoms are H1N1, but unlike seasonal flu the H1N1 surfaced last spring and again in the fall or outside the conventional February to March flu season. He says it is possible we could see another bout of swine flu.

“We are knocking it down by as much herd immunity as possible,” he said. With so many people immunized, the flu doesn’t have sufficient carriers to run wild through the population.

“By getting vaccinated you’re protecting yourself and others in the community,” he said. “Hopefully we can prevent a spring surge.”

McKenney notes the vaccine has been proven safe.

“There’s no reason not to do it,” he said.

Kent’s director of communications James Beardsworth reasons the clinic may have been far slower than anticipated because many first responders and medical personnel have gotten vaccinations at the hospital.

Meanwhile the Department of Health has announced that municipal-run clinics are to start this Saturday for public vaccinations. Clinics are planned by those communities adjoining Warwick, but not here.

Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said yesterday he is working with East Greenwich Emergency Management Agency director William Higgins to hold a join clinic at East Greenwich High in February.

These clinics will be free of charge and no appointments are necessary. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to be vaccinated at these clinics but do not need to live in the city or town where the clinic is being held. To view a schedule of public clinics, visit www.health.ri.gov/flu/about/municipalh1n1clinics/index.php. (In the event of inclement weather, clinics may be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.) No identification will be required at these clinics; however, anyone who will be vaccinated must complete and sign a consent form, which can be found on the HEALTH Web site.

There are adequate outlets to meet the demand, assuming there is a demand. CVS and Walgreen’s offer the vaccinations, charging an administrative fee of less than $20. Primary care physicians have access to the vaccination and there are now sufficient supplies. VNA of Care New England will conduct weekly Saturday clinics at their office on Health Lane next to the hospital beginning this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Those with health insurance are asked to bring their cards so that their insurer will be charged the administrative fee. Those without insurance won’t be charged said Paula Foster, RN and VNA occupational health nurse.

Warwick residents can also take advantage of other municipal clinics. The Coventry clinic will be held at the Coventry High School on Feb. 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. The West Warwick clinic is Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school and the Cranston clinic is Jan. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Park View Middle School.

“Our goal is to vaccinate half a million Rhode Islanders by Valentine’s Day to protect them from the spring wave of H1N1,” Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH said in a statement. “Even people who consider themselves to be healthy should be vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way for people to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu. If we vaccinate as many people as possible, it is less likely that we will see a third wave of illness this spring.”

Department spokeswoman Annmarie Beardsworth said Monday the H1N1 virus is still around only that it is local.

“We don’t want them,” she said of those who haven’t received the vaccination, “to be lulled into a false sense of security.”

McKenney knows many people have tuned out H1N1 and believe there is no reason to get vaccinated. In fact, he couldn’t convince at least one of the volunteers assisting with Saturday’s clinic to get the shot.

“We’ll be perfectly happy if people say nothing happened,” he said.

In other words, at this point, no story could well be the H1N1 story.