H1N1 vaccine arrives in Capital Region

ALBANY - A few county health departments and at least one local hospital got their order for one type of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

As promised, the first orders filled are for the FluMist version of the vaccine that's sprayed in the nose. That's geared for people younger than 49.

Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady county departments of health each received 500 doses.

First responders, pregnant women, children, teens and young adults up to age 24, health care providers and healthy adults with certain medical conditions get first priority for swine flu vaccine.

More Information:

CDC: General Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Safety  Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System  NYS Dept. of Hleath: H1N1 Influenza

Albany Medical Center also received a shipment. In fact, Albany Med got 10 times more FluMist than it ordered - 1,000 doses instead of the 100 it asked for.

Albany Med's shipment came as a bit of a surprise. They weren't expecting it until Wednesday.

The larger than expected batch means the hospital is working double time to get a distribution plan in place.

Even as this vaccine arrives, people in the Capital Region are scrambling to find seasonal flu vaccine. Many local doctors haven't had their orders filled.

"I'm frustrated," said Dr. Irina Kaplan of Clifton Park. "I cannot provide it to [my patients]."

Kaplan is troubled because the big buyers, drug store chains and discount stores, got their orders filled, but her order for 300 doses has so far been ignored.

"I think it's a good option that the pharmacies have it because if somebody doesn't have a primary physician the person can always go and have it there, but it shouldn't be the only option," Kaplan said.

The Department of Health says this is just a wrinkle in the system. They say many big companies ordered from more than one supplier and when all that's straightened out, everyone will get the vaccine they ordered.

But in the meantime, it's frustrating for those who rely on their physician for the vaccine.