HARRISONVILLE, Mo. – Vaccine’s for the new H1N1 virus are here. But getting one could be difficult.
The Cass County Health Department just got 500 doses of the flu vaccine mist. The mist is only for healthy people from ages two to 49.
“We are getting a lot of calls from people wondering when we are getting it. We are explaining that we are going through the priority risk groups. Once it is available for the general public we'll let them know and we'll hold clinics for that purpose,” says Tiffany Klassen who is the Health Director for Cass County.
The priority list includes health care providers and emergency workers. Klassen says after those vaccines are given the next batch goes to pediatrician’s offices.
For now only the vaccine mist is available. Metro health departments are still waiting for the shots.
“It is frustrating. We've actually had people when they call say when you are getting it. We say we don't know. And they say how don't you know,” says Klassen.
At the Jackson County Health Department the procedure is a little different. On Thursday afternoon workers sorted through 600 doses of the vaccine.
“The vaccine that arrived this morning is being distributed to physician’s offices that have registered to providers in the H1N1 vaccine program,” says Jackson County Health Director Jim Kelly.
The Federal Government is sending out the vaccines. Local health departments are waiting to find out when they will get more and how much.
The vaccines will eventually be available at pharmacies.
There is no cost for the vaccine. However, you may have to pay an administration fee.
Other places that have the swine flu mist vaccine include Independence and Platte County.
Kansas City and Clay County do not have the mist yet.
In Kansas, both Johnson and Wyandotte County are still waiting for the vaccine.
All are expecting shipments any day.
