Nearly 8,000 H1N1 vaccine doses arrive

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With the morning mail, came 7,600 doses of the H1N1 vaccine at the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department.

Health officials say it is enough to start holding free mass clinics at various locations around the city in December.

"This is a nice surprise," said Coleen Christian, Health Educator for the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department.

It is the largest shipment the department has received. Until now, they have been working with 3,500 doses between three busy public clinics. Christian said appointments fill up fast. Nurses have been administering about 500 shots and nasal sprays to patients each week.

With the new shipment, clinics have added personnel to see more patients. Appointments are now being double-booked at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Clinic in East Austin where the Gomez family got in Thursday afternoon.

"Kimberly, cuantos anos tienes?" asked Naomi Rodriguez to a shy 6-year-old holding onto her mother outside the exam room.

Rodriguez is the patient representative who ensures everyone receiving the vaccine is a member of the high-risk population for having complication with the H1N1 disease. For now, the clinics are only providing vaccinations to kids, young adults, caregivers, pregnant women and those with chronic illness.

"Breathe, just breathe," said nurse Vanessa Romain, trying to calm down Kimberly who was crying seconds before the shot.

Her big sister, Karla, 8, held her hand tightly after braving the needle, too.

Now that the refrigerators are filled with the vaccine, Christian said it is enough to hold free mass clinics for the high-risk population.

"The infections are still going on, kids are still getting sick, adults are still getting sick," said Christian.

Many doctors are still waiting for their first round of doses to arrive, which is leaving patients in limbo. Texas MedClinic in South Austin just received their first shipment of the vaccine and started offering it to patients Wednesday.

"We are certainly at the mercy of the manufacturer," said Joseph Elizondo with Texas MedClinic.

They are charging an administrative fee of $19 which is common among private health care providers. With a limited supply they faced the dilemma of waiting for more doses, or go ahead and give what they received.

Health officials at the University of Texas are losing patience. They are still waiting on the doses they requested to immunize students and health care personnel.

"It's very frustrating," said Jamie Shutter, Associate Director for the University of Texas Health Services. "It is in the best interest of the community if we could get the vaccine before classes end in December."

Shutter said they have contacted the Texas Department of State Health Services, but have not received an explanation, even after a staff member died from the disease at the end of September.

Back at the public health clinic 6-year old Eric Llamas sat patiently outside the exam room hoping the needle was not long.

"Sometimes I'm not scared when they're little," said Eric using his fingers to demonstrate a non-frightening length.

It turned out to be his lucky day when the nursed pulled out the H1N1 nasal spray instead.