H1N1 vaccines in high demand at clinics

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The supply of the H1N1 vaccine in Travis County is growing, but health care facilities have nowhere near the number of doses requested.

High-priority patients are flocking to Austin-Travis County Health clinics to get the H1N1 flu vaccine. By Friday, they had received 3,000 doses in the mail out of the 25,000 health officials ordered. About 400 high-risk patients have been vaccinated, including Beth Reyburn.

The expecting mother is 24-weeks along and figured she would have to postpone the shot when she called the St. Johns Community Center health clinic which has been booked solid. One nurse is fully-devoted to giving the H1N1 shot all day.

"I called and after 40 minutes on hold I got an appointment today because there had been a cancellation," said Reyburn.

She normally steers clear of vaccines, but did not want to put her unborn baby boy's health in jeopardy.

"We're just kind of on a watch and wait scenario right now - so as soon as it's available we have places to store it," said Austin-Travis County Health Educator Coleen Christian. "We have the staff ready to begin mass clinics."

Before Reyburn arrived for her 11 a.m. appointment, LVN Rimo Castillo had already given the vaccine to 20 children and adults Friday morning.

The Austin-Travis County Health Department is currently offering the vaccine to the following high-risk patients:

• 6 months to 24 years old
• caregivers
• 24 to 64 yr. olds w/ chronic illness
• pregnant women

They have ordered 25,000 doses and will host free mass immunization clinics when they receive a hefty supply. More shipments of the H1N1 vaccine are expected to arrive by the late November or early December.

The vaccine is trickling into local private practice providers and local hospitals as well.

The Austin Regional Clinic has received 3,000 doses which were mostly the FluMist nasal spray. All 300 of the injectible doses that arrived have been given to pregnant patients.

CVS Pharmacy and People's Pharmacy stores in Austin both said they are sticking to seasonal flu shots, and did not order any of the H1N1 vaccine. An HEB spokesperson said they are expecting doses, but have not yet received any. The vaccine is free.

For more information on the H1N1 virus click here .