FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, WeatherLong lines for Swine flu vaccine in SWFL

Long lines for Swine flu vaccine in SWFL

Since there is a limited amount of the H-1-N-1 vaccines, only certain people are allowed to get it.

Plenty of people who fit the criteria showed up for the first vaccine clinic in Lee County.

A long line of people:  All anxious to get the swine flu vaccine.

Jennifer Ariola - "I actually have two babies in there and I just want to make sure I protect them."

Only certain groups of people can get first dibs on the doses:

1. Pregnant women
2. People ages six months to 24-years old
3. Those who live with or care for kids younger than six months
4. Health care workers
5. People ages 25 to 64 who have a health condition that's associated with a higher risk of flu complications.

Ariola is about to be a first time mother. "Also, I work in a high school so I'm exposed to young adults every day and I actually have a couple students who have already gotten it so I'm extra worried."

David Lackenby works in the health care industry .. So both he and his 14-month-old daughter qualify for the first round of vaccines. "My priority's the baby. If they give it to me, that's good...but I'm more worried about her."

But some parents may not realize that kids under the age of 10 need two doses of the vaccine.

"At this point in the planning process, we don't know if we're going to be offering those at the Lee County Health Department or if we're going to do clinics that are specifically for that."

The doses have to be given twenty-one to twenty-eight days apart.

Kids we spoke with don't seem to mind.

"I heard that it's just a squirt up the nose."

Lee County will have more vaccine clinics on Monday.  But remember:  the vaccines are only for people in those high priority groups.

Collier County will have its first clinic for high priority groups next week.

So far, Charlotte County is only giving vaccines to students at schools.

Marisa Mendelson
Fox 4 In Your Corner