Swine Flu Vaccine: Too Little, Too Late?

Oct. 22, 2009— -- Since outbreaks of the so-called swine flu first made headlines in April, Americans have nervously anticipated the virus' second coming in the fall, when traditional flu season begins. But while the first shipments of the vaccine for H1N1 are available, many people find themselves unable to get protection, even if they are in high-risk groups.

"My diabetes doctor does not have it, my private doctor does not have it," Maryland resident Kathy O'Grady, 38, said. "They tell me I need it and I can't get it."

Like other patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women are in danger of being left out initially because they can only receive the shot, not the nasal spray form delivered in many of the early shipments.

"That is frustrating because you know that was a missed opportunity and they made the effort and they came out and we wish we had the vaccine for them," said Dr. Ulder Tillman, a Montgomery County, Md., health officer.

O'Grady was among those turned away this week without a vaccine.

Susan Schwartz, a mother of two boys, Gary, 6 and Ryan, 3, had been waiting in line for four hours.

"I am still terrified that we are going to get to the front of the line and they are going to say, "So sorry, we just gave the last dose to the people in front of you,'" she said.

The problems are not limited to people like Schwartz in Rockville, Md., with doctors in states nationwide speaking of shortfalls in vaccine, many predicting that they will be forced to ration the supplies they have.

"It is a huge hassle because of all the extra communication required and work created by not having publicity and demand matched by supply," said Dr. Thomas Schwenk, chairman of family medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "We are having to make difficult decisions about who gets seasonal flu vaccine because of shortages and will have to do the same thing with H1N1."