Slow Response to Swine Flu Vaccine

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Natalie Kennedy had the bandage to prove she was one of dozens to get the free swine flu vaccine Monday at the St. Johns County Health Department.

"I have two daughters. One of [my daughters] is in her first year in preschool. So she's bringing home everything to my 4-month-old," Kennedy said.

As a parent of a child younger than 6-months-old, Kennedy falls into the Centers for Disease Control's priority group for the H1N1 vaccine.

With so many others in that same group, people at the St. Johns County Health Department were expecting more to come in for the vaccine.

"From what we've seen in the media and with people talking about it a lot, we thought there would be lines around the building and we just haven't seen that yet," said Noreen Nickola-Williams, the spokesperson for the St. Johns County Health Department.

The CDC's priority group includes caregivers (parents, siblings, and daycare providers) of infants younger than 6-months-old, healthcare providers and first responders, people 6-months-old to 24-years-old and people 25- to 64-years-old with medical risks.

Nickola-Williams said the St. Johns County Health Department has distributed about 16,000 vaccines, and there are more available.

"Saturday we vaccinated somewhere near 700 individuals," Nickola-Williams said. "We probably could've done 800-900. We're set up to do a lot more. We're just not seeing as many as we thought would come in."

As for Kennedy, she said holiday company is another reason she wanted the vaccination.

"I know it's not going to prevent the swine flu this week," Kennedy said, "but by the time we hit Christmas and the time we hit the flu season in Florida -- which is normally February -- that's when I'll have peace of mind."

The St. Johns County Health Department will be giving out free swine flu vaccines Monday night from 6 to 8 at its location on U.S. 1 in St. Augustine.

Vaccines also will be available there on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. It will not be open Thanksgiving Day or the day after.

©2010 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.