October 22, 2009

The Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department has been planning health clinics across the area to try and quickly deliver H1N1 vaccinations to those who need it most, but some of those clinics are being delayed, as the health department waits for more vaccines.

Some parents are concerned that the number of vaccines available has seemingly been outpaced by the demand for the shot.

"It's a worry, especially with a baby in the house, I fear most for her and how it would impact her," said Charlottesville parent Allison Crayton.

"My older daughter is in an Albemarle County Public School. If they run out, it is a concern," said Meg Junucik, also a Charlottesville parent.

The health department says the process to make vaccines is a slow one and the companies that make it are under added pressure to make vaccines for the seasonal flu along with swine flu. However, officials say the most important thing is to make the vaccines safely, not quickly.

"It's not something that we want to rush. We want to make sure that we get an influenza vaccine that's prepared properly and safely so we do have to wait for that process to occur but once it's ready we want to make sure that we get it out there as quickly as we can," said Dr. Lilian Peake of the health department.

Officials say that any parents with questions about whether or not a vaccination clinic is out of stock should refer to the health department, their school system, or their daycare provider.