WILDER, Ky. - First responders in Northern Kentucky will have a chance to receive the H1N1 swine flu vaccine on Tuesday afternoon from the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
The vaccinations are only for first responders and not open to the public.
Paramedic Edward Harber is just one of dozens of first responders who waited in line on Tuesday to receive the swine flu vaccine at the Wilder city building.
"First responders need to go first because If we are not healthy and able to work, then when people with the swine flu get complications we are not able to respond," said Edward Harber, Paramedic.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department says they've also distributed a small amount of the vaccine to private providers. They in turn have been giving it to those folks who fall in the high risk category including children and pregnant women.
"I know there is a lot of anxiety out there about when can I get my shot, when is it going to be offered in our area. Everybody is waiting until we can get the vaccine so we can do it in a much greater amount. Right now unfortunately the best thing we can do is show some patience and realize there is a clientele we need to address," said Steve Divine, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Northern Kentucky Health Department.
The Health Department finds out one in week in advance when they get in their next supply and how much.
They are now at the mercy of the federal government.
"However much the feds release to the states is what is going to determine what we get locally, said Divine. "We don't have a stockpile anywhere. As soon as get it, we push it back out."
The Northern Kentucky Health Department is planning on doing mass vaccinations when they receive a large enough volume.
