Pediatrician: Vaccine Demand 'Huge'

FOLSOM, Calif. - KCRA.com

Whether it's an appointment for a sick child or checkup for one who is well, pediatrician Dr. Richard Gould can bank on one question from parents.

"The demand is huge. There's been an enormous amount of people trying to set up appointments for H1N1 when in fact, we don't even have it yet to set up," Gould said.

The manufacturer ships the vaccine to state public health departments. The vaccine is then turned over to county health departments for distribution.

Health care providers say distribution has been delayed and uneven.

The medical office where Gould works hasn't received any of the 20,000 doses it ordered.

"We're encouraging people to get it where they can," Gould said.

Urgent Care Center of Folsom got 200 doses of the vaccine this week, but it's not enough.

"It's just getting bigger and bigger, more and more people are wanting it," Urgent Care worker Corie Frey said.

People started lining up at a Solano County public health clinic in Dixon, two hours early -- some were scared by the recent death of a first-grade Vacaville student from complications of H1N1.

Jennifer Kostal brought her children, because her doctor doesn't have the vaccine.

But even the public health distribution is challenging.

"We hear that we're going to receive a vaccine shipment when we get it, we get no advance warning," Ron Chapman from Solano County Public Health said.

Health care officials expect more vaccine will be available later this year. And since the H1N1 virus isn't seasonal, it could be around through next spring.

"I think you can safely wait to get it, but I don't think people should panic in trying to get it," Gould said.

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