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H1N1 vaccine hot commodity

More than 500 people lined up to get the H1N1 flu vaccine Saturday.  It's another local health department's effort to protect the public from the potentially deadly virus.  Those in the high risk category are health officials' number one priority.

           
"A little jet of water in your nose," said H1N1 Vaccinated Jacob Brom.

That's how 16 year old Jacob Brom described his H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.  He was just one of more than 500 people that stopped by Dowagaic Middle School to get vaccinated. H1N1 is a growing concern.

"I'm definitely thinking about it more now," said mother Laura Valentine.

That's why the vaccine is a hot commodity.  Health departments across the nation are being inundated with people trying to get the vaccine.  And emergency rooms are seeing up to a 500 percent increase in intake due to people thinking they have the virus.

"You usually don't know if they have H1N1 when they get there.  You look for signs, difficulty breathing, fever," said Edwardsburg EMT Paul Harris.

Edwardsburg EMT Paul Harris is on the front lines of fighting the virus and helping people who are worried about contracting it.

"I haven't seen a whole lot of panic. People are concerned but there's not panic in the streets," said Harris.

Most people only waited for about an hour; filling out paperwork, waiting in line, and then getting either the nasal spray or the injection.

"I want my children to be protected.  I know this is the best way to do that," said Valentine.

Both of Cassopolis's Laura Valentine kids are in the high risk category.  School children are more likely to get the vaccine, transmit it, and possibly die from it.

"There's been a couple of cases in my school, but they're all fine now," said Brom.

There have been some concerns over the quick production of the vaccine that has deterred some people from getting vaccinated. But most health officials recommend the vaccine.

Again, most clinics are only serving patients that are in the high risk category.  That would include pregnant women, those between six months and 24 years old, health care officials, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Reporter: Nadia Crow