Hundreds Line Up For Flu Vaccine In Hamilton County

Angie Moore is a wife and mother of two. She watches as the nurse injects her son with the H1N1 mist. But it's her son, who's at home today, that makes this an important visit.

"We have a child with asthma and it was recommended that we get the swine flu vaccine to prevent him from getting it," she says.

And with a quick spritz to the nose, and a shot to the arm, the flu may be stopped. Today 500 people tested out the first batch of the H1N1 nasal flu mist.

Many people say local school closings due to illness is what caused them to come in.

"With my son being sick, it's created a scare. He has actually been homeschooled for the last six weeks due to the scare of swine flu," says Moore.

But what worries the people we talked to the most are the possible the side effects. Health Department officials the swine flu vaccine can cause fatigue, aches, fever but overall the symptoms are mild.

"People have been coming with three or four to a family and we've been able to accomodate everyone today," says Deb Sardin with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

And there's no need to cry because while the vaccine is limited, to families with children, pregnant woman and people younger than 24, there is more spray on the way. 1,500 more doses of the swine flu nasal vaccine are coming in next week.

But for the Moore family, waiting until today has already been too long.

"I wish it would have been a little quicker he wouldn't have had to miss this much school.  I definitely feel more at ease and we are going to keep my younger son from getting it and as soon as the shot comes in he'll be able to get the shot," says Moore.

If you missed the vaccine,you can call to make an appointments for the next batch coming in.
That number is 209-8393.