H1N1 vaccines head to doctors' offices

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The first batch of the H1N1 flu vaccines have arrived in the Ocean State.

The initial shipment of the vaccine arrived on Tuesday afternoon at an undisclosed location. The shipment accounts for roughly two percent of the total number of vaccines the state will receive.

The vaccines will be distributed to about 200 pediatricians throughout Rhode Island. Children will be the first to receive the vaccine but officials want parents to know that it may take a few days to distribute the vaccines, and it will take time for each pediatrician's office to figure out how to distribute what they've got.

"Please wait for the pediatrician's office to call you. We want to make sure that anyone who has a sick child can still get through to the office to schedule those sick visits," said Annemarie Beardsworth of the Department of Health.

The Department of Health said they received 12,000 doses on Tuesday. Dr. Richard Grecco tells Eyewitness News he doesn't know exactly how much his office will be receiving.

"I'm sure every pediatrician in the state is trying out logistically how to do things," he said.

That includes how to distribute and who to distribute the first vaccines to. In many cases families with children of various ages won't be able to vaccinate every child right away. The first doses will only be available for those ages 6 months to five years.

Dr. Grecco said, "There are children in that subset who are more at risk than others. A parent may have to prioritize on what's available."

According to two new studies, severe illness is most common in relatively healthy adults and adolescents. So most health care providers agree that once the H1N1 vaccine is more readily available in Rhode Island.

"I can't see any reason people should opt not to get it," said Dr. Grecco.

For kids over five, the state will be releasing some of the shipment to schools.

Parents are urged to keep watching and vesting The Department of Health's website to find out who is receiving the first doses and exactly when they will be ready to be given out.

Rhode Island is expected to receive 600,000 doses of the vaccine.

Click here for a complete list of the flu clinics across Rhode Island.