NORFOLK - Workers at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters are now getting the H1N1 vaccine.
They lined up Thursday to get the nasal mist version.
"We wouldn't insist our employees take it if we had any concerns at all that it wasn't a safe vaccine," said Executive Medical Director Dr. Arno Zartisky.
Health care officials stress the first supplies are being given to health care workers who have contact with patients.
Va. Dept. of Health spokesman Larry Hill said this week that Virginia was expecting 83,700 doses of the nasal mist for health care workers.
The shot form of the H1N1 vaccine should be available to the general public by late October and officials recommend you check with your doctor about his supply.
For first time, all 3,000 CHKD employees and volunteers were also required to get the seasonal flu shot.
Dr. Zartisky says it's important for everyone to get the protection when it's available. It's strongly recomended for children, young adults and pregnant women.
"I have absolutely no concerns. I emphasize to parents the importance of getting the vaccination. This particular virus is different from the regular seasonal flu virus is because it does affect children disproportionatly.? Iust in the last week, 11 children have died from the swine flu," he stated.
An Associated Press poll, however, shows only 52 percent of Americans say they're likely to line up for it.
It also shows that nearly six in 10 parents say they're ikely to give permission for their children to get swine flu vaccine at school, just 37 percent said they're very likely to.
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