By now, waiting in line to get your swine flu vaccine is expected. What's not is how many people are showing
up to clinics that aren't even in their own city.
Zenobia Byrd is one of these people. Her two daughters attend schools in Newport News.
When the health department there postponed their clinic from offering the vaccine, she decided to take them to Hampton.
"We have so many kids that are out the past couple of weeks. and I just don't want to risk it with mine," said Byrd.
Like most health departments in Virginia, Hampton is offering the swine flu vaccine to just about anybody that walks through their doors.
Dr. William Berg is the Director of the Hampton Health District. He says their main goal is to target those who fall in the high risk category.
According to Dr. Berg, "basically, if you show up and you want the vaccine, we're going to assume that you need to get it." That includes anyone under 18, adults who have medical complications, or pregnant women.
Dr. Berg added, "you don't have to be a resident of Hampton to be vaccinated. Here, you don't even need to be a Virginian. We'll vaccinate anyone."
But, Dr. Berg says once they're here, they don't turn anyone away. The issue becomes figuring out how many vaccines should be given during each clinic.
"It's the old balancing act. Do we use it all today, and cancel clinics? Or do we try to save some for the other clinics?"
This problem, health officials say, will be solved once the delay on the production of vaccines is lifted and the shipments start flowing in.
But, until then, parents like Zenobia say they have to do what they can to protect their children. Even if it means driving to another city to get their swine flu vaccine.
Zenobia Byrd is one of these people. Her two daughters attend schools in Newport News.
When the health department there postponed their clinic from offering the vaccine, she decided to take them to Hampton.
"We have so many kids that are out the past couple of weeks. and I just don't want to risk it with mine," said Byrd.
Like most health departments in Virginia, Hampton is offering the swine flu vaccine to just about anybody that walks through their doors.
Dr. William Berg is the Director of the Hampton Health District. He says their main goal is to target those who fall in the high risk category.
According to Dr. Berg, "basically, if you show up and you want the vaccine, we're going to assume that you need to get it." That includes anyone under 18, adults who have medical complications, or pregnant women.
Dr. Berg added, "you don't have to be a resident of Hampton to be vaccinated. Here, you don't even need to be a Virginian. We'll vaccinate anyone."
But, Dr. Berg says once they're here, they don't turn anyone away. The issue becomes figuring out how many vaccines should be given during each clinic.
"It's the old balancing act. Do we use it all today, and cancel clinics? Or do we try to save some for the other clinics?"
This problem, health officials say, will be solved once the delay on the production of vaccines is lifted and the shipments start flowing in.
But, until then, parents like Zenobia say they have to do what they can to protect their children. Even if it means driving to another city to get their swine flu vaccine.
