Two Capital Region residents who tested positive for H1N1 (or swine) flu have died.
An Albany County adolescent suffering from a long-standing illness passed away during the last week of October according to county officials.
Glens Falls Hospital officials say an adult who was battling pneumonia died on October 31st.
Both patients tested positive for the H1N1 influenza strain.
Even though the regular seasonal flu strain kills thousands of Americans every year, the new swine flu-related deaths have some parents worried.
Mercy DelMontes of Albany tells us she already has plans for her son, Jason, as he turns two on November 6th.
"He's actually getting his flu shot on Friday on his birthday," DelMontes tells us.
That vaccination will guard Jason against seasonal influenza but DelMontes says she's going to get her son vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as she can.
DelMontes, who is also a nursing assistant at Albany Medical Center, says she wants to get vaccinated against swine flu too.
Several parents told us they're more eager to get their children vaccinated against H1N1 after hearing the news that two Capital Region residents who tested positive for the illness have died.
"It's kind of scary," says Marcus Paige, of Albany.
Paige tells us his four-year-old step-daughter is going to get the new vaccination.
Doctors say swine flu is no more deadly than the regular seasonal flu strain but the H1N1 strain is more contagious because many young patients haven't built up an immunity to it.
The government is having trouble keeping up with the demand for swine flu vaccinations.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines tells us, "We're moving vaccine out to providers just as quickly as we get it available and dealing with the vaccine shortage problems is one of our major problems."
Some parents say they're leery of the new vaccine and they wouldn't let their children get the vaccination.
"It's something new," says Jennifer Davis of Albany. "It hasn't been out very long. No, I wouldn't give it to them."
Glens Falls Hospital - where the Warren County patient died - has already revised its visitation policy because of the H1N1 pandemic.
The hospital is not allowing children younger than 18 from visiting patients unless there are extenuating circumstances.
