For many local families, like the Hotalings, Swine Flu season has been a waiting game as they looked for vaccines they just couldn't find.
"We called a couple times to our provider, trying to find it and they would tell us that we don't know, we get a few here or there. We had been waiting for about 6 weeks now," said Charles Hotaling, a father from Latham.
Today, the wait ended, their 2-year-old and 4-year-old were vaccinated at the big Albany County H1N1 Clinic at the TU Center.
"We want to make sure those who would be highest compromised can get that vaccine now," said Albany County Executive Michael Breslin.
That group included young children, pregnant women, people who care for infants, health care professionals, and older kids with medical conditions.
"We are in a pandemic, this is a novel flu strain meaning that we've never seen this type of virus, so there's no immunity to it," said Maribeth Miller, Assistant Commissioner of Health with the Albany County Health Department.
The County used about 2,900 of it's 4,500 vaccines today. The lower than expected numbers were seen as a good thing, indicating that some people were actually getting the vaccine through their doctor. Parents said that even if they were hesitant, they were glad the option was there.
"We try to protect her, can only do the best we can," said Brian Fitzgerald, a father from Ravena.
"We were scared about it, but at the same time, I think the alternative-them getting it, is more risky," said Hotaling.
The extra vaccines will be pushed out to local doctors this week. If you still can't get one that way, the Health Department said it will be holding similar clinics in the coming weeks.
