WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Mecklenburg Co. administering H1N1 vaccine despite short supply

Mecklenburg Co. administering H1N1 vaccine despite short supply

by David Whisenant - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The H1N1 vaccine was made available Thursday in Mecklenburg County, but only a handful of people are getting protection from the pandemic.

Mecklenburg County has just 2,400 doses of the vaccine to pass out, but with more than 900,000 people living in Mecklenburg County, that's enough vaccine for just over two-tenths of a percent of the population, or one in every 375 people.

The vaccines were given by appointment at the Mecklenburg County Health Department to priority groups, such as expectant mothers, very young children, and those who live and work with young children.

Anne Farmer and her husband Buck got the vaccines, and she described the process for WBTV.

"We had an appointment," said Farmer.  "We went in, the give you a form to fill out, they sit you at a table, you fill it out quickly, they give you a number on a ticket, you take a seat, they call you right back within five minutes, they give you your shot and it was wonderful."

Through late Thursday afternoon, more than 2,600 doses had been given out. 

More doses are expected to be delivered in the coming days.