Parents wait in long lines for vaccine

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Parents lined up on Saturday, hoping to keep their kids safe from the H1N1 virus.

It's a line at parents don't mind standing in Saturday at Century Airport Pediatrics in Cheektowaga.

David Bagne explained, "I've got a three and a five year old and I don't want to see them getting sick. If it gets to a point of danger, it's worthwhile to wait in line for a vaccine."

"This is my first time seeing a line this long for a flu shot and I am shocked," said another parent, Michael Nguyen.

The parents know the vaccine has been in short supply.

The New York State Health Department says one in six orders for the H1N1 vaccine is being filled.

Craig Urich exclaimed, "I feel like we're kind of playing the odds here. We've heard about the vaccine and of course, the kids not doing so well with the disease. So we're playing the odds with the vaccine."

A Suburban Pediatrics recording stated, "Due to circumstances beyond our control we are unable to hold the flu clinics as previously posted."

At Suburban Pediatrics in Clarence, parents apparently have not been patient.

Swine flu clinics have been cancelled through November 21st because managers say staff members have been threatened by parents desperate for the vaccine.

Back at Century Airport Pediatrics in Cheektowaga, Bonnie Whalley and other parents now have peace of mind.

"It means they won't get sick, I won't get sick. Hopefully we can prevent a lot of other people from getting sick too," she said.

Cathy Zielke expressed, "Just always worried that they're going to get sick and what could happen if they get sick".