Montgomery County still does not have enough swine flu vaccine to keep up with growing demand, county spokeswoman Mary Anderson said.
Some 1,000 doses of nasal vaccine will be available at each of three clinics being held today, but officials expect more than 1,000 residents to show up at each location.
To prevent people from waiting in long lines only to be turned away as happened at a vaccine clinic in the county last week Anderson said those who arrive today will be issued numbered tickets. After 1,000 tickets have been handed out, those still in line will be turned away.
At last week's clinic, 1,311 nasal spray vaccines were administered, and 249 injectable vaccines were given, Anderson said.
For now, no more injectable vaccine is available in Montgomery County, and Anderson said she is unsure when the next shipment will arrive.
The nasal spray, which contains a live, but weakened, form of the H1N1 virus, is approved for the vaccination of healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49. However, it is not approved for use in pregnant women or school-aged children with chronic diseases.
The injectable vaccine is less restrictive.
Officials do not track the number of reported swine flu, or H1N1, cases in Montgomery County. Statewide, there have been 10 deaths none of which were in Montgomery County.
Swine flu in Montgomery County is defined as "widespread" under categories provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a classification shared by 41 states.
As of Tuesday, county officials said they were not aware of any large gatherings or events that have been postponed or canceled as a result of the flu.
No further swine flu vaccine clinics have been scheduled in Montgomery County after today while officials wait for more vaccine, Anderson said.
The three clinics today in Rockville, Silver Spring and Germantown are targeted to those between ages 2 and 24, Anderson said, although others will not be turned away. Nationally, the spread of swine flu has been seen most within that age group, she said.
Officials have said that any Montgomery County resident who wants to receive the swine flu vaccination will be able to by December.
Swine flu vaccine clinics will be held today from 4 to 8 p.m. at these locations:
-Northwood High School, 919 University Blvd. W., Silver Spring
-Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville
-Northwest High School, 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown
For more information go to www.montgomery
countymd.gov/h1n1flu or call 240-777-4200 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.