The swine flu vaccine is now available to the general public and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials encourage those seeking H1N1 vaccine to obtain it from their primary care physician. Individual doses are also available from public facilities throughout the county. “The vaccine is being distributed based upon availability,” said county HHSA spokesman Jose Alvarez. “The vaccine is free at any of our public health facilities. (The doses) are primarily for those who do not have a primary care physician.” To date,the San Diego County HHSA has received about 985,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine in various forms including nasal spray and injections, Alvarez said. Despite a recall in past months of some lower potency vaccine, Alvarez said, the county HSSA has enough vaccine to go around and is expecting more shipments in the following months. Those seeking the vaccine can go to one of seven public health facilities in the county. Public facilities nearest downtown or the beach-area communities include the VIP Immunizations Clinic, 3177A Ocean View Blvd.; and the Public Health Center North Central, 5055 Ruffin Road. A full list of facilities and clinics giving the vaccine throughout the county can be found at www.sdcounty.ca.gov. Though county facilities reportedly have enough vaccine for all, at least one private facility, Scripps Mercy Hospital, 4077 Fifth Ave, only have enough for some. “We are giving vaccine out to patients through the clinics and the primary care physicians offices,” said Kristin Reinhardt, a Scripps spokeswoman. “Any Scripps employee who wanted a vaccine could get it, or get it today if they needed.” As of the tail end of 2009, the county HHSA reported approximately 778 cases of hospitalized people with the potentially deadly flu which, according to the Center for Disease Control, has reached “pandemic” status. The numbers continue to change daily. Information about the flu is available by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting the immunization branch page at www.sdiz.org. The Center for Disease Control website offers advice on prevention including age-old common sense like washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated against other strains of flu.