KENNEWICK, WA -- Another batch of the H1N1 flu vaccine arrived at the Benton-Franklin Health Department Tuesday, and the scramble to get it to providers began in earnst. The shipment was decent size too with more than 12,000 doses. And workers were excited. One person said "it feels like Christmas."

"It's not as much as we had ordered, but right now there is a little slow down," Dr. Larry Jecha said, a Benton-Franklin Health District officer.

It may not be what he doctor ordered, but it's still a boost for what's been rough going on the swine flu front. With a national lag in deliveries, shipments have been haphazard.

"There are many complications," Jecha said.

Complications, like what form of the vaccine - the mist or shot - and when. The health department will organize and then ship out these doses to priority groups in the community including pediatricians, OB-GYNs and family doctors. But, for the first time, these boxes finally came with thimerosal shots. They're in high demand for expectant moms. And they're long overdue.

"That's the problem," Jecha said. "The priorities that we have don't meet the type of vaccine we're getting, so that complicates it even further."

That's just the first of the problems. The H1N1 virus struck an already cash-strapped department. Budget cuts earlier this year forced several layoffs.

"It affects morale and everything because you're expected to do more with less and we've reached our point where we really can't," Jecha said.

Some services have changed as a result. The building isn't open for noon hours anymore and more people have to wait out phone calls longer.

The health department has been able to hire a few extra hands with federal money meant specifically for the swine flu. But it's only temporarily.

"Will cuts here will affect when people at home will get shots?" Action News asked Dr. Jecha. "No, that has no effect. We've been able to get it to providers, that's been a priority."

So far, the health department has given out 12,350 doses. That might seem like a lot but health officials said it's still under two percent of the amount they want to be available for the general population.

It's anyone's guess what will happen with the seasonal flu flares up too. But if their fast and furious pace is any indication, people at home should be just fine.

The health department hopes to be able to give out vaccines in-house by as soon as next week. Again, those are for priority groups first including EMTs. Vaccines for everyone else should come by mid-November.