The first doses of the swine flu vaccine reached health care providers across the state yesterday, as the Pennsylvania Department of Health began to distribute about 90,000 doses to pharmacies, hospitals, primary health care providers and schools.

The initial shipment of the H1N1 influenza vaccine is intended to be used on healthy children between 5 and 9 years of age.

State health department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman said that the state expects to receive and distribute at least 2.5 million doses by the end of the month.

The Allegheny County Health Department did not receive any doses of the vaccine yesterday, but it expects to receive some soon, said spokesman Guillermo Cole.

Mr. Cole advised those seeking the vaccine to contact their health care provider or their child's school. People who are uninsured and cannot afford to pay the administrative fee some providers may charge for the vaccine should contact the county health department at 412-687-2243.

"Those folks should come to us if they are unable to get it elsewhere," said Mr. Cole. The county health department will offer the vaccine free of charge.

The vaccine is intended to protect the recipient from the H1N1 virus, widely called swine flu. It comes in the form of a nasal spray, and is recommended for healthy persons between the ages of 2 and 49, but not for pregnant women or those with underlying health conditions.

Ms. Kriedeman said she did not have specific information about the counties and providers in southwestern Pennsylvania that will be receiving the vaccine.

Like Mr. Cole, she said that those seeking the vaccine should first contact their family doctor or their child's school. If they are unable to get the vaccine through either source, they can call the state health department at 877-PA-HEALTH for more information.

Pittsburgh Public Schools and county Health Department officials will meet today to discuss H1N1 vaccinations. Lisa Fischetti, district chief of staff, said the department hasn't yet asked the district for any specific help.

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