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GREENSBORO — Guilford County’s public health department has received more than 2,000  doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, officials said Tuesday.

The doses are all in the form of the inhaled nasal spray, the department said in an e-mailed news update.

The spray is appropriate for most children from age 2 to 18. For them, the spray is more effective than a shot, according to the department. The sprays are being distributed to private medical providers that serve children and younger adults.

Nationally, about 2.2 million  doses of the swine flu vaccine have been made available, with more to come.

Arm injections are expected to begin next week, national health officials said.

The nasal spray isn’t recommended for those in danger of complications from the flu, including pregnant women and people with asthma.

The vaccine first became available Monday. So far, demand is outstripping supply, said Dr. Tom Frieden , director of the Centers for Disease Control.

Flu cases have dropped off since hitting a peak early in the summer. The fear is that the flu could make a swift and strong resurgence, however, and health officials have been concerned that the arrival of the traditional fall and winter flu season could bring high numbers of cases.

In recent weeks, the goal has been to get the swine flu vaccine out to the public before the flu season begins in earnest.

More information about the availability and distribution of the flu vaccine is expected in the coming days. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com