by ABC-7 Reporter Marissa Monroy
EL PASO, Texas -- Other than health care providers, there is no group more exposed to the H1N1 virus than educators, which is why some El Paso ISD teachers were outraged when the district decided to give out a limited supply of vaccines while many of them were still in class.
On Tuesday, El Paso ISD became the first district in the Borderland to offer H1N1 vaccines to its employees, but it's when they distributed the vaccines that has some teachers upset.
"There are so many kids coming down with the illness, we're afraid!" said one teacher who did not want to be identified.
With more confirmed H1N1 deaths every week, including two in El Paso County announced on Wednesday, it is no wonder teachers are on high alert.
Much to the dismay of teachers, distribution of the vaccine began at noon.
"How are we supposed to get over there at 12? What are we supposed to tell the kids, 'Oh, go do whatever you want while I get my swine flu vaccine?' I mean, there's just no way I couldn't have gotten over there at 12," said the teacher.
Teachers say questionable hours and short notice made it next to impossible for them to even have a fair shot at the limited number of vaccines.
"The e-mail wasn't even 24 hours prior to noon."
But district officials said the day and hours were set in stone by an outside health provider.
"They called us and said, 'We have 1,000 vaccines. We can only do the clinic tomorrow. Do you want 'em or not?'" said El Paso ISD spokeswoman Berenice Zubia.
Officials said they didn't act when they did, the district would have lost out completely on the vaccines.
But for a group who is constantly interacting with students, some say that explanation just isn't enough.
"If they were truly, truly concerned about the teachers getting this for our high risk population, then it should have been offered after 4:00 when we could have attended."
District officials said they ran out of the vaccines on Tuesday but added they are planning to hold more clinics. They said they will also bring these issues to the attention of ProAction, the provider who issued the vaccines.
