Health care workers across the country, including Buchanan County, received the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine earlier this week. A Defense Department Health Affairs official reportedly said the vaccine will be mandatory for uniformed personnel. Deploying troops, health care workers and individuals serving on ships and submarines are at the top of the list. Folks locally, however, say they haven't been told of the mandate yet, but they're taking preventative measures.

Levi Schultz, the Public Health Technician at the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, is in charge of giving shots to the air guards service members.

He says the Air Guard has not received the h1-n1 vaccine and has not been told that it's mandatory, but believes it will be. Mr. Schultz says the Air Guard isn't sure how they're going to get the H1N1 vaccine. Both the Army and Air Guard are emphasizing washing hands, washing hands and washing hands. Mr. Schultz sticks airmen with about 5,000 vaccine doses for a variety of aliments.