NEWPORT, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The H1N1 vaccine shots have arrived in east Tennessee.

At least 15 counties including Knox, have their first shipment and are waiting on more.

And one is administering shots to the public free right now.

Some really good news here especially since Purdue University researchers say the next few weeks are when most people will get H1N1.

High risk groups like pregnant women and children who are most susceptible to the serious strains of H1N1 can get in line first.

"I'm scared, you know, they're going to get sick so I think it's good for them to get it if they can," says Laura Suggs, a parent of two young children.

But Laura's youngest child Landon is below the age of two and hasn't been eligible for the mist that's been available.

"It's healthy people between two and 49. In the injectable it can be six months up until any age," says Mark Jones, Knox County Health Department's Director.

So Laura's taking advantage of the injectable vaccine at her local health department in Newport.

"In Cocke County, we have about 400 doses and we're going to be getting rid of almost all of that today," says Paula Campbell, Assistant Director of the state health department's east region.

The injectable form also comes as good news for pregnant woman and other risk groups who were didn't qualify to take the mist form of the vaccine.

"I have asthma so I wanted to make sure I got it because I was afraid if I got this I wouldn't get over it," says Patricia Purkey.

Knox County's health department received 18 hundred doses and has transferred most of theirs to pediatricians across the area where the need is the greatest.

"We got that out to the registered providers and provided them with the vaccine. We also have some of the vaccine here in the health department," says Jones.

The state health department's eastern region has fifteen counties and all but Hamblen County received at least some of the injectable vaccine.

"We expect to get vaccine each week and get more as the lots are approved by the CDC," says Campbell.

Those that got the shot are counting their blessings.

"I think it scares a lot of people hearing about something new and you never know so it's good to go ahead and get it if they can," says Suggs.

Knox County Health Director Mark Jones says they plan to have a mass clinic but right now they don't have enough of the vaccine to have one.

Meanwhile, Jones encourages mothers with small children to contact their pediatrician to see if they have the vaccine.