Montgomery County (web | news) , Md. - Members of Congress are asking Wednesday why there are fewer shots of the swine flu vaccine than expected.

Montgomery County health officials hosted a by-appointment-only H1N1 flu clinic Wednesday for pregnant women as part of the County's weekly vaccination series.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services offered a limited number of injectable H1N1 shots to the high priority demographic, but only to those who made appointments on Monday. 

This action comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said pregnant women should get the H1N1 vaccine as they are more likely to be hospitalized with the virus.

"The risk of dying from H1N1 influenza is way higher than the risk of having an adverse reaction to the vaccine," a health official said. The limited availability is frustrating expectant moms and health officials alike.

"Only 100 doses and I have over 100 pregnant patients who need them now and we're going to be calling them first to come in and get them," said Dr. Robert Footer, OBGYN. 

With 250 women scheduled to receive shots, the plan was to vaccinate 50 an hour. Expectant mother Karen Fournier said she prefers the new procedure over a long wait in line.

“I drove past the clinic that they had in Rockville and I really didn't want to wait in that line so I'm grateful that they decided to do this on an appointment basis,” said Fournier. 

A school district in Pennsylvania is also waiting for more vaccinations. It had to throw out 5,000 swine flu vaccinations. School officials said a refrigeration malfunction ruined the vaccinations meant for students. The vaccines got too cold at 30 to 31 degrees while they were supposed to be kept at 35 to 46 degrees.

"It's an embarrassing situation for us. Nobody meant for it to happen but it happened so now we are going to pick up the pieces," said Supt. Dr. John Toleno with the Stroudsburg Area School District.

Expectant mom Lindsay Lowe said she didn't want to take any chances, especially with a due date scheduled for next month.

“I'm a teacher as well, so everybody’s been telling me to get it as soon as I could,” said Lowe.

However, there are those who still plan to go without.

“I don't want to risk getting the swine flu shot and then catching the swine flu,” said Charmaine Leonard.

Health officials in Montgomery County said the next clinic is still in the works. In the meantime they said they will be monitoring the daily supply of vaccines.

A new ABC-Washington Post poll shows another high risk demographic are turning their backs H1N1 vaccinations. Results shows the majority of college-aged students, between 18-29 years-old, say they will not get vaccinated for the H1N1 virus.

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