By the time a city immunization initiative concludes tomorrow, O'ahu's first responders — a crew of 1,200 firefighters and paramedics — will have had the chance to receive the swine flu vaccine.

Linda Rosen, state Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention system branch chief, said she hopes to give out more than 1,000 nasal doses in all during the three-day effort that began yesterday. Hawai'i has been allocated 14,400 doses of the new vaccine for its first shipment, which arrived last week. The allocation is based on the state's population.

First to receive the vaccine are the first responders.

"We're targeting the first responders, those who respond to 911 (emergencies) and transfer ill patients between hospitals," Rosen said yesterday at the Waikiki fire station, one of five locations dispensing the vaccine. "It's quite an undertaking."

The vaccine is delivered via syringe, with a small amount of the liquid vaccine squirted in each nostril, she said.

Ryan Lager, a firefighter recruit, was among those at the Waikiki fire station to get the vaccine. A doctor spoke to the recruits in training about the importance of getting the vaccine, he said.

"It is a small amount and is intended to build up our resistance," said Lager, 28. "They told us we might feel a little low while our body is developing an immunity. It's worth the risk."

Nasal spray doses for emergency responders are also being delivered at The Queen's Medical Center, Castle Medical Center, Hawai'i Medical Center West and the Mililani Mauka fire station.

"It's all voluntary," said Honolulu Fire Department Chief Ken Silva. "I'm encouraging everyone to take it. If we're prepared as a community, then we're a lot safer."

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said delivery of the injectable vaccine should begin in mid-October, and an estimated 10 million to 20 million doses of both forms of the vaccine will be available for distribution nationwide each week after that.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann came by the Waikiki station yesterday to offer his support to the firefighters, who arrived in crews from various stations. He said he wanted to tell the firefighters that he was proud of them for stepping up and taking the swine flu vaccine.

"This is very important in launching the H1N1 vaccine," Hannemann said. "Our family of first responders are sending a message that it's important to be vaccinated. Now they'll be able to perform their responsibility and be protected from the threat of the H1N1 virus."

Firefighter Duke Robins dabbed at his runny nose after getting the vaccine.

"It was similar to taking a nasal allergy spray," he said.