Alaska health officials say the first doses of swine flu vaccine have been ordered but may not reach state health centers until the week of Oct. 12.

Just 4,200 doses of nasal spray vaccine will be in the first shipment.

Department of Health and Social Services spokesman Greg Wilkinson says the vaccine will arrive at a central distribution center in Anchorage and be repackaged for shipment based on population.

The first doses will be available at 23 state health centers and recommended for children age 2-4.

Wilkinson likened vaccine distribution to opening a faucet and the initial doses to "the first couple of drops."

Wilkinson says decisions on distribution will be made on a community-by-community basis.