County adds operators to take flu calls

County officials are more than doubling the number of phone operators handling H1N1 calls, even though no more appointments for the vaccine are available.

The county Health Department had set up a number to handle inquiries about getting the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine. But many callers were unable to get through and the appointments were soon filled.

Now, the number of operators has gone from nine to 30, officials announced yesterday. The action is expected to increase the likelihood that callers can speak to someone to set up appointments when more vaccine dosages become available.

But Maryland health officials say the...