BOSTON -- Hundreds of health care workers gathered in Worcester for a summit on the H1N1 virus and how to protect children from the swine flu.

"We are expecting the first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine next week," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

The first shipment of vaccines will come in the form of the nasal spray form, and it will only go to the most vulnerable population.

"We are targeting the health care workers and healthy children, but even then there won't be enough for all healthy children," Patrick said.

But the governor said that within six to eight weeks everyone who wants it or needs the H1N1 vaccine should have access to it.

"Maybe we're overreacting, maybe we're not. I think it's better to be prepared and ready to go," Norwood School District head nurse Rosemary Riley said.

School nurses, paramedics and hospital leaders said that they were eager to learn the most current information.

"I'm hoping to learn creative new strategies that people may have thought of to deal with issues like vaccinating very many people," said Dr. Anita Barry of the Boston Public Health Commission.

"We're looking to understand what the impact of an H1N1 breakout could mean to our patients and what the impact could be for our facilities," said John Duggan of Fallon Clinic.

More than 800 hundred people from across the state packed the DCU Center for the flu summit.

The state's Public Health commissioner offered an important update on the H1N1 vaccine.

"We expect to start receiving small amounts of the vaccine within the next 10 days to two weeks," said John Auerbach of the Department of Public Health.

Officials said that there will be enough for anyone who wants the vaccine.

"The bad news is it's not here now, and quantities we receive will take some time to reach a level where it can be offered to all the people who want it," Auerbach said.

There have been about 20,000 suspected swine flu cases as of June and 11 deaths statewide. The median age of the sick is 14 years old. So far, officials said there have been no large clusters of cases.

While the vaccine is not being required, health officials are advising everyone who can to get the vaccine, even if you suspect you've already had flu symptoms.

"Regardless of whether you think you've had it, even if you've had a confirmed case, go ahead and get the H1N1 vaccine," Auerbach said.