SNOW HILL, Md.- The Worcester County Health Department says few school children have turned in permission forms allowing them to be vaccinated against H1N1.

Health officials say only 20 percent of the students at Pocomoke High School returned permission forms from parents or guardians allowing them to receive the vaccine Thursday. The health department had been expecting at least 40 percent to get vaccinated.

The health department says Pocomoke High was the first public school in the county to get the vaccines. Snow Hill High School and Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin are slated for the vaccinations next week. Other schools will follow in the next several weeks.

Health officials say they suspect many of the forms sent home with students were not given to parents. 

Some parents still have concerns about the vaccine, but the health department says it is safe.

"It's normal people would have concerns," said Marty Pusey, prevention director for the health department. "We have been out in the community putting out a lot of information, providing presentations in the community trying to help the community to understand what this is all about and why they should consider getting vaccinated."