The first doses of the swine flu nasal spray vaccine were distributed Tuesday at Montefiore Medical Center.

The Bronx hospital received about 68,000 doses of the vaccine. Dr. Thomas Farley, the New York City health commissioner, says New York City will get 1.2 million doses total in October.

Patients should go to their primary doctors first for the free vaccine before resorting to clinics, pharmacies and emergency rooms. Doctors say pregnant women and patients with chronic illness must wait for the H1N1 vaccine shot, which will be available next week.

Children will also be able to get vaccinated for free at school with parental consent.