SAN DIEGO -- New shipments of the swine flu vaccine have begun arriving in San Diego, but 10News learned county residents will not have access to it unless they are incarcerated.

10News confirmed the Metropolitan Correctional Center, a federal detention center, has just received a small shipment of 20 doses that are intended for pregnant inmates and health care workers. 10News also learned more vaccine is headed to San Diego County jails -- 400 doses scheduled to arrive in the next two weeks.

Dr. Earl Goldstein, medical director for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, said when the vaccine arrives it will be given out to pregnant inmates and inmates with serious underlying conditions such as HIV.

"We'll look at those patients one-by-one and decide who needs the vaccine. I will make the final call on a case-by-case basis," said Goldstein.

"There are pregnant women and children looking for those shots, yet inmates are getting the vaccine. Does that seem right to you?" asked 10News' Michael Chen.

"First of all, it protects them. The spread of illness is reduced in jail, and many of these people are released to the streets. So, it protects people in the public," replied Goldstein.

Goldstein pointed to two recent outbreaks in county jails, including one in July that sickened 110 inmates. He said it showed why high-risk inmates, in confined areas, are vulnerable.

University Heights resident Tawra Preston is six-months pregnant. She said her doctor has been unable to track down a vaccine for her, and she said she doesn't buy the sheriff department's explanation.

"It doesn't seem fair and seems all mixed up. I'm upset and disappointed. Who is making these decisions? What if I'm one of those casualties? It's a scary thought," said Preston.

Goldstein said if there is vaccine left over it will be turned over to the county.

As for the federal facility, it has ordered more vaccine for high-risk inmates, but there is no delivery date set.