Vermont has had its first death from the H1N1 flu virus. Health officials wouldn't release any details about the person who died, other than to say it was an adult with a serious underlying condition.

The Health department has said swine flu is now widespread in Vermont, with a significant increase in the illness over the past week. Meanwhile, the H1N1 vaccine has been in short supply.

To make matters worse, state health officials say 800 doses of the vaccine have been destroyed due to a refrigeration problem.

Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says the doses were lost as a result of a malfunctioning refrigeration unit at one of the Health Department's 12 regional offices. Officials would not say which one.

About 38,000 doses of the vaccine had been received in Vermont by the end of last week, and 350,000 more are expected by mid-January.