BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- No children can visit Kern Medical Center. The new restriction started Tuesday.

A KMC hospital staff member sits at a table at the entrance to the hospital lobby asking every passer-by, "Do you want some hand sanitizer? We're trying to prevent swine flu."

That may seem like a small precaution compared to the large sign next to her, prohibiting children from visiting the hospital. Kern Medical Center's CEO, Paul Hensler, said children under 18 years of age are prohibited from visiting because they have the highest risk of contracting and spreading the swine flu. They pose a major threat to the hospital, which houses 32 confirmed or suspected cases of H1N1 and has not received any H1N1 vaccines.

"Although children are already high risk because of their association with school, we don't want to spread H1N1 from our patients to visitors and take it back out to the community," said Hensler.

The new rule only applies to children visiting the hospital. Any children entering the hospital to seek medical attention can still go in.

Security stands guard in the lobby of the hospital where children are forced to wait. They cannot enter patients' rooms or care units. Parents told ABC 23 it's worth the inconvenience if it means protecting their child and others from getting sick.

"It's OK that kids can't enter because they could contract a serious or deadly illness," said Gustavo Cardellanes. "So in a way their lives depend on this rule."

"I really want to take care of my baby and all the babies in this hospital, so that's why I really agree with that one," Edith Ramirez said.

"Until the risk to our vulnerable patients has gone away comma we'll continue to enforce various restrictions," said Hensler.

Other restrictions include prohibiting visitors with flu-like symptoms, requiring face masks in certain areas of the hospital and adding hand sanitizers throughout the facility.

"It's a major effort to protect our vulnerable patients and children," said Hensler.