Swine Flu Vaccine to be Distributed to Healthcare Workers First

Healthcare workers around the state could start receiving H1N1 vaccines as early as this week.

The first ten thousand doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine have made it to Mississippi. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how those at greatest risk are being asked to step to the front of the line.

Swine flu vaccinations could begin as early as this week with nasal spraying of health care workers in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Mississippi Department of Health Spokesperson, Liz Sharlot says the spray can be used by anyone ages 2 to 49 who are in good health. Sharlot says more vaccines including injections are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

“We will let the public know what we are doing with each shipment and will certainly let the public know when it is available for the general public as well. Your best protection will be two vaccines, your seasonal flu vaccine and your swine flu vaccine. In the mean time practice your good hygiene and please, please if you’re sick stay home from work and keep your children home from school.”

MDH officials say there have been more than 900 confirmed cases of swine flu in Mississippi. At least 7 have resulted in death. But those statistics are not enough to convince MaryAnn Wilson of Ridgeland to take the vaccine.

“I remember when I was a kid getting the polio vaccine. You know I’m not downplaying that’s it’s probably a bad virus but I just think that there’s too much hype about it. I just think that people need to be careful not just about that but about everything they do and just hope for the best.”

“The vaccine’s safe.”

That's Dr. Skip Nolan, Infectious Disease Doctor at University medical Center.

“It’s amazing the amount of disinformation that is floating around and about. All the horrible side effects the vaccines have caused and all the toxins that are in it and all the bad things that can happen. And that’s really just not the case. And I think it’s tremendously misguided on the part of people who want to characterize the vaccine as some sort of government plot to poison people.”

As more doses come into the state health dept clinics will give priority for the free vaccine to pregnant women, children and students. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.