Healthy Kids Vaccinated First

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By Katie Ussin

Story Published: Oct 6, 2009 at 6:35 PM MST

Story Updated: Oct 7, 2009 at 5:44 AM MST

BILLINGS - Healthy 2 and 4 year olds will be the first in Yellowstone County to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu strain.

A free vaccination clinic will be held Saturday, October 10th on a first come first served basis, and as of right now that is the only age group county health officials are giving it to.

Officials with Riverstone Health said they will receive 800 doses of the nasal mist vaccine in the first shipment. They will hold a free vaccination clinic for healthy children ages two to four years this Saturday, October 10th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the West High School gym.

Lil Anderson, health officer for Yellowstone County, said this priority age group of children was chosen as the first to get the vaccine because they have the best immune response from the nasal spray. Anderson said the vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal flu shot but with a different flu strain.

"When we vaccinate people it isn't always to protect the individual it is to protect someone who is not as healthy as we are and if they contract the disease they could become very, very ill and die," said Anderson.

Here is who Anderson said can be vaccinated Saturday, children ages 2-to-4 who: are not allergic to eggs, don't have a history of Guillian Barre syndrome, don't have a weakened immune system, aren't on long-term aspirin treatment, don't have a chronic disease, aren't sick with a cold or other illness at time of vaccination, and haven't received a vaccination within the past 28 days.

All children vaccinated Saturday will need a booster vaccination after a month.

Anderson said as of right now, Riverstone Health is the only agency with the vaccine, and she does not know when they will get more. Anderson said their decision on who will get the vaccine will change from week to week according to what their vaccine allotment is from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the drug manufacturers. She said they are seeing more people sick with the flu earlier this year than in the past.

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washeju said on Monday, Oct 12 at 9:11 PM

dr.'s only have the facts that were provided by pfiezer...do you think they are unbiast? There is too much controversy around immunizations. Neither of my kids have ever been immunized nor have I or my mother or my grandmother...doing just fine with out. My brother however went to live with my dad when he was about 8. My dad took him and had all his immunizations done...now my brother suffers from regular bronchitis infections that appeared directly after having immunizations. Coincidence?

grayhorse said on Monday, Oct 12 at 5:02 PM

At least your kid will be a live and later a well guinea pig. People should not listen to those not wanting a shot...your children need to see good health and common sense go hand in hand not myths. Get the facts from your Dr.'s and stop this nonsense.

skeptical mom said on Wednesday, Oct 7 at 12:08 PM

I would rather let my children get a mild case of the flu than line them up as guinea pigs for a vaccine that's been fast-tracked and barely tested. http://socioecohistory.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/dr-russell-blaylock-vaccine-may-be-more-dangerous-than-swine-flu/

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