Oct 4, 2009 11:09 pm US/Eastern
Regular Flu Vaccine Pushed Prior To H1N1 Vaccine
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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With two Maryland children dead from the H1N1 virus, the state is preparing to receive its first doses of the vaccine.
CBS
As concern escalates surrounding the H1N1 flu following the death of two Maryland youths,
Derek Valcourt reports health officials are making the regular flu vaccine a priority before the H1N1 vaccine hits Maryland.
In Howard County you just drive up, stick your arm out the window and get a free flu vaccination.
"We had to do it because we have a new baby and she's only three weeks old tonight," said a parent.
Nearly 6,000 folks lined up early Sunday, and it wasn't even the swine flu vaccine, just the regular seasonal flu shot.
"F
lu shot and mist makers have switched over to making the H1N1 or swine flu vaccine, so the seasonal flu vaccine is actually harder to come by. So this is actually one of the best places to get the seasonal flu vaccine," said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard County Health Department.
A similar drive-thru vaccination event was held in Anne Arundel County Saturday. Local health departments, making a push for the seasonal flu shots now, know in a few weeks they will be focusing much of their attention on giving out the eagerly awaited H1N1 vaccine which could be delivered to Maryland this week.
"We don't want to create a sense of panic. We want to roll this out in a methodical way," said John Colmers, Secretary of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The H1N1 vaccine arrives just as the level of concern from parents sky-rocketed after the virus caused the deaths of two children in Maryland, including 14-year-old Destinee Parker of Baltimore.
Parker was reportedly healthy until she contracted the virus.
"It was important before, but now it's very important," said Tiah Bryant, parent. "Children are dying. Crazy things are happening from not having the flu shot."
The state says kids over two will be a priority for the limited amount of H1N1 vaccines the state will receive this week.
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