Children vaccinated for H1N1 in Salina

Last Update: 11/02 10:52 am

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SALINA, Kansas – The Salina-Saline County Health Department is one of the first in the state to offer an H1N1 vaccination clinic for children. Hundreds turned out Thursday in Salina for the free vaccine, which is administered to children who live in Saline County.

Over 800 doses of the vaccine are available at the clinic and officials say they're hoping to use all of them.

The line wrapped around Salina’s 4-H building. Outside, the kids were happy to play, but inside it was a different story. Some kids were trying to hide from their protection from the H1N1 virus. Kids older than two years old received the flu mist and toddlers, like nine-month-old Allison, were given the shot.

"I think a lot of parents are concerned,” said Cherie Adkins, Allison’s mom. “There's been a lot of talk of it being more devastating to the younger kids, so we want to make sure that they get vaccinated, because it's affecting the younger kids and since it's free, that's very helpful. “So it's great that they put this on."

The health department is following CDC priority guidelines and focusing its efforts on kids who can be hit harder by the virus and also need two vaccine doses.

Since the vaccine is new, the body doesn't recognize it right away and a second dose is necessary. The health department plans to give that second dose in four weeks, if there's enough of the vaccine.

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