H1N1 flu vaccine reaches the Public | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fresno, CA We just spoke to someone at the health department who said the first shipment of the nasal spray vaccine still hasn't arrived. And when it does, only a very specific part of the population will be able to get it.

Dr. Ron Lichtenstein, Ob-Gyn said: "I get literally dozens of inquiries a day from pregnant patients every day who want to get the vaccine."

Each one of dr. Ron Lichtenstein's patients have 2 lives they need to protect, theirs and their baby's. Because the h1n1 flu is hitting expecting mothers especially hard, the ob-gyn will make sure all of them are vaccinated for it.

Dr. Ron Lichtenstein, ob-gyn said: "No question about it, every woman who is pregnant should get it. Because of the lower immunity, if she gets it her life is in danger and the life of her baby is in danger and there's no other way of preventing it. "

There's always a risk of side effects, usually it's very mild.

David Lucchini with the Fresno County Health Department is expecting nearly 9,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine this week.

But women expecting a child and people with chronic illness will not be among the first to get it because their immune systems aren't strong enough. They'll have to wait until the government releases the injectible vaccine in the next couple weeks.

Those who will get the first round of the nasal mist are the most vulnerable: children 2-10 years old, parents and caregivers of babies 6 months and younger.

For everyone else, Lucchini recommends weighing the risks and benefits of the H1N1 vaccine with their doctor.

David Lucchini, Fresno County Health Department said: "I think they need to work closely with their health care provider, that's an important decision and you need to make sure you get the straight facts. "

In an exclusive action news poll conducted by Survey UUSA, we asked 600 adults in the valley if they plan to get the H1N1 vaccine:

56% of you said yes.

40% said no.

Of the 240 people not getting the vaccine:
37% don't believe it is safe.
15% don't believe the vaccine will work.
11% cited cost as the reason
And 26% cited another reason for staying away from the H1N1 flu vaccine.

There's an ongoing debate about whether health care workers should be required to get the h1n1 vaccine. The California nurses association believes every nurse should get it, but should have the right to decline it.

Children's hospital and other health care providers we talked to are strongly recommending their employees get the vaccine -- but they say cannot mandate it.