H1N1 Flu Mist “Tickles”

Mobile Mobile County  Kids aren't lining up for the H1N1 flu vaccine.  Only 18% of Mobile County Students have returned permission slips to get the mist.
by Jessica Taloney
Published: Mon, November 30, 2009 - 5:27 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, December 01, 2009 - 11:38 am CST
MOBILE, Alabama - Four year old T.J. Herrington would rather just play with his transformers, but today he's getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.

"I don't want to do it," he told his dad, while fiddling with his toy. "Now get up there," his dad told him.

T.J. isn't the only one leary of the nasal mist. Only 18% of kids in Mobile County have returned signed permission slips to get the vaccine in school. Tuesday, health officials will begin administering the mist at Augusta Evans, Just 4 Developmental Labratory, Dauphin Island Elementary and the Regional School for the Deaf and Blind.

"It is a misconception to think because it is a live virus, people around you are going to get sick or you're going to sick," said Aldina Jones, a nurse with the Mobile County Health Department. "It's just a different way to build immunity."

Health officials insist the mist is safe and much easier for kids than the needle.

When little T.J. finally got the mist, even he said it's not so bad.

"It tickled," says T.J.

Mobile County schools will stagger their vaccine clinics through December 21st, but school officials have not released a list of when each school will hold their clinic.

Thursday, Baldwin County schools will begin administering the vaccine, and elementary schools in Saraland, Clarke County and Washington County will do the same.


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