November 20, 2009
Boise, Idaho
'A Logistical Nightmare'
Thousands wait in line but there are new questions about whether or not everyone who was vaccinated actually fit in a priority group. By Michael Calcagno
BOISE - While thousands lined up the get the swine flu vaccine this weekend across the country, health officials are coming under fire as to how strict the enforcement is of the released priority groups.
The groups set by Central District Health include the groups most at risk of health complication if they were to get the H1N1 virus. Pregnant women, parents caring for children under six months, children under four years and healthcare workers all make the list. But now questions are coming up - are the people who need the shot the most the ones actually getting the vaccine? CDHD spokesman Dave Fotsch says there's no way to know for certain. "We're relying on people to be honest with us," he said. "We're not going to challenge them. We're going to take their word for it and hope they're not trying to game the system. If they do that they're denying the vaccine from someone who could really use it." Some who waited in line for hours say many people around them didn't seem to fit the priority groups. "It just frustrates me because there are a lot of people in line who aren't high risk," said Alison Mahoney, mother of two. Across the country the same questions are being asked at clinics like the ones held in the Boise area. In Nevada one health official says to verify everyone would be a logistical nightmare. In Montana officials are requiring pregnant women to have a note from their doctor and proof of residency. "You don't want to take away a good vaccine from someone who may really need it -- who's not quite healthy," said Jacques Leblanc, a father who brought his kids to the vaccination clinic this weekend. For the latest information about where and when vaccinations clinics will be held go to http://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/ or call the CDHD Flu Hotline 321-2222. |
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